Liesje said:
It's like that anywhere though. Per capita, the UK gets way MORE U2 than most places. Yeah, we here in the states got two legs, but keep in mind we have cities with more people than your country and single states ten times as big as your entire land. While still in one country, I've traveled (by driving) as such to U2 shows:
Chicago - 4 hours each way
Auburn Hills - 2.5 hours each way
Cleveland - 5.5 hours each way
Pittsburgh - 9 hours each way
St. Louis - 9 hours each way
Honolulu - um....yeah that's actually closer to Japan than it is to my hometown so just say 12 hours flying each way
Would've gone to Atlanta and Hartford if I'd had tickets and those would've been like 14 and 12 hour drives one way.
I'd piss my pants if I could take some trains to a show! As for lodging, just camp in the GA line and bring some dry foods. I prefer this b/c then you don't have to worry about affording a place to stay and transportation getting there.
Hmmm, slight exageration in some parts there! to begin with the highest populated state in the US is California with 33 million, compared to the UK with 56 million. The largest land area state is Texas, only just eclipsing the area of the UK.
During Vertigo the USA had 70 shows, the UK had 6. Seeing as the UK has one fifth the population of the USA, it does seem a bit thin on the ground. I know the fans in the USA have more distance to travel, but still I remain convinced the US has WAY more than its share of U2 gigs. But I'm sure there are sooo many more countries that would feel there should have been more shows there than they got.
Going back to the UK, yeah I see your point about the North-East. I'm sure a show at St James' would have attracted people from a wide range. Newcastle, Boro, Sunderland, Grimsby, Hull and a whole load of "those from the wrong side of the Pennines" (Yorkshire!).
Although I'm sure Bono thought he was in the North-East. During the Manchester show he called the venue the Stadium of Light! Ooops!
I was on hold for two hours trying to get tickets for Manchester (eventually successful). I think that shows how popular the tickets were in the UK. A show in the North-east and another in Scotland would have sold no problem.
If only they played at the Reebok!