Larnyboy - Have you ever been to a show in the U.S.? Are the restrictions you're referring to about how many people can be jammed into a given square foot place? bringing stuff into the show? At least we don't have to stand in the rain for hours on end, which we did at some shows in the U.K. Don't go talking about things you know nothing about, and what's up with your spelling of amurica? hmmm...
Exclusive: U2 Tour To Kick Off March 1 - Billboard
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U2Cheryl said:
Beacause love its a Mur of a place i can say what i like because ive got my freedom,the rain aint bad ,u dry out ,u see we havent got them super astro sky view Blowme Domes over here ,we like to keep in touch with the bands
Thank u annndddd good night
ps. i have been to some shows in the good ole US of A and ya beer taste like PISS,
Detroit where the Pistons play ,i thought it was a POO POO place
Hay but if u like it Ches ,u go girl
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bono=genius
The Fly
when do the tickets go on sale?
Yahweh_OMG
New Yorker
Elevation tour had close to 80 dates in North America. The United States has the two of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, NY and Los Angeles.
(http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa072897.htm)
75 percent of the US population lives within a days drive of each other. (and the other 25 percent are all within a day or so on the West Coast) That is something like 210 million people. Not counting Canada. Most new US arenas actually sound good (i.e. LA Staples, Boston Fleet) and U2 has historically toured very heavily in the US. I understand the EU point of view, but I would be hard pressed to believe that U2 could sell out (or book) 80 European shows (each holding on the avg of 20,000) in one year. Does anyone tour that heavily in Europe? Madonna didn't, McCartney didn't, maybe I am wrong. Just doesn't seem like much of a debate.
Hum hum......let me just say that the only non-soldout date of the Elevation Tour was in the US..... it was short of 1500 people...
Anyway, it's not a a question of who is better or not, but when you say that 80 dates in Europe couldn't be sold out, it is totally wrong. In 2001 U2 returned to Zurich for the first time since 1993 and U2 was planned to play 1 show the 23 rd of July..... it sold out in 4 minutes and nobody I know could get tickets. They finally put another extra show the day after that sold out in 8 minutes...... 30 000 tickets in 12 minutes........ they could have sold probably more than 80 000 just in Switzerland..... and we are only 7 million.....
U2 plays more in the US, does SNL, surprise concert in NY and stuff like that because they have an obsession about the US and want to conqueer it! However, when I was in New Orleans ,La in 1997, the Popmart concert in the Superdome was half full..... the saddest show ever probably...... it never happened in Europe, as I know.
(http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa072897.htm)
75 percent of the US population lives within a days drive of each other. (and the other 25 percent are all within a day or so on the West Coast) That is something like 210 million people. Not counting Canada. Most new US arenas actually sound good (i.e. LA Staples, Boston Fleet) and U2 has historically toured very heavily in the US. I understand the EU point of view, but I would be hard pressed to believe that U2 could sell out (or book) 80 European shows (each holding on the avg of 20,000) in one year. Does anyone tour that heavily in Europe? Madonna didn't, McCartney didn't, maybe I am wrong. Just doesn't seem like much of a debate.
Hum hum......let me just say that the only non-soldout date of the Elevation Tour was in the US..... it was short of 1500 people...
Anyway, it's not a a question of who is better or not, but when you say that 80 dates in Europe couldn't be sold out, it is totally wrong. In 2001 U2 returned to Zurich for the first time since 1993 and U2 was planned to play 1 show the 23 rd of July..... it sold out in 4 minutes and nobody I know could get tickets. They finally put another extra show the day after that sold out in 8 minutes...... 30 000 tickets in 12 minutes........ they could have sold probably more than 80 000 just in Switzerland..... and we are only 7 million.....
U2 plays more in the US, does SNL, surprise concert in NY and stuff like that because they have an obsession about the US and want to conqueer it! However, when I was in New Orleans ,La in 1997, the Popmart concert in the Superdome was half full..... the saddest show ever probably...... it never happened in Europe, as I know.
Yahweh_OMG said:
Actually, I believe U2 had appalling attendance in Germany during Popmart. Their European attendance record isn't perfect either.
I think we need to remember two things:
1. U2 can't tour if they don't make a profit. Well, they could fund it out of their back pocket, but who's going to do that? Touring is about making a profit.
2. U2 have such a large fan base that they cannot satisfy all of it. While I am a bit resentful that they devote so much time to the US, I am thankful I will be able to travel there to see shows, and furthermore, I can understand why, as the US is the most profitable market in the world. At least they are satisfying SOME of their fanbase, which is better than sitting on their arses in Dublin and not talking to anyone.
jedi Larry
The Fly
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I think selling tickets in the EU is not a problem at all. Alot depends on the size of the arenas.
Too bad shows there seem relegated to huge stadiums.
Too bad shows there seem relegated to huge stadiums.
wtonis
War Child
I agree with you Jedi Larry; European arenas are too small. They usually have a capacity ranging from 8.000 to 15.000. U2 playing arenas like this will sell-out within 2 minutes. I remember tix-sales at ZOO TV in '92. I was number 2 at the box office (we have about 160 selling points in Holland). At the box office I was at, only 4 people got tickets......
It is cool to see the band in a small arena, though...
-Will
It is cool to see the band in a small arena, though...
-Will
jedi Larry
The Fly
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You're in Holland? How far is Rotterdam and Feynoord stadium? That would be like me going to Vegas to see a show. Just drive across the state line.
That's another thing about Europe. You can play shows in one place and draw from several metro areas.
In the states only the northeast is set up like that. It's just so big and spread out in some places.
They still should visit Europe and do a thorough arena tour sometime.
That's another thing about Europe. You can play shows in one place and draw from several metro areas.
In the states only the northeast is set up like that. It's just so big and spread out in some places.
They still should visit Europe and do a thorough arena tour sometime.
mtnfox
Refugee
Just read this on U2.com:
10.12.2004
Tour To Kick off March, Tickets January
U2 will begin a ten month world tour on March 1st in the US, manager Paul McGuinness has told U2.Com.
The band are set to play 115 shows beginning in Florida in the Spring, reaching Europe in June, heading back to North America in the Autumn before finishing up in Japan and Australia in November and December.
In an interview with U2.Com, Paul McGuinness revealed that two different productions were underway for the tour as it would open indoors in the US and then play outdoors through the summer in Europe. ‘Willie Williams and Mark Fisher are already at work on designing the shows.’
Some dates and venues are still being finalized - no official announcement will be made until the New Year .
McGuinness said he had had no doubt that ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’ was going to be one of the bands most popular records – not only is ‘Vertigo’ a worldwide hit but the advance orders for the new album outstripped those of ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’, which went on to sell more than 10m copies to date.
Still, on the day of the US release, there was no harm in judging first hand if the initial industry signs would be borne out by popular interest .
‘When we were on the truck making the video in New York, - which was a bit scary at times, with so many fans following us - it was the day of the American release, and you could tell as we passed the retailers that people were buying the record.’
At the end of filming, after the free concert under Brooklyn Bridge, McGuinness had a celebratory cocktail with Doug Morris, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group and Jimmy Iovine who heads up Interscope.
‘We thought we’d see how the album was going,’ he said. ‘So we popped down to Sam Goody’s music store by Radio City and when we went in, there was only one copy left – so I bought it!
‘They told us they’d been re-ordering it all day.’
Next the threesome walked down to Times Square to the Virgin store. ‘The racks were being filled and emptied as we watched – they were even selling imported vinyl copies.’
But all of this was no great surprise to the man who has been managing U2 for more than a quarter of a century – they do know how to kick off an album release in style. The free gig was a great idea he said, and the collaboration with iTunes on ‘Vertigo’ had reminded the public in no uncertain terms that U2 were back. That said - they take nothing for granted.
‘Every time a new record comes out, I say that we have to break the band again.’
As for the 2005 tour, he predicts it will be as exciting as ever – some of the new songs are just begging for live performance. While the exact tour itinerary should be announced in the New Year, with tickets on sale later in January, members of U2.Com will get a window of opportunity ahead of everyone else to buy tickets of their choice at every venue.
10.12.2004
Tour To Kick off March, Tickets January
U2 will begin a ten month world tour on March 1st in the US, manager Paul McGuinness has told U2.Com.
The band are set to play 115 shows beginning in Florida in the Spring, reaching Europe in June, heading back to North America in the Autumn before finishing up in Japan and Australia in November and December.
In an interview with U2.Com, Paul McGuinness revealed that two different productions were underway for the tour as it would open indoors in the US and then play outdoors through the summer in Europe. ‘Willie Williams and Mark Fisher are already at work on designing the shows.’
Some dates and venues are still being finalized - no official announcement will be made until the New Year .
McGuinness said he had had no doubt that ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’ was going to be one of the bands most popular records – not only is ‘Vertigo’ a worldwide hit but the advance orders for the new album outstripped those of ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’, which went on to sell more than 10m copies to date.
Still, on the day of the US release, there was no harm in judging first hand if the initial industry signs would be borne out by popular interest .
‘When we were on the truck making the video in New York, - which was a bit scary at times, with so many fans following us - it was the day of the American release, and you could tell as we passed the retailers that people were buying the record.’
At the end of filming, after the free concert under Brooklyn Bridge, McGuinness had a celebratory cocktail with Doug Morris, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group and Jimmy Iovine who heads up Interscope.
‘We thought we’d see how the album was going,’ he said. ‘So we popped down to Sam Goody’s music store by Radio City and when we went in, there was only one copy left – so I bought it!
‘They told us they’d been re-ordering it all day.’
Next the threesome walked down to Times Square to the Virgin store. ‘The racks were being filled and emptied as we watched – they were even selling imported vinyl copies.’
But all of this was no great surprise to the man who has been managing U2 for more than a quarter of a century – they do know how to kick off an album release in style. The free gig was a great idea he said, and the collaboration with iTunes on ‘Vertigo’ had reminded the public in no uncertain terms that U2 were back. That said - they take nothing for granted.
‘Every time a new record comes out, I say that we have to break the band again.’
As for the 2005 tour, he predicts it will be as exciting as ever – some of the new songs are just begging for live performance. While the exact tour itinerary should be announced in the New Year, with tickets on sale later in January, members of U2.Com will get a window of opportunity ahead of everyone else to buy tickets of their choice at every venue.
U2.COM presale
Hiya guys! Just got the message from U2.com about subscribing for $40 and getting a guarranteed advance pair of tickets. What do you guys think, is it worth doing? I think $40 is quite a lot and i doubt that there will be a guarranteed pair of tickets for everyone who joins, because of course EVERYONE will join! Anyone has any idea bout when the tickets for Europe shows will go on sale?
xxx
joanna
Hiya guys! Just got the message from U2.com about subscribing for $40 and getting a guarranteed advance pair of tickets. What do you guys think, is it worth doing? I think $40 is quite a lot and i doubt that there will be a guarranteed pair of tickets for everyone who joins, because of course EVERYONE will join! Anyone has any idea bout when the tickets for Europe shows will go on sale?
xxx
joanna
Blue Room said:
I understand that N. America (and Canada) is the most imporant market.
I also think U2 sells more in Europe and ROW together than it does in the US, and that should reflect itself in the shows. Not to mention they are Europeans.
The demand is obvoiusly not the problem, as U2 is again playing indoors in US, and are going back to stadiums in Europe. (and elsewhere?)
The one thing I'd change about U2's habits is less US, more rest-of-the-world on tours. Not only do you get them twice, you get as much - if not more - shows than everyone else combined . At least make one longer US leg, 5 or 6 months and move on.
Where is Asia (not just Japan - Stones played China and Peppers played Russia), S. America, new members of EU in the east and south parts of Europe?
U2 has heavily neglected all that, and it started with JT tour.
(I don't count Australia because they got a lot of U2 live over the years as well, though I don't agree with the "non profitable" excuse for not going there the last time around. Haven't they got enough money to cover any potential loss out of their pockets - or a promoter that would cover their backs in that case? Prefer money making over pissing off fans?)
And yet they travelled the most with their most expensive tours, Zoo TV and Popmart and far less with the comparable simpler/cheaper shows, JT and Elevation tour.
Go figure.
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As much praise as I have for U2s new album I am very skeptical about the new tour hitting all the important areas that should be hit, not to make a profit but to satisfy the fanbase, after all being a musician and especially being in a group like U2 you should satisify the client that is buying your product.
In my mind there is no question that all of Europe should be toured along with South America and Central America along with Africa. This is what U2 did well with the POPMART tour U2s only real world tour and I wish they would go back to that model instead of looking at making money in the short term. Touring these places will obviously make them money in the long term.
Going to places like Sarajevo should not be out of the question for U2 just because they cant make "profit", no question touring all of Europe is a no brainer.
In my mind there is no question that all of Europe should be toured along with South America and Central America along with Africa. This is what U2 did well with the POPMART tour U2s only real world tour and I wish they would go back to that model instead of looking at making money in the short term. Touring these places will obviously make them money in the long term.
Going to places like Sarajevo should not be out of the question for U2 just because they cant make "profit", no question touring all of Europe is a no brainer.
tkramer
War Child
You'd think 6-8 shows in S. America, and another 10-15 shows in Europe wouldn't be too big a deal to pull off, and it would make this board a lot happier, that's for sure...
But how many of us really knows what goes into producing a tour? There are things management contends with that we have no clue about. Everything from language barriers to political issues to a simple plug not working because your using one from the wrong hemisphere... Man, I wouldn't want it...
But how many of us really knows what goes into producing a tour? There are things management contends with that we have no clue about. Everything from language barriers to political issues to a simple plug not working because your using one from the wrong hemisphere... Man, I wouldn't want it...
have you stop for a moment to think how much money they're making per show? Let's say that the average ticket is $60. with a stadium of 60.000 people in Europe, they make $3.600.000 in one night. They can risk the financial loss, let's be honest...
jedi Larry
The Fly
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- Dec 2, 2004
- Messages
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I'm an american and even I can see they've really skimped on Euro shows ever since the JT tour.
It's ridiculous.
And I remember when a band like The Police visited India, Egypt, and other nations over 20(!) years ago.
McGuiness, pull U2's tours out of the cold war Western Europe/U.S. paradigm and mix it up to reflect the new reality.
I'd love to hear about shows again in So. America, as well as Malaysia, India, Africa, etc.
Paul Simon toured African nations like Senagal and others in the 80's. U2 can do it now so long as it's safe.
And they need to tour eastern europe properly for once, including Russia and/or Belarus, Baltics, etc.
Here's what an ambitious tour would be:
Leg 1: No. America - Mar-May '05 (Arenas)
Leg 2: Europe - May-Aug '05 (Stadiums/Arenas)
Leg 3: No. America - Aug-Oct '05 (Domes/Arenas)
Leg 4: Australia - Nov-Dec '05 (Arenas/Stadiums)
Leg 5: India,Singapore, HK, Japan - Dec '05 (arenas/domes)
Leg 6: So. America - Jan '06 (arenas/stadiums)
Leg 7: Africa, Middle East - Jan '06 (arenas/stadiums)
Leg 8: Record another album - Feb-Apr '06
Leg 9: Europe - May-August '06
The last time they covered europe decently was during the Zooropa leg in '93. They could be even more ambitious now.
It's ridiculous.
And I remember when a band like The Police visited India, Egypt, and other nations over 20(!) years ago.
McGuiness, pull U2's tours out of the cold war Western Europe/U.S. paradigm and mix it up to reflect the new reality.
I'd love to hear about shows again in So. America, as well as Malaysia, India, Africa, etc.
Paul Simon toured African nations like Senagal and others in the 80's. U2 can do it now so long as it's safe.
And they need to tour eastern europe properly for once, including Russia and/or Belarus, Baltics, etc.
Here's what an ambitious tour would be:
Leg 1: No. America - Mar-May '05 (Arenas)
Leg 2: Europe - May-Aug '05 (Stadiums/Arenas)
Leg 3: No. America - Aug-Oct '05 (Domes/Arenas)
Leg 4: Australia - Nov-Dec '05 (Arenas/Stadiums)
Leg 5: India,Singapore, HK, Japan - Dec '05 (arenas/domes)
Leg 6: So. America - Jan '06 (arenas/stadiums)
Leg 7: Africa, Middle East - Jan '06 (arenas/stadiums)
Leg 8: Record another album - Feb-Apr '06
Leg 9: Europe - May-August '06
The last time they covered europe decently was during the Zooropa leg in '93. They could be even more ambitious now.
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