I don't think this is comparable with Pop. You gotta remember that album wasn't received well at first, and it was barely out before the tour started.
At the moment I think U2 are way more popular with the concert going crowd than they were 12 years ago. They can sell out about anything I think.
Very true! I dont see it as comparable to Pop at all. The economy was spectacular in the US at the time, and that still did not keep U2 from missing a sell out a few times. It was definitely the way Pop was pushed out w/little promotion(outside of K-Mart!) and the tour started so quickly with little rehearsing. Plus, despite the fact that most of us here love Pop, so many truly did not get what the hell U2 was doing with the album or the tour with the big arch and lemon.
Again, despite what the popular opinion in these parts is, ATYCLB, HTDAAB and Elevation/Vertigo tours have made U2 the biggest band in the world again bar none. Hence, they will have absolutely no problem selling out where ever they play this time around, especially if they are only hitting cities for 1 or 2 nights as opposed to 7 or 9 like they did with Boston and NY on Vertigo.
The 360 set up will ensure no dead seats behind the stage, and more seats on the field/GA. Most stadiums will be able to get 70,000 or more in them. I know Gillette stadium in Massachusetts will be able to fit around 80,000 in this kind of set up.
Ticket prices on Vertigo went to $160 only(alot of misconceptions about "insane" prices for U2, I always have to point out to these people that they are talking about what E-BAy and scalpers are charging). I would say, much like many organizations have done for the recession, prices will freeze or go up a very little. I could see "brackets" starting at about $28 for nosebleeds 2 miles from the stage, with about 6 in between brackets going up to $160-185. GA will probably be around $50 again. U2 will still make their money then some on volume. We dont know how much they will spend on the staging/etc like Zoo/Pop, so we dont know the net profit or loss projection, but as far as gross receipts goes, they will make the same or better than Vertigo.
Vertigo Boston:7 nights in Boston Garden with 18,000 in each night gives us 126,000 Vertigo Boston attendees.
Horizon Boston:2 nights in Gillette Stadium with 75,000 each night gives us 150,000 Horizon Boston attendees.
Cause I'm going to aim for them too! But I'm not sure if I can afford going to all the shows, I at least want the three Amsterdam ones, the rest I'll see what tix I can get.
