U2 at the Beeb for their Live Lounge session

U2 arrive at BBC Radio 1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/musicevents/u2/

U2 are special guests at BBC Radio including a special Live Lounge session on BBC Radio 1.

The band will be performing three tracks for a Radio 1 Live Lounge session in Jo Whiley’s daytime show from 10.00am. Later today on BBC Radio 2, Chris Evans will play host to U2 on his drivetime show at 5.00pm, interviewing all four members of U2 about the secrets of their success, from their formation in Dublin in 1976, to nine number one albums in the UK and 22 Grammy Awards.

A number of lucky Radio 1 listeners will be able to watch the band live at the BBC Radio Theatre. U2log.com hopes to be able to bring you a special report from inside the theatre.

Update: The band played Get On Your Boots, Beautiful Day und Breathe on the Jo Whiley show. They also recorded Magnificent for another show. See also U2tour.de twitpics.

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U2 play Get On Your Boots at the 2009 Grammy Awards

U2 opened the 51st Grammy Awards with Get On Your Boots. Starting out behind the band, Bono threw familiar shapes against the backdrop of a large screen showing images – different from those used in the video – and the lyrics to the song. Later he moved out in front near the crowd, removing his trademark shades to reveal his new mascara-look while belting out the final bars of the song: ‘Let me in the sound, let me in the sound…’

Unfortunately, the crew didn’t hear his plea. Sound is apparently not the main priority for the Grammy Awards organisation.

Seating Assignment

It seems the Grammy people have figured out that the quickest way to get Bono to the stage at tonight’s Grammy Awards ceremony is to put him in the aisle seat, where there will be fewer people to climb over and kiss on his way to the podium. With U2 up for five awards, Bono is sure to make a few trips to the stage — well, at least we’re rooting that he and his bandmates will. In addition to (hopefully) picking up some golden gramophone statuettes tonight, U2 will be performing “One” with Mary J. Blige. The Edge will also be a part of a musical tribute honoring New Orleans and Southern music with an “all-star supergroup” that includes Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello.
(Photo: Reuters)

U2 receive Grammy nominations

U2 received a whopping five Grammy nominations from the Recording Academy today in the following categories:

  • Album of the Year (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)
  • Song of the Year (“Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own”)
  • Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own”)
  • Best Rock Song (“City of Blinding Lights”)
  • Best Rock Album (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)

Friend and producer Steve Lillywhite also was nominated in the category of Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, for his work on How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

The 48th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 8, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.