Trying to meet Bono in NYC before show

[U2Superman1975]

Trying to meet Bono in NYC before show & which is GA entrance at MSG

I have heard a rumor that before each show, around 3 or 4, Bono comes in on one of the side entrances for sound check. I was wondering if this is true and if anyone knows the entrance at MSG that the band comes in (which street). I have something that I would like to try and get signed.

Also, what is the street entrance for GA members at MSG? Where is the U2.com members line?


Anyone know the spots in NYC they like to hang out at?


Thanks

 

[mabel]

I have no idea if this will be true for U2 or not, but I went to see Coldplay last night, and after picking my friend up at Penn, we exited at 33rd and 8th and started heading up towards 7th (on 33rd) and on the way, we saw first some baricades w/ security and then a few paces past them, we passed the band (minus Chris Martin) heading into the Garden. I don't know if this is the general entrance, but that's where we saw Coldplay enter (around 6:15-6:30). I'll certainly be trying to get an autograph or two in October. Unfortunately, I forgot my Joshua Tree LP, packing for school. Maybe I'll have to have it sent to me. All I've got w/ me is the HTDAAB book (from the CD/DVD combo package)

 

[U2Superman1975]

I just got off the phone with an MSG operator and she said we would have to wait till the day of the show to find out which entrance. I'm sure it should be the same entrance as the Radiohead/U2 show, i mean Coldplay show. I would assume it would be the same. I have that book as well but I really wanted to get my Joshua Tree Lithograph (the one by Anton Corbijn) signed before I frame it. I think it would look amazing all framed up. I guess I would have to get there really early.

 

[ouizy]

I will try to explain this as clearly as possible, and I am basing this on every show I have been to at MSG regardless of artist.

Here is the image I will refer to:

The band will arrive for the show (and most definitely the soundcheck) on 33rd street travelling westbound. this is the north side of the Garden. They will go down a ramp between the squarish looking building and the round arena. There is a big garage door on the northeast side of the arena off of this ramp where all the gear gets loaded in and the band arrives to. There will be at least one or two Upstaging trucks parked there (the big white trailers with red trucks.)

The band has arrived for the past two tours in "OL Music" black Lincoln Navigators. When they arrive for the show (I do not know about soundcheck) they usually arrive right before the opening band goes on and they arrive in their own Navigator (Bono in one, the Edge in another...) From my experience, they typically do not stop before the show on the way into the arena, but they do lower the window to wave at the fans. They do not arrive with a police escort, but they do leave with one. They are very inconspicuous when they arrive - just like any other black truck on the street, but the windows are heavily tinted and the license plates always say "OLMUSIC." The garage door is typically down, but when they hit 33rd street it goes up. That is how you will know they have arrived, and they are usually moving at a pretty good speed into the arena, because the security is already waiting for them, and they do not want fans outside the arena to hold them up before the show.

I would say that if you can determine the time of the soundcheck (from other upcoming shows before the MSG gigs) you should wait at that security gate at that time. You will go to where it says the "123" subway lines on the above image on the south side of 33rd street, but there is a security fence, so you cannot get very far in.

To enter for GA, you will enter the building off of 7th avenue, and go under the rectangular building going west towards the arena. You will see the lines.

Good luck - I am sure you will see them arrive, whether they stop or not, that is a different story - I am not sure they do the glad-hand thing in NYC.

 

[ouizy]

Re: Trying to meet Bono in NYC before show & which is GA entrance at MSG

Anyone know the spots in NYC they like to hang out at?

As for this - after the Irving Plaza gig, they went to Lotus on 14th street.

They always end up at the "hottest" place in town, so if I had to guess, I would say they will probably end up at Marquee, Bungalow 8, or another club in that vicinity...

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

there is also an entrance on the south side of the garden... off 31st... that players use as an entrance. same thing, gated doors. so the potential always exists that they'd see which side had less people and go in that way. the college players entrance/exit is on 33rd, but that involves actually parking on the sidewalk and walking to the door... which is highly unlikely. they'll either head in the 33rd street entrance, like ouizy detailed, or the 31st.