Good Bye Anaheim

Two nights of Anaheim and that’s all she could take. U2 packs up and hits the road today on to Baltimore, MD.

Memphis Mullen hits the road too early this am, traveling all the way to the east coast. The ride will be filled with memories and great tunes of the shows past. 6 shows down and well a couple more to go. While road tripping to every show across America seems so Jerry Garcia like this adventure is more about getting the ultimate fan book right. Making that connection between music, fans and of course the band. U2 has the connection when you strip all of the trappings of the machine ( nameless ) that creates the new image of U2.

Most fans will agree that U2 in some ways with the new “machine” has lost its touch with its fans,last nights show the boys took a helicopter in to the venue and a runner afterwards left some fans with a sour taste.  Its not the bands idea of how to arrive to a venue. So who is the machine, well you have think about the 360 deal that they signed years ago to understand who the machine is and how they operate. Maximum impact marketing for maximum returns for shareholders. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. Just remember the fans are the ones that keep the lights on.

Anaheim II had a bit of surprise visit from “The Fly” and the setlist seemed to be a setup for Glastonbury wtith the mix of Actung Baby songs. “The Fly” was last performed on December 9th 2006 in Hawaii. Streets moved up early in the set and a couple of other little changes. Bono and the boys paid tribute to The Big Man  Clarence Clemons who pasted away the day earlier.  Bono sang a couple of lyrics from Jungleland a Springsteen fan favorite.

At its best moments — and there were so, so many — the show instantly brought back that magical feeling of old U2 shows, be it with the sublime beauty of “Miss Sarajevo,”, the always spine-tingling “Where The Streets Have No Name,” a glorious “Moment Of Surrender,” the anthemic “Walk On,” and the thrilling call to yesteryear, “I Will Follow,” from their debut album, 1980’s Boy.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the production, though, is that the much documented and hyped four-tentacled structure engulfing the band and those closest in the pit actually does succeed in giving off the feeling of intimacy. Yes, while in a stadium setting and among 70,000 fans, at times if felt as if it was just the band and its music — an apt reminder of why U2 earned the title of biggest band in the world.

We will see you in Baltimore. Thanks Anaheim fans we had a great time.

Stolen In Anahiem Memphis Mullen Car Mags

No way would a U2 fan steal car magnet signs of our writer Memphis Mullen -

This is amazing we have been to many cities on this tour and not once has anyone stolen the magnet signs on the car. Heck we would be glad to give you a bumper sticker or even a picture of the sign if you really wanted one. Now we want on signs back today ! U2 Fans in Anahiem you will spot someone today riding around our magnet signs on their car. This the car that we are using this tour - So if you see them on any other car they are not associated with us.

We want them back before we leave town tonight after the show ! You spot our signs call our hotline today !


 

 

 

 

Anaheim Take me Higher

Memphis Mullen: The U2 360 show in Anaheim had the best energy so far of the five shows I’ve seen in the US on this leg. The audience was really into it. It was the same set list as the previous US shows this leg.

I spent the day in my hotel room conserving my energy for tonight’s show. I left for Angels Stadium at 2pm. I got a little lost walking to the stadium - I went the wrong way twice. I got to the stadium shortly after 2:30, even though the stadium is just a few blocks from my hotel. I was tired and sweaty, as June Gloom brought the humidity today. I think I got a little overheated and dehydrated because I had a terrible migraine the rest of the day and throughout the show.

Arriving at the stadium, I noticed 2 GA lines on opposite sides of the stadium. I walked around to where I thought the band would drive in and found most of my friends already there waiting. Of course we were all in the wrong place, so we moved around to the right place about a half hour later. U2 arrived around 4pm, not in their usual black towncars, but all in one white van. No one stopped, but Larry did smile as he drove by - I like to think it was because he saw my Larry Mullen Band shirt. This was the first time Bono has not stopped in the US this leg.

We got in the GA line and listened to the soundcheck, which included both The Fly and Ultra Violet but neither were played in tonight’s show. We entered the stadium just after 5pm, got our stamps to re-enter the inner circle and then went up to the stands to sit and relax in the shade. Anaheim Stadium is a beautiful baseball park. Lenny Kravitz and his band arrived to the stage in golf carts. They played from 7:30 to about 8:15 and the same set list as the previous four shows I’ve seen.

After Lenny’s performance, I went back to wait for U2 to walk in. The venue security tried to get us to leave, but Rocco told them we were allowed to stay there to wait for the band. U2 walked to the stage just after 9pm and Larry once again smiled and waved at me as he entered.

The inner circle was very crowded, probably because of all the VIPs. I stayed behind the stage for the entire show, which is fine because that’s the best view of Larry anyway. Bono’s band introductions were great. He thanked Larry for everything that U2 was, saying they would be nothing without him. Bono also brought Paul McGuinness on stage for the first time ever. Yesterday was Paul’s birthday, so we sang Happy Birthday to him.

During With or Without You, I went back to wait for U2 to leave. I stood in the same place I did in Seattle, hoping that Larry would once again grace me with a handshake. He didn’t, but he did smile and wave at me. So a smile and wave from Larry on the way into the show and on the way out of the show isn’t too shabby.

Tomorrow there is another U2 360 show at Angels Stadium in Anaheim. This is the only time in the US that U2 are playing two back to back shows in the same city, so hopefully they will change up the set list a bit. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to blog about it tomorrow night or post videos or pics. I have to get right to sleep in preparation for my 3000 mile cross country drive to make it to the Baltimore U2 360 show on Wednesday. Please send good thoughts my way :)
 

U2 Advisory for Anaheim

 

Anaheim: U2 arrives today in Orange Country and expect traffic to be major, above normal for the whole area around Angles stadium. We have a few updates from around the area that are important for you -

U2 performs at the Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Friday and Saturday. The show begins at 7 p.m., but the stadium parking lot will be open at 8 a.m. to facilitate the wrist-banding process for those who have field tickets. (GA Ticket Holders) Doors will open at 5 p.m.

U2 fans are encouraged  to carpool to reduce the number of vehicles attempting to locate
parking.( Check out U2ROCKBUS.com)

• Alternate off-site parking will be available at Honda Center and other areas
surrounding Angel Stadium.

• Please follow the directions of traffic control personnel, who wish to get you to the
closest parking locations in a timely manner.

• The possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the parking lots of
Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Honda Center is prohibited, and police will be
enforcing this law.

• Re-sale or purchase of tickets from re-salers on stadium property is prohibited.

• To prevent from being victimized by counterfeiters, you should purchase event tickets
from authorized dealers & brokers.

More than 50,000 fans are expected, and officials advised concert-goers to arrive early, carpool and take public transportation is possible.

General parking at Angel Stadium is $25 per car, cash only. Parking will also be available at the Honda Center, and it will also be cash only.

Metrolink will provide special train service on both concert days. The round-trip ride to the Anaheim Station from the L.A. Union Station and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station is $7.

U2 SPECIAL TRAIN SCHEDULE

Southbound

  • Los Angeles Union Station: Departs at 5:50 p.m.
  • Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs: 6:11 p.m.
  • Buena Park 6:17 p.m.
  • Fullerton 6:24 p.m.
  • Anaheim: Arrival at 6:33 p.m.

Northbound

  • Laguna Niguel: Departs at 5:50 p.m.
  • Irvine: 5:59 p.m.
  • Tustin: 6:07 p.m.
  • Santa Ana: 6:13 p.m.
  • Orange: 6:18 p.m.
  • Anaheim: 6:22 p.m.

We will update as more details come in - Meantime get up and get out and ready to Shake your ass !

Spider After Party Secure Deal

Bono’s Spidey Sense sure was tingling on Tuesday night.

After a rousing, fist-pumping appearance at the opening-night performance of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” the U2 front man’s paranoia took center stage for the $65 million musical’s after-party at Bowlmor Lanes Midtown.

“It was the most high-security event I’ve ever been to,” says a source familiar with the situation.

According to the insider, Bono had his security team thoroughly sweep the nightspot before his arrival.

“They did multiple walk-throughs ahead of time to make sure everything was secure and swept the closets to make sure no one was in them.” (Julie Taymor, perhaps?)

Bono also kept the guest list to his private VIP area tighter than Spider-Man’s Spandex suit. Only preapproved friends, family and celebrities, including Cindy Crawford, her husband, club owner Rande Gerber, and Julian Lennon were permitted to keep him company.

The source adds that cast members such as T.V. Carpio, who plays Arachne in the musical, tried to gain entrance to Bono’s inner sanctum but were turned away.

“He wanted to be left alone because he is Bono,” says the source.

Perhaps the charismatic celebrity felt he’d done his part for the problem-plagued show at the Foxwoods Theater, where he sat next to Bill Clinton and one row behind Jay-Z.

Bono remained relatively reserved during Act I of “Spider-Man.” The show features music and lyrics written by him and his U2 bandmate The Edge.

By Act II, however, Bono could hardly contain himself. As Reeve Carney, who plays Peter Parker, belted out the final notes of the musical number “The Boy Falls From the Sky,” Bono shot out of his seat, pumped his first and shouted in triumph. (Clinton, on the other hand, kept it presidential.)

When the final curtain fell, he practically jumped over Clinton to take the stage and do a few bows with The Edge.

He also took the mic to explain why the show took 16 months and 2½ times its original cost to officially open.

“We had to save ‘Spider-Man’ because ‘Spider-Man’ has to save New York,” Bono said.

The rock star then retreated to a makeshift VIP room in the theater. There, says a source, he hosted Clinton, Jay-Z, Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Mayor Bloomberg and Jimmy Fallon, among others, before heading to a very secure Bowlmo


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2011/06/16/2011-06-16_at_spiderman_musical_afterparty_u2s_bono_keeps_a_tight_guest_list_at_bowlmor_in_.html#ixzz1PREzUfUi

GA Line Starts in Anaheim

Who are you ? Fans already standing, sleeping, eating or just kicking around some time. We want to know who you are ? Why are you already lined up almost 3 days before the show. Who is paying you to stand in line ?

Send us some daily photos of your line experience fans around the world want to know why ? Memphis Mullen has not even arrived to the venue  yet so your ahead of the game - Well good luck to you the mighty fan.

U2TOURFANS.2011@twitpic.com

U2 Wave from Around the world

Spidey Opens Today

In their fullest comments yet about the creative clashes this winter inside “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” Bono and the Edge, of U2 — first-time Broadway composers — said they originally embraced Julie Taymor’s script and characters for the show but were wholly ill-prepared for putting her ambitious ideas onstage. They ultimately lost faith in her and quietly maneuvered to overhaul “Spider-Man,” before finally shocking Ms. Taymor, their longtime collaborator, with her ouster in March.

Bono and the Edge expressed regret at not being on site during previews in December, saying they were locked into a U2 tour of New Zealand and Australia. Most Broadway composers, both veterans and especially newcomers, are in their theaters virtually every night during previews, watching and taking notes. The Edge said they watched videos of performances from Australia yet were not in the theater again until early January, by which time the musical had become a late-night TV punch line.

They then went to work on sound design and new lyrics; despite hints and promises of new music, however, there is only one fully new song in the show, a version of which had been pitched to Ms. Taymor.

Even now, Bono and the Edge said, the musical is just 90 percent complete, with a final 10 percent of work — in their view, chiefly involving the relationship between Peter Parker and the villain, the Green Goblin — to be done this summer.

“The first time I loved ‘Spider-Man’ was two and a half weeks ago,” he admitted, but added, “Even when I was really angry about its obtuse story and some of the awful readings of the music — even then I was still saying, it was kind of magical.”

Well lets see what the reviews are.

Bono and The Edge will also be on NBC Nightly News on Tuesday with  Anchorman Brian Williams