Originally Posted by mcaito

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. .

Originally Posted by robbrecon72

USA leg 2009
Total gross $52,420,880
Total shows 8
Sold out 8
Attendance 551,898
Average attendance 68,987

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by robbrecon72

u2 boxscores usa!
giants stadium $16,128,950 161,810/161,810 2/2
soldier field $13,860,480 135,872/135,872 2/2
gillette stadium $12,859,778 138,805/138,805 2/2
rogers center $9,571,672 115,411/115,411 2/2

Originally Posted by Maoilbheannacht

The #1 reason U2 has not soldout in these cities is because of the 360 stage set up. Few people dare to play stadiums in these cities and no one has ever played them in a 360 set up before. The 360 set up free's up tens of thousands of more seats that would normally be blocked by the stage. This makes it incredibly difficult, or essentially impossible to sellout these venues in these cities given the size of the stadium, and the size of the market.

Originally Posted by CosmoKramer

Take it a step further. In 1997, U2 sold out 2 shows at Giants Stadium. I believe they sold 46,666 seats for each show (the 3rd show only 36k) and it was considered "sold out". The most recent two shows played to 84k and 77k respectively. So clearly, the stage adds a great deal of seats (thats near double capacity from 46k to 84k)...WOW

Originally Posted by Maoilbheannacht

These were the results for GIANTS Stadium POPMART:

U2 POPMART TOUR:

May 31, June 1, 3, 1997
East Rutherford, New Jersey
Giants Stadium
GROSS: $6,499,131
ATTENDANCE: 129,644
SHOWS: 3
SELLOUTS: 0
Average Ticket Price: $50.13


None of the three Giants Stadium shows on POPMART soldout although the first two shows did look full. Most shows that are not in 360 sellout at about 55,000 to 60,000 at Giants Stadium.

Originally Posted by Maoilbheannacht

These were the results for GIANTS Stadium POPMART:

U2 POPMART TOUR:

May 31, June 1, 3, 1997
East Rutherford, New Jersey
Giants Stadium
GROSS: $6,499,131
ATTENDANCE: 129,644
SHOWS: 3
SELLOUTS: 0
Average Ticket Price: $50.13


None of the three Giants Stadium shows on POPMART soldout although the first two shows did look full. Most shows that are not in 360 sellout at about 55,000 to 60,000 at Giants Stadium.

Originally Posted by The_acrobat

I'm pretty sure Chicago 2 was sold out. Unless there were 5,000 single empty seats sparatically spread throughout the stadium. There were no noticeable sections of empty seats. Believe me, I was looking for empties.

Originally Posted by Maoilbheannacht

Think again. They have the 2nd biggest selling album worldwide of the year and the U2 360 tour will soon be the highest grossing and highest attended tour in history. Its possible the tour will gross $700 million with 6.5 million to 7 million in attendance. 2nd Biggest selling album of the year plus the most successful tour in history is not a sign of declining relevance, its the exact opposite.

Best Selling Albums in 2009 WORLDWIDE as of WEEK 39

1. Lady Gaga The Fame 3,583,000
2. U2 No Line On The Horizon 3,295,000

Originally Posted by CosmoKramer

Do you have an official source (more official than my notebook , which I got the info from Billboard mag back in 97)?

Originally Posted by CosmoKramer

What do you have for PoPMart Chicago? I have 42,500, (sold out), 42,500 (sold out) and 31,972 with a total gross of 5,956,587. My LA PoPMart is 64,488 sold out, which if they are playing to 90k for 360, would be a 25k increase, which is HUGE!