Rally in Philly

Fans in the Philadelphia area have an opportunity to show their support in the fight against global AIDS and poverty by participating in a DATA-organized rally to be held at Independence Mall in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 16th. The rally will culminate with speeches by Bono, Dikembe Mutombo (NY Knicks), gospel artist Michael Smith, and Agnes Nyamayarwo, among others. Register to attend this free event at DATA’s web site.

McGuinness confirms 2005 U2 tour

According to one of our readers Paul McGuinness spoke to BBC Radio 5 on Thursday evening during their late night Live programme. He talked about the Oxford Union debate and was asked what U2 were up to. McGuinness confirmed the band were recording in Dublin and were nearly done. He also said the record will be out in November and a tour will start in Miami in March 2005. (via PG)

McGuinness joins Oxford Union Annual Debate

Paul McGuinness will be participating in the ‘the most famous debating society’ Oxford Union’s Annual Debate.

This year’s proposition is “This House believes that reality T.V. is killing real music.”

McGuinness, Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes and Badly Drawn Boy will be arguing in favour. Louis Walsh (manager of Westlife), Neil Fox (Pop Idol judge( and Richard Parks (BBC’s Fame Academy) will be in the opposition.

The event takes place on Thursday May 6th, 2004.

(via duranduran.com, Trev, HJB)

Edge and Ono to open art exhibition

The Edge and Yoko Ono will open ‘In the time of shaking‘, an art exhibition at the Irish museum of Modern Art this Thursday, May 6. The event is invitation only. In The Time of Shaking will be open to the public on Friday, May 7.

The exhibition is in aid of Amnesty International. Amnesty will benefit from the sale of the art works and a limited edition book featuring the work of contemporary Irish artists, including Louis Le Brocquy, Amelia Stein, Guggi and Sybille Ungers.

The exhibition is in the East Wing of the Irish Museum of Modern Art from Friday 7 May until Sunday 23 May.

(source: RTE guide)

U2’s Portuguese adventure (English report)

U2portugal.com have written an English article on U2’s visit to Portugal. According to fans talking to the band Bono confirmed that the new single will be out in September and the new album in October. The band were in Portugal shooting photos for the cover of the next album, but U2 staff members told some fans that they were also filming for a “DVD to be released alongside with the new album“.

Portuguese real estate agents take note, Bono seemed particularly enamoured with one of their photoshoot locations, Azenhas do Mar.

Lunch with a Rock Star

The Irish Independent reports that Bono had lunch with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at his home in Killiney on Saturday (May 1). Blair is in Dublin for events related to the EU expansion.

Update: According to The Scotsman, during their lunch together Blair invited Bono to serve as a figurehead for Blair’s newly established Commission for Africa. The Commission assesses what is happening in Africa and works to create policies that will positively impact the continent.

U2 in Portuguese press

U2’s recent stay in Portugal is frontpage news in local newspapers. Pictures of their arrival at Lisbon airport and a photoshoot in a swimming pool in Sintra’s Praia Grande featured in various publications.

Bono was quoted saying: “I enjoyed my stay in Portugal a lot. If I could, I would stay here longer (…) I am doing all I can to return soon with a show on the next tour.”

Portuguese fansites U2portugal.com and U2dot.com have pictures and cuttings.