HelloAngel

Exclusive: U2 Tour To Kick Off March 1


Look for U2 to start its world tour on March 1 in Florida in support of its new Interscope album, "How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," the band's manager Paul McGuinness tells Billboard.

"We'll play approximately 35 shows in the arenas in the spring in the U.S., McGuinness says. U2 will then play 30 stadium shows across Europe, return to North America for another 35-date arena swing and the proceed to Japan and Australia.

Rumors have circulated that potential openers include Snow Patrol and the Scissor Sisters. McGuinness said no decision has been made, but added "We love Snow Patrol. Their producer, Jacknife Lee, also worked on U2's album and they're Irish. There's a close connection."

The upcoming trek will be promoted by Clear Channel Entertainment's TNA International, which is spearheaded by president Arthur Fogel. U2's 2001 tour, also promoted by Fogel, grossed $104 million from 106 shows worldwide, according to Billboard Boxscore.

Continuing the move toward a more rock-driven approach emphasized on 2000's "All That You Can't Leave Behind," the new set is front-loaded with a host of satisfyingly straightforward tracks that should thrill U2 fans. Highlights include the chiming, strident "City of Blinding Lights," the powerful Edge showcase "All Because of You" and the emotive, atmospheric "Miracle Drug," where Bono scales the heights of his vocal register.

First single "Vertigo" is in third week at No. 1 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.


-- Melinda Newman, L.A. and Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/ar..._id=1000718870

Muad'zin

Typical.

By now the EU has more people then the US, a common currency and STILL the US gets more shows then the rest of the world combined. And probably a third of the European shows will be in the UK. Somebody should give McGuinness a new atlas and tell him that the world has changed. He has served the band very well in the past but its well past the 80's. They could do 3 times as much shows in Europe and still sell. South-America alone could probably do 30 dates and there are countries in the east other then Australia and Japan.

TiaraGurl

March 1st Miami was also mentioned in the Sunday 11/14 NY TImes article.

ultraviolet221

didn't they start off the elevation tour in maimi.? Whatever. If true I am so there. I want to see their opening and closing nights on this tour.. Plus go over to Ireland.(my u2 life long dream)

MissVelvetDress_75

Blue Room

N. America is the most profitable market. Its as simple as that. Its why we get more shows, more albums are sold here than in Europe so it makes sense that they would promote the album more here. Venue and tour costs tend to be lower here as well also making it more profitable. It is a business after all.

STING2

Actually some of that is false. U2's last album ATYCLB sold an equal amount of albums in Europe as it did in North America.


But lets remember that U2 is playing STADIUMS in Europe which on average hold 3 times as many people as Arena's. In that sense, the European 30 date Stadium tour is the equilalvent of 60 to 90 Arena shows.

GiacomoHoldini

Bummer for the people at the stadium shows, though, since only a small percentage of the seats there can equal the quality of the seats in an arena. I would rather see an arena show, myself.

Blue Room

StingII, I'm not going to dispute you because you are the attendence pro. BUT, N. America is the most important market as far as overall money making and attention. There is more than just album sales after all. I'm not saying Europe is not profitable. But there is a reason they spend more time here and its not because they are trying to screw Europe.

underwraps

Where do we sign up for the Pre Sales

cardosino

The reason U2 does more dates in the US is simple. Money. Yes, population of Europe may be even greater than in the US, but what is the average salary ? and corresponding ticket price ? There is a greater amount of disposabel income over here. Also, many people here are far away from shows due to the population densities, so having more shows allows more people who want to see them to get to them.

Larnyboy

Yes it really really nice sitting on your ass at a show,who wants to be at the front ,jumping around ,bet your glad you live in the good old US of HAY

HA HAR

cardosino

I've seen many many arena U2 shows here, never sat down once even though I always had an assigned seat.. Yup, sure am glad to be able to actually *see* them, got some beer drinking room, no one spilling shit or pushing me around, my relatively short S.O can see too. The USA ahs the best arenas and we get 2 tours almost every time. I AM glad I live here......enjoy your getting shoved around, having to line up early to get close, and the comfort of the stadium GA....

Larnyboy

i have heard that there are alot of restrictions in amurica,but if your happy to be restrictade ,then im happy for ya pal,seen them my self a few times NEVER sat down ,or had a seat in front , behind or to the side of me ,me thinks u should have a look at the kamasutra of gigs because buddy theres more postions to discover
swing ya pants pal

cardosino

What kinds of restrictions have you "heard" we have ?

Seen them about 60 times, all over the UK, US, and Europe from1981 to now, I think I've got a pretty good handle on the "gig" thing, but gee, thanks for your interest, and your creative English/spelling.