U2 - TV Blitz Concluded; "U2 360" Tour Dates and More Announced

OK, then 2 weeks went by :-)

U2 came back on Thursday and did Beautiful Day, which was great, but a let down for those of us hoping to hear another one off the new disc. Any one of No line on the horizon [title track], Moment of Surrender, Stand Up Comedy, Unknown Caller would have been phenomenal and equally thrilling to hear. Alas, they are playing to some of the less dedicated and stoking the popularity fire pre tour.

Friday morning was the Good Morning America appearance and the predictably horrible interview. The best thing I ever heard on GMA was when Springsteen did that show. Taking the microphone with the E Street Band assembled and ready to Rock ... The Boss looked out at the audience and cameras, a little bleary eyed, and without missing a beat said into the microphone: "wow, you gotta want to sell records bad to get up this early in the morning!" ROTFL...

Anyway, they did the same songs here as on the week of Letterman, Magnificent, "Boots," I'll Go Crazy if I dont' go Crazy Tonight, Beautiful Day, and finally Breathe for the audience only (as the camera cut away).

The songs and performances were great, but maybe the coolest thing was that it was at Fordham University, and it was so neat to see these guys, pushing 50 just like moi now, play to these college kids just like they were 18 years old themselves.

Following the week of television, they came back this Monday, and announced not only their first tour dates, but gave some details on the stage layout and architecture. Being hosted by Blackberry, and titled "U2 360," it was immediately clear that just as the All That You Can't Leave Behind tour changed the whole touring industry with the intimacy of "the heart" and the inner circle concept (subsequently adopted by numerous artists of all stripes) -- they are looking to reinvent the live experience yet again.

Set designer Willie Williams is back, and working with architects and engineers ... well, see for yourself!


Holy Smokes!

They open up in Barcelona on June 30. The first US date will be in Chicago at Soldier Field on September 12. Beyond that:

In September and October, U2 360° Tour will also visit: Atlanta, GA; Charlottesville, VA; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Norman, OK; Phoenix, AZ; Tampa, FL; Washington, DC and Vancouver, BC. Complete Tour and ticketing information to follow.

Magnificent!