Axver

Because not that many people want to see U2. Simple, no?

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indra

I told them to stick with the blue states.

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weinerdog

I think U2 has done amazingly well, all things considered. It's not entirely a Southern thing, IMO. The Boston shows looked to have 5-10k in empty seats total, and the upper decks looked at least 1/2 empty for Monday night. The economy is still garbage, and yet they're filling stadiums, or close to it thus far, when looking at all dates in 2009.

edit: wow, I'm an Acrobat

beershack

after DC, they are mostly playing crap markets for concerts (regardless of what the populations may be)

They've already hit 3 of their biggest US markets (CHI/BOS/NY). DC will have a huge crowd, but may not be sold out due to the sheer size of the stadium

A few crap markets, then Vegas & LA will be sold out at the end

BWU2Buffs

I think like 4 or 5 of those "crap markets" are also shows on 'school nights' -- can't say how much, but this could play a role -- the casual fan might show on a Friday night, but a Tuesday night with kids, soccer, class or whatever, it has to have some impact.

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digitize

I'd be going to Dallas or Houston if either of them were on a Friday or Saturday night.

Tommy WM

They would rather see the Jonas Brothers and Britney!

bonoschild2009

This is a valid point- PHX is on a Tuesday, which could pose a problem for someone with a jerky boss or someone who would have to fly or drive to the show...

thatsnotmypuppy

Huge venues, relatively soft selling curent album, lots of people don't really like stadium shows, questionable markets = not at capacity.

mcaito

Well, not to beat a dead horse, but I used to drop everything: family, job, etc. to fly or drive half way across the country to see a U2 concert. Paid premium broker prices if necessary. Not this time. Their power to draw, their ability to fill a stadium is not a reflection of the economy as much as it is a reflection of declining relevance. If they want to sell out stadiums, they need to go back to making the kind of music that turns radio on its head, that "effs the mainstream" (to quote Bono), and not do these concerts where a full 1/3 of the setlist consists of lackluster songs from a drab album that radio won't touch. Admit it, don't you long for the days when radio stations would play "Numb?" or even the much maligned "Discotheque?" Achtung Baby was the summit folks, but they still produced great work through the 90s and early 00s. NLOTH is just recycled U2. Most people, myself included, would MUCH rather hear the warhorses, or even the obscure gems ("So Cruel" or "The Hands That Built America") than these current yawners, which no amount of dressing up or stage extravagance can save.

indra

^

Given the quality of commercial radio these days, I'd be more worried if their songs were all over the airwaves.

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bonoschild2009

We all have our opinions...I for one love the new stuff and am content with the setlists as of late...they're not doing too bad anyway, breaking attendance records and all...Just goes to show that the band can't please everyone...I for one could care less if the show I go to is half-empty- I'll still be dancing my big fat ass off!!!

bratty_cat

not sure if this is true but in NY i heard that the tour is barely breaking even and that a lot of the shows are not close to selling out.

subnet

aren't those rap and fiddle states?

bonoschild2009

I wonder- it seems kind of inconsistent (admittedly I haven't researched this stuff)...Some shows are breaking attendance records and others report that some shows have 5,000-10,000 empty seats???