‘Thank you, we’re here every Tuesday night…’
Are U2 considering a residency stint at the O2 venue in London? This is what Rolling Stone and other publications are speculating.
It’s the rumour that won’t die, innit? We first heard of it (from the proverbial reliable sources) straight after the band’s last tour and it’s popped up again and again over the last couple of years. Now that bastion of investigative journalism, The Sun, claims McGuinness told them:
“It’s got great potential for U2 and because it’s undercover you can do a run of shows in the autumn.”
It also cuts down on gear, trucks and drivers, which the band might no longer be able afford due to thieving fans, downloaders, Steve Jobs, hippies, ISPs! *
Where there’s smoke there’s fire? True or not, the question remains: could you cope with a 20+ gig U2 residency in *your* town?
*) Why not blame bloggers, too?. I bet McG loves Andrew Keen.
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Of course I’d love 20+ shows in my town.
Of course I’d love 20+ shows in my town.
hmmmm
Does this mean one would buy tickets down the west end alongside We will rock you, Phantom, Lion King etc?? Will Bono have to get an understudy in case he can’t make a gig?
hmmmm
Does this mean one would buy tickets down the west end alongside We will rock you, Phantom, Lion King etc?? Will Bono have to get an understudy in case he can’t make a gig?
If it prevents another Spinal Tap moment and Edge mistaking Melbourne for Sydney, then I’m all for it.
If it prevents another Spinal Tap moment and Edge mistaking Melbourne for Sydney, then I’m all for it.
Yesh can you imagine the complaints about the static set lists lol
Not a good idea.. dont do it guys
Yesh can you imagine the complaints about the static set lists lol
Not a good idea.. dont do it guys
Go for it buys!!! Flight fares from Amsterdam are quite affordable these days….
Besides, halfway October I’ll have a week off from work…..
Go for it buys!!! Flight fares from Amsterdam are quite affordable these days….
Besides, halfway October I’ll have a week off from work…..
First ATYCLB & HTDAAB, then Paul McG’s brilliant speech, now this?…I’m done.
First ATYCLB & HTDAAB, then Paul McG’s brilliant speech, now this?…I’m done.
…signs that we’ve had like 14 months without any real U2 news #192
…signs that we’ve had like 14 months without any real U2 news #192
McG wasn’t speaking on behalf of U2, he was speaking on behalf of himself. But don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out, Steven. Can we have your stuff?
McG wasn’t speaking on behalf of U2, he was speaking on behalf of himself. But don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out, Steven. Can we have your stuff?
Can’t see Larry being happy with that. Remember Lovetown!?
Can’t see Larry being happy with that. Remember Lovetown!?
This proves problematic for those of us who have to see every night in our town though….ouch on the stamina, pocketbook and all around sanity level!
This proves problematic for those of us who have to see every night in our town though….ouch on the stamina, pocketbook and all around sanity level!
I don’t know… Las Vegas comes to mind.
I don’t know… Las Vegas comes to mind.
Eeeek – I live 10 mins from the O2 – god help my wallet and sanity if they ever did this – I would have to go every night – surely?!?!?
Eeeek – I live 10 mins from the O2 – god help my wallet and sanity if they ever did this – I would have to go every night – surely?!?!?
I guy-love Bono, but the potential move makes me think of Las Vegas and Wayne Newton. o_O
I guy-love Bono, but the potential move makes me think of Las Vegas and Wayne Newton. o_O
If any band can pull this off, its U2. They have always been such great marketers — even stretching back into the days of the four disc sets sold in shops.
Even though Paul M is getting bad reviews for his attacks on the digital world, he is right as that source of revenue for bands is shrinking and will continue to do so. They need to find that revenue elsewhere and this makes a lot of sense. I saw the 3D Movie and truly enjoyed it.
As to the stale content concern, I dont agree. I think they could market different show “nights.” For example one night out could be “The Early Years” featuring Pre Joshua Tree material, another show just to JT, etc.
However, I saw a suggestion that they do this type of thing at the Las Vegas Hilton — PLEASE DONT DO THAT.
Whether it be a residency stint or a new tour, we will be there from the States for at least a few of the shows.
Murph’- St. Louis
If any band can pull this off, its U2. They have always been such great marketers — even stretching back into the days of the four disc sets sold in shops.
Even though Paul M is getting bad reviews for his attacks on the digital world, he is right as that source of revenue for bands is shrinking and will continue to do so. They need to find that revenue elsewhere and this makes a lot of sense. I saw the 3D Movie and truly enjoyed it.
As to the stale content concern, I dont agree. I think they could market different show “nights.” For example one night out could be “The Early Years” featuring Pre Joshua Tree material, another show just to JT, etc.
However, I saw a suggestion that they do this type of thing at the Las Vegas Hilton — PLEASE DONT DO THAT.
Whether it be a residency stint or a new tour, we will be there from the States for at least a few of the shows.
Murph’- St. Louis
Wouldn’t want to see a show in the middle of the run … could be interesting if they keep the set list interesting. A residency could afford them more rehearsal time to play songs they’ve never or rarely played (Acrobat … nudge.)
Wouldn’t want to see a show in the middle of the run … could be interesting if they keep the set list interesting. A residency could afford them more rehearsal time to play songs they’ve never or rarely played (Acrobat … nudge.)
I’ve decided I don’t want to see more than five shows on the next tour, so I wouldn’t mind a residency somewhere close by, it’s easier on the funds.
I’ve decided I don’t want to see more than five shows on the next tour, so I wouldn’t mind a residency somewhere close by, it’s easier on the funds.
this could be quite exciting as they have always done interesting things with set lists when in cities for more than two nigts. I saw them on the third night in Chicago on the elevation first leg and they played five straight songs from Achtung Baby and then proceeded to play electric co. and out of control. This could work!
this could be quite exciting as they have always done interesting things with set lists when in cities for more than two nigts. I saw them on the third night in Chicago on the elevation first leg and they played five straight songs from Achtung Baby and then proceeded to play electric co. and out of control. This could work!
They could do what CHEAP TRICK did in Chicago in 1999. Cheap Trick played 4 consecutive nights at THE METRO and played their first 4 albums (one album per night in its original running order).
Now that would be awesome to see U2 perform that feat.
They could do what CHEAP TRICK did in Chicago in 1999. Cheap Trick played 4 consecutive nights at THE METRO and played their first 4 albums (one album per night in its original running order).
Now that would be awesome to see U2 perform that feat.
IMHO:
1) This would never happen … after the first week, Larry would have a sign pinned to his shirt reading “Kill me. Please.”
2) Let’s hope it doesn’t happen … U2 has proven over the past 10+ years of tours (ZooTV, PopMart, Elevation, Vertigo) that setlist originality and variance isn’t a strong suit (plus most of the time it seems as though Bono pretty much reads from his script of what to say between songs) … so imagine what it would be like if you went and saw them over the course of this gig. (see item #1 above)
I think they should go the route of The Beatles – just pump-out records and enough with the touring. How many more times can you sing “Bad” anyway?
I’ll get hammered for this post. Let it be known I’m a huge fan, have been and always will be. But as I read on avclub.com (and kinda agree) from a touring standpoint, U2 is in its “Steel Wheels” period.
IMHO:
1) This would never happen … after the first week, Larry would have a sign pinned to his shirt reading “Kill me. Please.”
2) Let’s hope it doesn’t happen … U2 has proven over the past 10+ years of tours (ZooTV, PopMart, Elevation, Vertigo) that setlist originality and variance isn’t a strong suit (plus most of the time it seems as though Bono pretty much reads from his script of what to say between songs) … so imagine what it would be like if you went and saw them over the course of this gig. (see item #1 above)
I think they should go the route of The Beatles – just pump-out records and enough with the touring. How many more times can you sing “Bad” anyway?
I’ll get hammered for this post. Let it be known I’m a huge fan, have been and always will be. But as I read on avclub.com (and kinda agree) from a touring standpoint, U2 is in its “Steel Wheels” period.
I don’t often agree with VelvetElvis, but I agree with some of this. The problem is in the current market, everything else but pumping out albums is profitable.
I don’t often agree with VelvetElvis, but I agree with some of this. The problem is in the current market, everything else but pumping out albums is profitable.
Like a chocolate cake, too much is not enough.
Being fortunate enough to live in London, a u2 20 gig stint is just perfect.
Like a chocolate cake, too much is not enough.
Being fortunate enough to live in London, a u2 20 gig stint is just perfect.
Caroline: I wish you were more of a fan of mine … I agree with most of what you say … will you be my Valentine?
I wasn’t meaning that pumping out albums would be profitable — I meant it from the band’s artistic standpoint. Seems like they are at their most creative when they are pushing themselves to make new, exciting music. I think during the 1984-1991 stretch, they had such a breadth of style and quality to their music. Seems like they could get their music to a newer audience (as well as keeping us old-timers) by breaking the album-tour, album-tour cycle cycle, and just making as much music as possible that’s still inside them before they call it quits.
Caroline: I wish you were more of a fan of mine … I agree with most of what you say … will you be my Valentine?
I wasn’t meaning that pumping out albums would be profitable — I meant it from the band’s artistic standpoint. Seems like they are at their most creative when they are pushing themselves to make new, exciting music. I think during the 1984-1991 stretch, they had such a breadth of style and quality to their music. Seems like they could get their music to a newer audience (as well as keeping us old-timers) by breaking the album-tour, album-tour cycle cycle, and just making as much music as possible that’s still inside them before they call it quits.