Friday, June 19, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
I wish I could tell you more about the new U2 stage, but it should be noted that not many people have actually seen it yet. On the other side of the planet from the United States, in warehouse and most likely in fields the construction has begun.
Also, since we have only seen conceptual images of the stage, many engineers/architects and the like are probably scratching their heads putting this concept together.
It's almost like a "War of the Worlds" imagery and the last thing a band with the (ego), I have to laugh....self-esteem, may I say, would to be that [it] would have a major/minor wardrobe malfuntion. Given the size, could be a huge catastrophe.....more to come...we are waiting for the first real pictures.
Also, since we have only seen conceptual images of the stage, many engineers/architects and the like are probably scratching their heads putting this concept together.
It's almost like a "War of the Worlds" imagery and the last thing a band with the (ego), I have to laugh....self-esteem, may I say, would to be that [it] would have a major/minor wardrobe malfuntion. Given the size, could be a huge catastrophe.....more to come...we are waiting for the first real pictures.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
OH MY GAWD......HERE IT COMES!!!
U2 Tour News
Inside U2's Plans to Rock Stadiums Around the Globe
March 23, 2009
Rolling Stone graphic
Source: Rolling Stone
Brian Hiatt
Toward the end of U2's last tour, in November 2006, longtime show director Willie Williams presented the band with sketches of a four-legged monster -- a massive structure with speakers mounted on each side that would allow the group to play stadium shows in the round. On the new U2 360° Tour, which hits the U.S. beginning September 12th, in Chicago (and kicks off in Barcelona, on June 30th), Williams' vision will finally come to life. "The band is just sitting in the palm of the audience's hand," says Williams. "It really works." Adds Bono, "It creates this real physical proximity to the crowd."
The U.S. dates (13 cities this fall, and then another leg in spring 2010) will be U2's first stadium shows here since their troubled PopMart Tour -- and in a nod to the economic crisis, tickets will be priced as low as $30. "Once the engineering had been devised, it obviously has the effect of expanding the capacity of the stadiums," says U2 manager Paul McGuinness. "And it enables us to subsidize lower-priced tickets with higher-priced tickets." Adds drummer Larry Mullen Jr., "Will we sell it out? Who knows? Will the economic situation have an impact? Probably. But that's not going to stop us." With 120 trucks needed just to cart the stage around, the tour will be U2's most expensive ever -- the band will defray costs in part by taking on a corporate sponsor for the first time, BlackBerry. (Conscious of its environmental impact, the group will be purchasing carbon offsets.)
U2 have already had a chance to play live versions of several songs from No Line on the Horizon, which came out on March 3rd -- their promotional blitz included an entire week on the David Letterman show, as well as a March 11th theater gig just outside of Boston. The band is also shooting a video for the album's second single, "Magnificent" -- among the candidates for future singles are "Breathe" and "Moment of Surrender."
Bono hopes the tour will be more than just a spectacle. "We want to play for each other as much as we want to play for the crowd this time," he says. "You just don't know how long you are going to be doing this. When we walk out onstage, the hairs on people's necks go up -- but what people don't know is that the hairs on our necks go up too."
Meet the Claw: U2's Massive New Stage Set:
Inspiration: U2 show director Willie Williams got the idea for the in-the-round set (nicknamed "the Claw") from the futuristic, Disney-style Theme Building at LAX: It looks like a spaceship on four legs.
Structure: At 164 feet tall, the Claw, Williams says, is twice as high as the previous largest stadium stage set, from the Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang tour. "Theirs would fit underneath this one," he says.
Sound System: Each of the Claw's four sides will have its own full-size sound system -- each powerful enough for an entire arena. There will also be 72 separate subwoofers.
Logistics: Currently being assembled in pieces around the world, the set will be made of solid steel -- 120 trucks will cart it from show to show.
© Rolling Stone, 2009.
Inside U2's Plans to Rock Stadiums Around the Globe
March 23, 2009
Rolling Stone graphic
Source: Rolling Stone
Brian Hiatt
Toward the end of U2's last tour, in November 2006, longtime show director Willie Williams presented the band with sketches of a four-legged monster -- a massive structure with speakers mounted on each side that would allow the group to play stadium shows in the round. On the new U2 360° Tour, which hits the U.S. beginning September 12th, in Chicago (and kicks off in Barcelona, on June 30th), Williams' vision will finally come to life. "The band is just sitting in the palm of the audience's hand," says Williams. "It really works." Adds Bono, "It creates this real physical proximity to the crowd."
The U.S. dates (13 cities this fall, and then another leg in spring 2010) will be U2's first stadium shows here since their troubled PopMart Tour -- and in a nod to the economic crisis, tickets will be priced as low as $30. "Once the engineering had been devised, it obviously has the effect of expanding the capacity of the stadiums," says U2 manager Paul McGuinness. "And it enables us to subsidize lower-priced tickets with higher-priced tickets." Adds drummer Larry Mullen Jr., "Will we sell it out? Who knows? Will the economic situation have an impact? Probably. But that's not going to stop us." With 120 trucks needed just to cart the stage around, the tour will be U2's most expensive ever -- the band will defray costs in part by taking on a corporate sponsor for the first time, BlackBerry. (Conscious of its environmental impact, the group will be purchasing carbon offsets.)
U2 have already had a chance to play live versions of several songs from No Line on the Horizon, which came out on March 3rd -- their promotional blitz included an entire week on the David Letterman show, as well as a March 11th theater gig just outside of Boston. The band is also shooting a video for the album's second single, "Magnificent" -- among the candidates for future singles are "Breathe" and "Moment of Surrender."
Bono hopes the tour will be more than just a spectacle. "We want to play for each other as much as we want to play for the crowd this time," he says. "You just don't know how long you are going to be doing this. When we walk out onstage, the hairs on people's necks go up -- but what people don't know is that the hairs on our necks go up too."
Meet the Claw: U2's Massive New Stage Set:
Inspiration: U2 show director Willie Williams got the idea for the in-the-round set (nicknamed "the Claw") from the futuristic, Disney-style Theme Building at LAX: It looks like a spaceship on four legs.
Structure: At 164 feet tall, the Claw, Williams says, is twice as high as the previous largest stadium stage set, from the Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang tour. "Theirs would fit underneath this one," he says.
Sound System: Each of the Claw's four sides will have its own full-size sound system -- each powerful enough for an entire arena. There will also be 72 separate subwoofers.
Logistics: Currently being assembled in pieces around the world, the set will be made of solid steel -- 120 trucks will cart it from show to show.
© Rolling Stone, 2009.
MORE ON THAT BIG STAGE
Column: U2’s Claw shows Bono’s hypocritical attitude
By Christopher Stokum
March 31, 2009
Source: The Pitt News, U. Pittsburgh
EmailPrint
The people of Chicago will see all sides of U2 on Sept. 12.
They’ll see the politics and the anthems, the graying hair and the sweat of the legendary rock group, as U2 embarks on the U.S. leg of their “U2 360°” tour, which officially begins on June 30 in Barcelona, Spain.
They’ll also see the tour’s extravagant centerpiece, a four-armed hulk of steel, speakers and video screens affectionately dubbed “The Claw” by the band. The set will straddle a circular stage and allow ravenous fans to view the band from all angles.
Designed by U2’s show director, a man with the distinct misfortune to be named Willie Williams, and reportedly inspired by a similar spindly building at Los Angeles International Airport, The Claw will be twice as tall as the previous record holder for the largest stadium set, from The Rolling Stones’ 2005 “A Bigger Bang” tour.
The 164-foot-tall set will be made of solid steel, with each arm housing 18 subwoofers and requiring the amount of electricity needed to power an entire arena. Fans will be mercilessly assaulted by The Edge’s jangling guitars and Bono’s great sunglassed activism.
But speaking of Bono’s activism, what happened to Africa?
He’s well-known for his philanthropy and advocacy. As the cofounder of multiple humanitarian organizations and brands like Product Red and the ONE Campaign, he’s been nominated for a Nobel Prize and awarded an honorary knighthood. He’s brought millions of dollars to the African continent to help with AIDS relief, fair wages, labor ethics and refugee support.
Bono seems, surprisingly, like a rock star with a conscience, like someone who hasn’t forgotten about people with two names or their problems.
But as much as Bono has tried to model himself and, more importantly, his image after the socially aware musicians of the past — big fish who fought for the guppies of the world like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger — he can’t seem to shake the idea of being Bono. And The Claw is the most recent and colossal example.
The estimated cost of The Claw hasn’t been released, but one can safely assume it doesn’t fall in the three- or four-digit range. Money will undoubtedly be poured into it, and in large amounts. They’ll have to pay for the steel framework and the scores of speakers, plus the electricity needed to power the set and the fuel for the 120 trucks required to transport it between cities, not to mention the personnel needed to design, manufacture, move, assemble, disassemble and oversee the behemoth, which appears to have been styled after either a crab or one of Isaac Asimov’s nightmares.
Taking this into account, Bono appears to be the worst kind of hypocrite – one who isn’t at all aware that he is one. His band is spending untold thousands on something designed purely to make them look cool, all as he supposedly crusades to rescue a continent.
I’m not the first to bash Bono. He has attracted criticism for his humanitarian work over the past few decades from those who think rock stars should stick to drugs, sex and writing music about select subjects, namely drugs and sex.
But there’s no need for him to abandon his efforts. I am not suggesting that he play to the stereotype of the musician, and I have no qualms with a celebrity using their fame to benefit others. Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and the powerhouse duo that is Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie seem to manage without sacrificing their stardom. Bono is simply attempting to live two lives that do not get along well, and soon, one of them will have to end.
Singers rely on their audience believing the words they warble. If Bono wants his listeners to take kindly to tunes about life in Dublin, he shouldn’t drop his Irish accent. If he wants them to tolerate the idealistic ramblings of songs like “One,” he should continue blathering about the mystery and magic of rock ’n’ roll in countless interviews.
And if he wants anyone to believe that he actually cares about Africa and its people, he should stop spending extraordinary amounts of money on gargantuan and, in all honesty, absurd concert sets.
Bono has a choice. He can cement himself as a humanitarian hero by continuing to champion human rights and global awareness. Or he can keep on crooning under soaring sets and join Kiss and Spinal Tap in the realm of the ridiculous.
Unless The Claw has a cure for AIDS, poverty, hunger and war, he can’t choose both.
This story was originally published by The Pitt News
To view the original story, click here
By Christopher Stokum
March 31, 2009
Source: The Pitt News, U. Pittsburgh
EmailPrint
The people of Chicago will see all sides of U2 on Sept. 12.
They’ll see the politics and the anthems, the graying hair and the sweat of the legendary rock group, as U2 embarks on the U.S. leg of their “U2 360°” tour, which officially begins on June 30 in Barcelona, Spain.
They’ll also see the tour’s extravagant centerpiece, a four-armed hulk of steel, speakers and video screens affectionately dubbed “The Claw” by the band. The set will straddle a circular stage and allow ravenous fans to view the band from all angles.
Designed by U2’s show director, a man with the distinct misfortune to be named Willie Williams, and reportedly inspired by a similar spindly building at Los Angeles International Airport, The Claw will be twice as tall as the previous record holder for the largest stadium set, from The Rolling Stones’ 2005 “A Bigger Bang” tour.
The 164-foot-tall set will be made of solid steel, with each arm housing 18 subwoofers and requiring the amount of electricity needed to power an entire arena. Fans will be mercilessly assaulted by The Edge’s jangling guitars and Bono’s great sunglassed activism.
But speaking of Bono’s activism, what happened to Africa?
He’s well-known for his philanthropy and advocacy. As the cofounder of multiple humanitarian organizations and brands like Product Red and the ONE Campaign, he’s been nominated for a Nobel Prize and awarded an honorary knighthood. He’s brought millions of dollars to the African continent to help with AIDS relief, fair wages, labor ethics and refugee support.
Bono seems, surprisingly, like a rock star with a conscience, like someone who hasn’t forgotten about people with two names or their problems.
But as much as Bono has tried to model himself and, more importantly, his image after the socially aware musicians of the past — big fish who fought for the guppies of the world like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger — he can’t seem to shake the idea of being Bono. And The Claw is the most recent and colossal example.
The estimated cost of The Claw hasn’t been released, but one can safely assume it doesn’t fall in the three- or four-digit range. Money will undoubtedly be poured into it, and in large amounts. They’ll have to pay for the steel framework and the scores of speakers, plus the electricity needed to power the set and the fuel for the 120 trucks required to transport it between cities, not to mention the personnel needed to design, manufacture, move, assemble, disassemble and oversee the behemoth, which appears to have been styled after either a crab or one of Isaac Asimov’s nightmares.
Taking this into account, Bono appears to be the worst kind of hypocrite – one who isn’t at all aware that he is one. His band is spending untold thousands on something designed purely to make them look cool, all as he supposedly crusades to rescue a continent.
I’m not the first to bash Bono. He has attracted criticism for his humanitarian work over the past few decades from those who think rock stars should stick to drugs, sex and writing music about select subjects, namely drugs and sex.
But there’s no need for him to abandon his efforts. I am not suggesting that he play to the stereotype of the musician, and I have no qualms with a celebrity using their fame to benefit others. Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and the powerhouse duo that is Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie seem to manage without sacrificing their stardom. Bono is simply attempting to live two lives that do not get along well, and soon, one of them will have to end.
Singers rely on their audience believing the words they warble. If Bono wants his listeners to take kindly to tunes about life in Dublin, he shouldn’t drop his Irish accent. If he wants them to tolerate the idealistic ramblings of songs like “One,” he should continue blathering about the mystery and magic of rock ’n’ roll in countless interviews.
And if he wants anyone to believe that he actually cares about Africa and its people, he should stop spending extraordinary amounts of money on gargantuan and, in all honesty, absurd concert sets.
Bono has a choice. He can cement himself as a humanitarian hero by continuing to champion human rights and global awareness. Or he can keep on crooning under soaring sets and join Kiss and Spinal Tap in the realm of the ridiculous.
Unless The Claw has a cure for AIDS, poverty, hunger and war, he can’t choose both.
This story was originally published by The Pitt News
To view the original story, click here
One More From The Road
U2’s “Claw” reveals the hidden purpose behind Larry, Adam
Posted by Chris on March 24th, 1:30 pm
U2 will have an enormous, 164 foot tower on stage with them on their upcoming tour, dubbed “The Claw.” It is the largest set piece in rock history. What else would Bono and The Edge rock under?
I’ve always pondered why other members Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton never felt the urge to get stage names. It makes me wonder how they feel about playing with a singer who needs no last name and a guitarist with a name that’s more of a concept than a title. Plus, The Claw now looms over all of them.
In my head, Larry and Adam didn’t give a damn when stage names were being picked. They just shook their heads in amazement as Bono and The Edge were born, and then decided they would rock too much to need nicknames.
Larry and Adam don’t have a column in the New York Times, haven’t written a Spider-man musical, and often show up in the back of photos of the band. That’s precisely what makes them so worthy of adoration.
They keep the dream alive for the average man. Larry and Adam sound like the names of your uncles. Your uncles could ball-out with Bono and The Edge, provided they learned awesome bass and drums. Hats off to Adam and Larry, the silent heroes of U2.
Posted by Chris on March 24th, 1:30 pm
U2 will have an enormous, 164 foot tower on stage with them on their upcoming tour, dubbed “The Claw.” It is the largest set piece in rock history. What else would Bono and The Edge rock under?
I’ve always pondered why other members Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton never felt the urge to get stage names. It makes me wonder how they feel about playing with a singer who needs no last name and a guitarist with a name that’s more of a concept than a title. Plus, The Claw now looms over all of them.
In my head, Larry and Adam didn’t give a damn when stage names were being picked. They just shook their heads in amazement as Bono and The Edge were born, and then decided they would rock too much to need nicknames.
Larry and Adam don’t have a column in the New York Times, haven’t written a Spider-man musical, and often show up in the back of photos of the band. That’s precisely what makes them so worthy of adoration.
They keep the dream alive for the average man. Larry and Adam sound like the names of your uncles. Your uncles could ball-out with Bono and The Edge, provided they learned awesome bass and drums. Hats off to Adam and Larry, the silent heroes of U2.
More from U2.com
YES, THIS IS THE MOST MASSIVE STAGE STRUCTURE EVER BUILT!!
'Meet the Claw'24 March 2009
'It really works.' says Bono, 'It creates this real physical proximity to the crowd.' Rolling Stone on Willie Williams' design for the upcoming tour...
'Toward the end of U2's last tour, in November 2006, longtime show director Willie Williams presented the band with sketches of a four-legged monster - a massive structure with speakers mounted on each side that would allow the group to play stadium shows in the round. On the new tour, which hits the U.S. beginning September 12th, in Chicago (and kicks off in Barcelona, on June 30th), Williams' vision will finally come to life. "The band is just sitting in the palm of the audience's hand," says Williams. "It really works." Adds Bono, "It creates this real physical proximity to the crowd."
Meet the Claw: U2's Massive New Stage Set
Inspiration: U2 show director Willie Williams got the idea for the in-the-round set (nicknamed "the Claw") from the futuristic, Disney-style Theme Building at LAX: It looks like a spaceship on four legs.
Structure: At 164 feet tall, the Claw, Williams says, is twice as high as the previous largest stadium stage set, from the Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang tour. "Theirs would fit underneath this one," he says.
Sound System: Each of the Claw's four sides will have its own full-size sound system - each powerful enough for an entire arena. There will also be 72 separate subwoofers.
Logistics: Currently being assembled in pieces around the world, the set will be made of solid steel - 120 trucks will cart it from show to show.
Read the whole piece.
ShareThis
www.u2.com
'Meet the Claw'24 March 2009
'It really works.' says Bono, 'It creates this real physical proximity to the crowd.' Rolling Stone on Willie Williams' design for the upcoming tour...
'Toward the end of U2's last tour, in November 2006, longtime show director Willie Williams presented the band with sketches of a four-legged monster - a massive structure with speakers mounted on each side that would allow the group to play stadium shows in the round. On the new tour, which hits the U.S. beginning September 12th, in Chicago (and kicks off in Barcelona, on June 30th), Williams' vision will finally come to life. "The band is just sitting in the palm of the audience's hand," says Williams. "It really works." Adds Bono, "It creates this real physical proximity to the crowd."
Meet the Claw: U2's Massive New Stage Set
Inspiration: U2 show director Willie Williams got the idea for the in-the-round set (nicknamed "the Claw") from the futuristic, Disney-style Theme Building at LAX: It looks like a spaceship on four legs.
Structure: At 164 feet tall, the Claw, Williams says, is twice as high as the previous largest stadium stage set, from the Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang tour. "Theirs would fit underneath this one," he says.
Sound System: Each of the Claw's four sides will have its own full-size sound system - each powerful enough for an entire arena. There will also be 72 separate subwoofers.
Logistics: Currently being assembled in pieces around the world, the set will be made of solid steel - 120 trucks will cart it from show to show.
Read the whole piece.
ShareThis
www.u2.com
The Claw of U2
As if U2 hasn't had their fan base in a "claw" for years, here they have come up with another outrageous stage set up.......more to come.
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