Performance in the skies

Friday night U2 performed two songs, “Vertigo” and “Window in the Skies,” on the rooftop of TV Asahi in Roppongi, a posh area of Tokyo. The performance was aired live on the Japanese television show “Music Station.”

Hundreds of U2 fans gathered outside the studio in hopes of hearing the performance, but were disappointed to hear little over the traffic noise on the streets and the helicopters that were filming the performance. Only Larry’s intro to “Vertigo” could be heard faintly.

Video
Vertigo
Window in the Skies

These videos will likely be removed on YouTube by TV Asahi, so watch them while you can.

Japan welcomes U2

Hi, Promo Bono here. After being stuck in a box on a shelf in Vertigo Air for God-knows-forever, I’ve managed to sneak my way into Japan via Adam Clayton’s man purse. It’s time for Promo Bono to get in on some Vertigo tour fun!

The band and I arrived in Tokyo on Monday and were greeted by Japanese fans at Haneda Airport. The band, whose last visit to the country was in March 1998 during the PopMart tour, were warmly welcomed. I snapped this pic of The Edge at the airport from inside a pocket in Adam’s purse:

Looking good, yes?

The band will perform the first of three shows at Saitama Super Arena tonight. Because entrance into the venue is in numeric order, fans have been instructed not to show up at the venue before 6 pm when doors open. The show will begin at 7 pm without an opening act.

On Friday, U2 will appear on Japanese television to perform two songs, “Window in the Skies” and “Vertigo.”

I intend to (secretly) run around in Japan with the band as much as my little Promo Bono legs will allow me, so come back to read about our adventures.

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.