Bring U2 to Boston in 2011

[nancyw]

Hi all,

There is a 6 day gap in the current tour schedule in between the Philly show and the NJ show. Would be a perfect place to put in a Boston show (or two). U2 fan extraordinaire, Beth, has contacted Carter Alan (at Boston radio station WZLX), who is credited with introducing U2 to the US) and he thinks it would be a great idea. He has started a Facebook page to get the movement going.

So please go to Facebook and join the group, Bring U2 to Boston. Let's see if we can make this happen!

Thanks,

NancyW

 

[phommel]

do you think Bono is on Facbook?

 

[powerhour24]

Agreed, it's ridiculous they're not coming back to New England, but my guess is they based their decision on the results of that Ticketmaster poll of Gillette attendees in 2009, which reflected poorly on Foxboro's logistics, not the band.

 

[SoupQRT]

No, I don't think Bono cruises FB but Carter Alan, the Boston DJ who introduced the band to the USA does. He started a page to support the cause and he is also in direct contact with the band. Carter may send a link on to the lads, who knows? We have got to try!Bring U2 to Boston | Facebook

 

[HBK-79]

If U2 were to come back to New England, they could do a show at Rentschler Field in East Hartford as an alternative to returning to Foxboro.

 

[powerhour24]

It's not worth getting half the crowd they'd get at Gillette, plus Hartford is no logistical picnic itself.

 

[Mark0930]

I'll take either Gillette or The Rent.... Just come back to New England!

 

[HBK-79]

Hartford is no logistical picnic itself.

What's wrong with Hartford?

 

[jesseu2]

a friend in Boston wanted me to post this....

Help Bring U2 Back To Boston ? 100.7 WZLX – Boston's Classic Rock

 

[phommel]

but why again to Boston?

they didn't sell out a 2nd so why a 3rd?

If I were them I would book 3x Amsterdam guaranteed sell outs

 

[robbrecon72]

Definitely 3x Amsterdam. I think enough demand would be built up for one Boston show since it would be nearly 2 years since they played there last. If they are worried about it why not play Harvard Stadium (capacity 30,898), or Fenway Park (Capacity 36,108), or Alumni Stadium (capacity 44,500). I'm sure Live Nation can negotiate their way into one of those venues.

 

[DeVaul]

play in Hartford, pull from the New England and upper New York markets

 

[HBK-79]

^

Rentschler Field (stadium) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[hibricc]

Agreed, it's ridiculous they're not coming back to New England, but my guess is they based their decision on the results of that Ticketmaster poll of Gillette attendees in 2009, which reflected poorly on Foxboro's logistics, not the band.

About that survey... I received it too, and I suspect it was initiated by the venue, not the band. Remember that the decision about where to have a concert isn't just up to the band; the venue has to want it. So think about this from the Krafts' point-of-view:

"Boy, what a logistical nightmare those U2 shows were! We've never had such a big crowd, and the parking situation was out of control - our Foxboro neighbors have been calling and complaining for days! Lots of fans even told our staff they'd never come back. But the U2 people are talking about a possible return next year! Hmmm, before we decide whether to host another huge show like that, let's take a survey of everyone who came, to see if we'll have enough attendees to make it worthwhile ($$$) next time. Get Ticketmaster on the phone...."​

So if they get enough survey responses that say "I'm never coming back to Foxboro again", they can decide to pass on hosting another U2 show (even if the band wants to return), since they won't make enough money to justify the headache.

(For the record, on the survey, I said the parking situation was awful - but that I would absolutely return to Foxboro if U2 played there again.)

That's my take; fire away...

 

[jesseu2]

but why again to Boston?

they didn't sell out a 2nd so why a 3rd?

If I were them I would book 3x Amsterdam guaranteed sell outs

1. Because Boston is where it all began for U2 in USA and they should come back in 2011. They are doing Philly and NJ with a huge gap in between.

2. Europe leg is over.

 

[randhail]

Personally, I'd be fine if they played at Fitton Field in Worcester, just as long as we get a show added.

 

[HBK-79]

I think they would want to book at stadium that has had experience hosting large concerts in the past. Such as Fenway and the aforementioned Rent.

 

[daygloeyes2]

The Claw likely wouldn't fit into Fenway.

 

[Axver]

I think it's been established before that Fenway is pretty much off-limits if U2 want to maintain the standard 360 Tour production.

 

[U2387]

I think it's been established before that Fenway is pretty much off-limits if U2 want to maintain the standard 360 Tour production.

Exactly. And there is no precedent for U2 changing their tour production to accommodate a one off show mid tour.

U2 always likes to customize their stages, even on simple arena tours. The grounds director at Fenway banned any stage bigger than the one that has been used the past 5 years by numerous acts after the Stones' "Bigger Bang" set ruined the entire outfield.

Even the Elevation Tour set would be off limits in Fenway.

U2 will very likely never play Fenway.

They'll be back to the Garden when they finish the stadium phase they're in now.

 

[HBK-79]

And there is no precedent for U2 changing their tour production to accommodate a one off show mid tour.

But won't the band be making some adjustments to their tour production for the shows at Angel Stadium- an all-out ballpark?

 

[U2387]

But won't the band be making some adjustments to their tour production for the shows at Angel Stadium- an all-out ballpark?

Minor tweaks like they have for the smaller stadiums in Europe.

Plus, Angels Stadium has a capacity of 45,000 to Fenway's 36-38 depending on who you ask. It changes everyday with all of these renovations, and with the Red Sox' obsession with cooking the numbers to keep a "sell out streak" alive but thats a whole different story!

The field at Fenway is extremely small-the dimensions at Angels and almost any other ballpark are much, much deeper on average. Just look at how close the stands are to the field at Fenway. No park has that little space to work with. This is evident in the amount of foul territory there versus everywhere else, especially apparent in the distance from the plate to the backstop.

Fenway would require they get rid of the claw entirely, just from a logistics perspective. But there is more and this is why U2 will never play Fenway. As I said, the grounds director, who my best friend has worked for since 2004, banned entirely anything other than the stage that has been used since 2006. Google McCartney 2009 Fenway or Police 2007 or DMB 2006/2009, Neil Diamond 2008, Aerosmith 2010, etc. It is the exact same stage.

 

[powerhour24]

If they come back this tour it'll be at Gillette, no questions asked, they are huge in this area and it is the only sizable stadium, they wouldn't downsize to come back nearly 2 years later, but I would think LN will negotiate getting the commuter rail to run like it does for Pats games.

 

[Johnovox]

Go Carter Alan! Make it happen!

BTW - the second Gillette show was officially listed as a sellout.

 

[Axver]

Boston is (probably) dead.

St Louis looks like it will get a gig on 17 July, filling the only gap where Boston could have fit feasibly. During the other gaps in the schedule, U2 are on the wrong side of the continent, so logistically it would be unfeasible or impossible to fit in a gig.

Maybe a sprint across the continent during the huge 10 day gap from Oakland to Anaheim in June? Maybe. I don't see it being possible.

Of course, the other alternative is that U2.com were full of shit about Pittsburgh being the last city (which wouldn't surprise me, knowing U2.com's history) and Boston could be added after it.

 

[hibricc]

This makes me sad, as I had hoped to take my boys to their first show here next summer, but can't say I'm surprised.

The band did two "sold out" shows here last year, and by most accounts, the second one barely sold out (if at all). Oh, and they got bad reviews for the first show, which may have spurred the change of opener for night 2 (yes, they read their press). Plus as I mentioned http://www.u2interference.com/forums/f304/bring-u2-to-boston-in-2011-a-208260.html#post7007886earlier, it's not clear that the stadium ownership even wants another show.

Frankly, I think we New England fans have a bit of an entitlement complex when it comes to U2, and we need to get over it - and ourselves.

Flame away!

 

[U2387]

This makes me sad, as I had hoped to take my boys to their first show here next summer, but can't say I'm surprised.

The band did two "sold out" shows here last year, and by most accounts, the second one barely sold out (if at all). Oh, and they got bad reviews for the first show, which may have spurred the change of opener for night 2 (yes, they read their press). Plus as I mentioned http://www.u2interference.com/forums/f304/bring-u2-to-boston-in-2011-a-208260.html#post7007886earlier, it's not clear that the stadium ownership even wants another show.

Frankly, I think we New England fans have a bit of an entitlement complex when it comes to U2, and we need to get over it - and ourselves.

Flame away!

After any shows besides Gillette 2009, I would have flamed you!

Though I share your sadness, the same fans who left at the end of the main set to avoid traffic, bought the newspaper that gave U2 a bad review and filled out a survey saying "no thanks" to another show because of traffic don't deserve another show.

TRAFFIC!! What a bunch of babies- traffic was much worse in the old stadium, and no one bitched about it after JT, Zoo TV or Popmart!

I want another show as much as anyone, but these GPS addicted can't get anywhere anti stadium show babies who leave at the end of the main set made their beds, now they can sleep in it.

I know a lot of people who post here do GA and think every crowd is insane and brimming with enthusiasm, but I was in the mezzanine night 2 and had a bird's eye view of the mass exodus that took place. The crowds flat out sucked, which was a polar opposite from the Vertigo show I saw.

 

[pepokiss]

TRAFFIC!! What a bunch of babies- traffic was much worse in the old stadium, and no one bitched about it after JT, Zoo TV or Popmart!

well, there was no internet back then (maybe in 97, but still)

 

[randhail]

Frankly, I think we New England fans have a bit of an entitlement complex when it comes to U2, and we need to get over it - and ourselves.

Flame away!

But as New Englanders, we are entitled to our entitlement complex, well because we're pretty much awesome in every regard.

 

[alison0313]

Our entitlement complex is all Bono's fault. He made us feel all sexy and wanted, and then dumped us for hotter cities. But no one puts (slutty) Boston in a corner!