U2 Tour Talk

The Mirror reports U2 have been meeting to discuss the release of their next album and plan their tour. Sources tell the tabloid that Bono is keen to do a stadium tour because he believes fans had difficulty obtaining tickets on the Elevation tour. If the band decide to go with a stadium tour, it will be a “huge, spectacular stage show” that will put PopMart to shame. The sources also say the tour will most likely begin next summer and that shows have been planned for the United States, Europe, Australia, and Brazil.

74 thoughts on “U2 Tour Talk

  1. It was funny when Bono said in recent interview that he felt at home in front of 20,000, or even 150,000 of his closest friends, as his mind is obviously tuned into stadiums shows. Well, not funny – funny, but you know what i mean..

  2. It was funny when Bono said in recent interview that he felt at home in front of 20,000, or even 150,000 of his closest friends, as his mind is obviously tuned into stadiums shows. Well, not funny – funny, but you know what i mean..

  3. nooo!!! stay in arenas please!! the sound may suck, yeah, but the intensity is greater, you’re packed in with people who *really* want to be there. after watching springsteen transition from arenas to stadiums on his tour, I vote for arenas, always.

  4. nooo!!! stay in arenas please!! the sound may suck, yeah, but the intensity is greater, you’re packed in with people who *really* want to be there. after watching springsteen transition from arenas to stadiums on his tour, I vote for arenas, always.

  5. COMPARISON TO POPMART? I saw PopMart in Memphis [easily the worst show they’ve ever done] and it was still amazing! I can’t wait to see them once more, although they will never come to Tennessee again… they did not sell out the Liberty Bowl. I can’t wait for whatever they do next!!

  6. COMPARISON TO POPMART? I saw PopMart in Memphis [easily the worst show they’ve ever done] and it was still amazing! I can’t wait to see them once more, although they will never come to Tennessee again… they did not sell out the Liberty Bowl. I can’t wait for whatever they do next!!

  7. Or what about mixing them?
    Arena and stadiums? Like they did with the Zoo TV tour.

    Really hope they start in Europe for a change. And that we get our equal part this time.

  8. Or what about mixing them?
    Arena and stadiums? Like they did with the Zoo TV tour.

    Really hope they start in Europe for a change. And that we get our equal part this time.

  9. I agree with bieke2be. Why not do a combination? Now they know where it was difficult to sell tickets…

  10. I agree with bieke2be. Why not do a combination? Now they know where it was difficult to sell tickets…

  11. I’d like to hear the album before I decide what venue it should be played in. The Elevation tour could easily have been played in stadiums because ATYCLB had a lot of boisterous rock songs. If their new album defies expectations and ends up being a quiet album then maybe it would be better in arenas. Otherwise I wouldn’t mind hearing it in a larger venue.

  12. I’d like to hear the album before I decide what venue it should be played in. The Elevation tour could easily have been played in stadiums because ATYCLB had a lot of boisterous rock songs. If their new album defies expectations and ends up being a quiet album then maybe it would be better in arenas. Otherwise I wouldn’t mind hearing it in a larger venue.

  13. The last seat in an arena still provides a better view of the band then being in the middle of a field. I’m 6’3, was standing on a chair, and still had great difficulty seeing the band in Three Rivers for Popmart. Of course it will be easier to get tickets for stadiums which is the plus.

  14. The last seat in an arena still provides a better view of the band then being in the middle of a field. I’m 6’3, was standing on a chair, and still had great difficulty seeing the band in Three Rivers for Popmart. Of course it will be easier to get tickets for stadiums which is the plus.

  15. this smacks way too much of Pop disaster … i loved that tour, but they boys definitely weren’t ready to play the new songs for at least the first dozen shows, because they focused too much on the tour and not on completing the album and rehearsing before taking it on the road. I also liked the album very much, but IMHO there were only about 6-7 really good songs — the rest were ideas that weren’t really finished correctly. I just hope they get the album finished before worrying about where to play them. In the U.S., I would bet stadiums would only be 1/2 full at best — they’d fare better in Europe as the big venues are more sparse. One PopMart show I attended (Clemson University fits 80,000) only 22,000 showed up. I’d hate to see that again.

  16. this smacks way too much of Pop disaster … i loved that tour, but they boys definitely weren’t ready to play the new songs for at least the first dozen shows, because they focused too much on the tour and not on completing the album and rehearsing before taking it on the road. I also liked the album very much, but IMHO there were only about 6-7 really good songs — the rest were ideas that weren’t really finished correctly. I just hope they get the album finished before worrying about where to play them. In the U.S., I would bet stadiums would only be 1/2 full at best — they’d fare better in Europe as the big venues are more sparse. One PopMart show I attended (Clemson University fits 80,000) only 22,000 showed up. I’d hate to see that again.

  17. No! This is exactly what I feared – I was hoping that they’d stick to arenas, or do multiple nights at theatres. This sucks, I absolutely loathe stadiums, they are just too big. I had soooooo much more fun at Elevation than Popmart.

  18. No! This is exactly what I feared – I was hoping that they’d stick to arenas, or do multiple nights at theatres. This sucks, I absolutely loathe stadiums, they are just too big. I had soooooo much more fun at Elevation than Popmart.

  19. velvet elvis is right on. I saw Memphis (close seat, but still hard to see band, disappointing) and Clemson (great seat by the b-stage, other-worldly experience shaking Bono’s hand before the concert) see details if interested: http://home.ec.rr.com/watts4u2/htm/u2pictures.htm
    , and had tickets for Raleigh (concert cancelled 2 days before show). Needless to say, I prefer arenas…in the heart, please. Stadiums may work in big cities and South America, but half-empty stadiums do take away from the intimacy and generate bad press. I’d like to see U2 stray away from the ‘greatest hits’ type tours and pull out more lesser-known songs in arenas. I’m a dreamer.

  20. velvet elvis is right on. I saw Memphis (close seat, but still hard to see band, disappointing) and Clemson (great seat by the b-stage, other-worldly experience shaking Bono’s hand before the concert) see details if interested: http://home.ec.rr.com/watts4u2/htm/u2pictures.htm
    , and had tickets for Raleigh (concert cancelled 2 days before show). Needless to say, I prefer arenas…in the heart, please. Stadiums may work in big cities and South America, but half-empty stadiums do take away from the intimacy and generate bad press. I’d like to see U2 stray away from the ‘greatest hits’ type tours and pull out more lesser-known songs in arenas. I’m a dreamer.

  21. I like the outdoor shows, certainly in Europe it becomes a local event with a summer carnival feel. lots of support bands and lots of drama. I hope they play my home town Cardiff this time, the JT and Zooropa shows there were amazing. Elevation indoors at earls’court was the best U2 show I ever saw but you are limited to how many people can get tickets, queueing etc..that was 2001 and now I’m ready for an outdoor spectacle. If its going to be a special production that it can’t be indoors and outdoors. Also I reckon the new album is done and they won’t make the same mistakes as with POP. The stadiums will sell out in Europe no problems.

  22. I like the outdoor shows, certainly in Europe it becomes a local event with a summer carnival feel. lots of support bands and lots of drama. I hope they play my home town Cardiff this time, the JT and Zooropa shows there were amazing. Elevation indoors at earls’court was the best U2 show I ever saw but you are limited to how many people can get tickets, queueing etc..that was 2001 and now I’m ready for an outdoor spectacle. If its going to be a special production that it can’t be indoors and outdoors. Also I reckon the new album is done and they won’t make the same mistakes as with POP. The stadiums will sell out in Europe no problems.

  23. Lucy…what kind of crap is that? Keeping U2 to yourselve is so…so..so U2fan-like. The party will be much bigger celebrating it with both die-hard fans and non-die hards.

    Old fart

  24. Lucy…what kind of crap is that? Keeping U2 to yourselve is so…so..so U2fan-like. The party will be much bigger celebrating it with both die-hard fans and non-die hards.

    Old fart

  25. I so much agree with that queve guy above. U2 fans are generally quite selfish music lovers. Don’t get me wrong…they’re my favorite too.

  26. I so much agree with that queve guy above. U2 fans are generally quite selfish music lovers. Don’t get me wrong…they’re my favorite too.

  27. As fans go we are actually the most generous in a way. I have always enjoyed turning someone on to U2. I love being at as show next to a new fan and having them say something like…Yeah, ATYCLB is cool, but I love their old stuff like Achtung baby ;-}
    Rachel, now I know why your posts are so irelevant. If you haven’t been to a U2 show, you are missing at least 50% of the U2 experience imho.
    Also, you would never understand the Ted Turner thing. Bono is without doubt the king of the soap box, and although I don’t always agree with who he preaches to or sadlles up to, it is rare that I disagree with the plight.
    As for the show stadium or not, we will all come together for the celebration. I will admit that the 3 shows I entered into the heart, were my best U2 live experiences ever.
    I would guess that we are approx. 90 days or so from the first leak of a sound byte or mp3…Psyched!

  28. As fans go we are actually the most generous in a way. I have always enjoyed turning someone on to U2. I love being at as show next to a new fan and having them say something like…Yeah, ATYCLB is cool, but I love their old stuff like Achtung baby ;-}
    Rachel, now I know why your posts are so irelevant. If you haven’t been to a U2 show, you are missing at least 50% of the U2 experience imho.
    Also, you would never understand the Ted Turner thing. Bono is without doubt the king of the soap box, and although I don’t always agree with who he preaches to or sadlles up to, it is rare that I disagree with the plight.
    As for the show stadium or not, we will all come together for the celebration. I will admit that the 3 shows I entered into the heart, were my best U2 live experiences ever.
    I would guess that we are approx. 90 days or so from the first leak of a sound byte or mp3…Psyched!

  29. its all about the music, who cares.. big.. small if the new album rocks i dont care were they play..

  30. its all about the music, who cares.. big.. small if the new album rocks i dont care were they play..

  31. You have to admit that playing arenas
    in Europe for the Elevation Tour was
    like a “club tour”. The U2 fan-base is
    so big in Europe that I don’t think it
    is ever going to happen again πŸ™

    I wish they’d do something like the
    Rolling Stones: alternate small venues,
    arenas and stadiums (and sometimes
    play the three in certain cities).
    I think that’s a brilliant idea.

    -Cyril

  32. You have to admit that playing arenas
    in Europe for the Elevation Tour was
    like a “club tour”. The U2 fan-base is
    so big in Europe that I don’t think it
    is ever going to happen again πŸ™

    I wish they’d do something like the
    Rolling Stones: alternate small venues,
    arenas and stadiums (and sometimes
    play the three in certain cities).
    I think that’s a brilliant idea.

    -Cyril

  33. ok…the reason I didn’t go to atyclb’s tour is cuz i didn’t want to. it had nothing to do with the seating arrangements. i guess it’s inconceivable for bono to think that his listeners might not want to attend his concerts (no matter how they are presented). i have a vision…television :). I think the next concert should be a true followup to zootv, i don’t think popmart and atyclb were true followup tours. becaaaause…they never had cash or the velvet underground actually on stage with them.

  34. ok…the reason I didn’t go to atyclb’s tour is cuz i didn’t want to. it had nothing to do with the seating arrangements. i guess it’s inconceivable for bono to think that his listeners might not want to attend his concerts (no matter how they are presented). i have a vision…television :). I think the next concert should be a true followup to zootv, i don’t think popmart and atyclb were true followup tours. becaaaause…they never had cash or the velvet underground actually on stage with them.

  35. i’m just glad to hear they will go to south america. people there go bonkers for U2 more than any other country + it was by far the best Popmart concerts they put on in the whole tour.

  36. i’m just glad to hear they will go to south america. people there go bonkers for U2 more than any other country + it was by far the best Popmart concerts they put on in the whole tour.

  37. Well, whether or not we want them to play arenas, they had to go small last tour before they could go big again. It was a well concocted formula. Less seating, more fan hysteria trying to find tickets, etc. Then everyone who didnt get to see Elevation probably vowed to catch them next time. They know what they are doing. On the Popmart note, its not their fault America sucked on that tour. America’s musical conscience as whole is fad based, but that may well be every other country in the world also. Fuck the Billboard! *rattle and hum fervor*

  38. Well, whether or not we want them to play arenas, they had to go small last tour before they could go big again. It was a well concocted formula. Less seating, more fan hysteria trying to find tickets, etc. Then everyone who didnt get to see Elevation probably vowed to catch them next time. They know what they are doing. On the Popmart note, its not their fault America sucked on that tour. America’s musical conscience as whole is fad based, but that may well be every other country in the world also. Fuck the Billboard! *rattle and hum fervor*

  39. I don’t care where they play ,as long as they come to Australia! They have not been here since 1998…

  40. I don’t care where they play ,as long as they come to Australia! They have not been here since 1998…

  41. I think rock_martyr’s right. they left us wanting more after the elevation tour. sneaky bastards πŸ™‚ I think it’s logical that they will start in arenas and move to stadiums, like with zootv. I’ll take them either way, but I really hope they keep something similar to the heart layout. I never got in the heart and I want my chance.

  42. I think rock_martyr’s right. they left us wanting more after the elevation tour. sneaky bastards πŸ™‚ I think it’s logical that they will start in arenas and move to stadiums, like with zootv. I’ll take them either way, but I really hope they keep something similar to the heart layout. I never got in the heart and I want my chance.

  43. I’m sure U2 can pack a Stadium in New York, Los Angeles, London and a few other large markets. But I’m also sure that to to attempt stadium gigs in some of the smaller markets would be a disaster… ala Popmart. Yes, U2 have had a resurgence since 97, but they are not the band they were in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Stick to arenas would be my advice.

  44. I’m sure U2 can pack a Stadium in New York, Los Angeles, London and a few other large markets. But I’m also sure that to to attempt stadium gigs in some of the smaller markets would be a disaster… ala Popmart. Yes, U2 have had a resurgence since 97, but they are not the band they were in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Stick to arenas would be my advice.

  45. “The Elevation tour could easily have been played in stadiums because ATYCLB had a lot of boisterous rock songs”

    It did? Such as? I’d count Elevation(barely), Beautiful Day and New York. I wouldn’t say that’s a lot at all. On the other hand, Pop had Discotheque, Do You Feel Loved, Mofo, Last Night on Earth, Gone, Miami and Please. These could all be considered boisterous. I’d like to add that although I think a stadium tour would be bad for U2’s image (I truly believe they would not sell out many shows) I had a hell of a lot more fun at Popmart than Elevation.

  46. “The Elevation tour could easily have been played in stadiums because ATYCLB had a lot of boisterous rock songs”

    It did? Such as? I’d count Elevation(barely), Beautiful Day and New York. I wouldn’t say that’s a lot at all. On the other hand, Pop had Discotheque, Do You Feel Loved, Mofo, Last Night on Earth, Gone, Miami and Please. These could all be considered boisterous. I’d like to add that although I think a stadium tour would be bad for U2’s image (I truly believe they would not sell out many shows) I had a hell of a lot more fun at Popmart than Elevation.

  47. darko, i’m willing to bet u2 had more fun at popmart, too! that is what is really important!

  48. darko, i’m willing to bet u2 had more fun at popmart, too! that is what is really important!

  49. If they don’t play in my bedroom, I’m quitting being thier fan!!!
    Seriously, I had the shittiest seats ever for Popmart and it was still cool, but it sure as hell didn’t touch being in the heart as far as adrenaline… I hope they will do both like Zoo TV, and pull through every market once or twice with the little setup and once or twice with the big stage…

  50. If they don’t play in my bedroom, I’m quitting being thier fan!!!
    Seriously, I had the shittiest seats ever for Popmart and it was still cool, but it sure as hell didn’t touch being in the heart as far as adrenaline… I hope they will do both like Zoo TV, and pull through every market once or twice with the little setup and once or twice with the big stage…

  51. “Yes, U2 have had a resurgence since 97, but they are not the band they were in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Stick to arenas would be my advice.”—Not the band? Seeing as their Grammy percentage has drastically increased it is safe to presume they are the same band, if not more of a band. Even still, it’s stupid to compare periods of the band’s history to each other isn’t it? What about U2 of 1983? They are not themselves on what level? People tend to lock in their favorite U2 golden age and hold it as their own…only to adhere and compare their “other” successes to it. My advice, play the fucking stadiums if you want to. I see U2 kicking ass and taking names in 2004. Stadiums are the new Arenas.

  52. “Yes, U2 have had a resurgence since 97, but they are not the band they were in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Stick to arenas would be my advice.”—Not the band? Seeing as their Grammy percentage has drastically increased it is safe to presume they are the same band, if not more of a band. Even still, it’s stupid to compare periods of the band’s history to each other isn’t it? What about U2 of 1983? They are not themselves on what level? People tend to lock in their favorite U2 golden age and hold it as their own…only to adhere and compare their “other” successes to it. My advice, play the fucking stadiums if you want to. I see U2 kicking ass and taking names in 2004. Stadiums are the new Arenas.

  53. Hmm, i dont get the comment about them not being the band they were in the late 80’s. Of course not! But they still sell as many albums, and they still rock! On the other hand I would still clearly prefer an arena tour. Stadiums are definetly NOT my thing…

  54. Hmm, i dont get the comment about them not being the band they were in the late 80’s. Of course not! But they still sell as many albums, and they still rock! On the other hand I would still clearly prefer an arena tour. Stadiums are definetly NOT my thing…

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