Drum up your photos

Fans either loved or hated it: Bono’s manic percussion act during Love and Peace or Else on the Vertigo tour. He always did march to the sound of his own drum. Bless. Whatever your feelings on the matter, you can now share your photographic memories of the Man with Big Drum and Bandanna at www.bonodrumming.com.

Fluxblog sees Kanye West and U2 in St Louis

Fluxblog’s Matthew travels to Missouri to see the band in concert at the Savvis Center in St. Louis. He reviews both the opening act and U2, and touches on the political implications of the current ‘heart of darkness’ part of the band’s set. There are some good reactions in the comments.

“Love and Peace Or Else” was far better in St. Louis than in the 10/8/2005 MSG set, as was the rest of the so-called ‘heart of darkness’ mini-set that also includes “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Bullet The Blue Sky.” Though I quite enjoy “Love and Peace,” this is by far the weakest part of the Vertigo tour – for one thing, these three songs in a row feels more than a little redundant on a musical level, but more than that, there are very troubling political implications in the repurposing of the latter two songs…”

Read more at Fluxblog.

U2 treat Toronto to a Pop-selection

Boom. Cha. While we await full reports from our troops on the ground, we’re going to tease you with this short and simple statement: They played Discotheque!

Set: City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / Electric Co. / The Ocean / Beautiful Day / Miracle Drug / Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride / Where the Streets Have No Name / One / Discotheque / The Fly / With or Without You / All Because of You / Fast Cars / Yahweh / 40

Daniel Lanois plays guitar on One, Eddie Vedder joins them near the end for a few bars of Ol’ man river. The ‘Pop Muzik’ intro starts the encore and the screen shows PopMart imagery.

Larry’s IOL diary

Inspired by Bono’s AOL diary, Irish internet provider IOL has asked drummer Larry Mullen to do the same for their customers. The first entry has yet to appear on the IOL website, but U2log.com has managed to acquire a copy:

“Dear Diary, ‘t was a beautiful day. Polished da Harley. Did a foine job too, if I say so meself. Taught da kids to leave their da alone when he’s watching da match. Our Bono’s been away on some speaking tour in America. Thank fuck, at last some peace and quiet around here without da little bollix. Getting a bit thirsty what with all the writin’. Think there’s some lager left in the fridge. Not used to da bleedin’ Euro yet, must watch daily expenses.
PS. I dreamt about a mermaid by the name of Sam last night. Didn’t know my drum tech had fins.”