Love and Peace (I think)
Originally uploaded by mattmcgee.

If you haven’t checked out @U2’s Flickr Group lately, good time to do so. At right is one of the 60+ photos of mine uploaded from the two Seattle shows.

As you go through the group photo pool, also look for Seattle pics from Teresa (T.C.) of @U2 (like this one - ouch!) and muttlieb, and some great Denver pics from leddawg.

If you’re new to Flickr, create an account first … then use the JOIN THIS GROUP link on @U2’s Flickr Group home page, and then browse the photo pool, join the discussions, etc.

Yesterday, Vancouver-based U2 fans were treated to a special surprise — around 1:30 p.m. local time, U2 fan sites and area radio stations announced that the band would be shooting a video at GM Place, where they will perform two concerts today and tomorrow. Folks wishing to be part of the live audience were instructed to arrive at the venue immediately to line up for wristbands, which were to be distributed at 3:00 p.m. to the first 4,000 fans.

Luckily, @U2 staffers Teresa and Tassoula were already in town, hot on the trail and simply walked across the street to obtain their wristbands. Queuing at 1:40 p.m., T-n-T were approximately 53 and 54 in line (though they were never officially numbered) and there was no waiting. Venue staff cruised the line, placing each wristband on every individual arm and fans were allowed to come and go freely until 4:30 p.m., making sure (if possible) to return cell phones, pagers, beepers, cameras and any recording devices to their vehicles. If not, they would have to be checked in, which would lengthen the process considerably.

T-n-T quickly deposited their contraband back at their hotel room and returned to the line, confident that they were merely a few hours away from showtime. In reality, the next update they received was from U2 crew members who cased the line asking for U2.com members with evidence of their member status (4:00 p.m.). What they found was that not many folks (who had just been asked to remove their electronics from the premises) carry around a heavy metal card that typically provides no benefits upon presentation. Frightened, one T ran back to the hotel and retrieved hers, only to find out that it again provided no benefits upon presentation. Apparently, the crowd they got was more casual-fan-ready-for-their-close-up than die-hard-former-Propaganda-member-with-evidence-of-their-status.

It really became evident when everyone read the large bold sign that explained the video shoot was for the song City of Blinding Lights and started asking folks around them what type of song that was. One “fan” claimed “If it’s anything like R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts, I’m outta here.” Hardly a U2 family reunion.

As the day progressed it was clear the 5:00 p.m. target time for entry into the venue was just a joke. At 6:00 p.m. fans in line received word that 6:30 p.m. or no later than 7:00 p.m., they would definitely be let in and were given tickets with assigned seats. Cool! Except, the tickets were slightly out of order and T-n-T got separated. Oh well, the floor wristbands hadn’t been distributed, so there was still hope they’d make it in…until the stampede, which happened moments later as overzealous fans shoved and pushed their way to the front, hopping over barricades and slamming past other fans who’d been there longer to receive the coveted yellow bands. Not exactly organized.

The rumor was that they ran out of yellow bands after 100 fans had received them, but everyone was to report to their assigned seats anyway for the first part of the show.

At 7:06 p.m. Teresa and Tassoula entered the venue and took their seats in the fifth row, on The Edge’s side (trading spaces with other attendees, they did get to sit together). The crew scurried around preparing the equipment and instruments while U2 Stage Manager Rocko Reedy emerged to give instructions to the crowd. He asked that everyone simply act like they’re at a concert when the band is on the stage (be loud, etc.), and when they exit the stage “chill” (quietly) so the crew can discuss what needs to happen next.

At 8:23 p.m. U2 finally arrived to a warm welcome and went straight into City of Blinding Lights featuring the full pixel-panel effects, but neglecting to drop the confetti. Bono sang close to the rest of the band, demonstrating familiar dance moves and leaning on Adam for one verse. The crowd was responsive, but not many folks were singing along despite the great energy of the band. At the close of the first take, Bono jokingly said “We’ll play it a million times until Edge gets it right.” The crowd laughed and they launched into it for a second time.

After that, the band took a break as directors Alex Courtes and Martin Fougerol reviewed the footage and Bono took to the mike.

Bono: You’re the third contestant on Pop Idol! (approaching The Edge) Edge, are you nervous?

The Edge: (in a tiny voice) Yes. (laughter)

Bono: Is your mom here?

The Edge: (same tiny voice) Yes. (laughter)

Bono: (traveling back to the drum kit) Larry - what do you want for your birthday?

Larry: World peace.

Bono: (moving on to Adam) Why do you want to be the next Pop Idol?

Adam: So I can travel and meet people. (laughter)

What happened next? Everyone did the Hokey Pokey and they shook it all about. Seriously. Bono started “You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out” and the crowd (who actually knew the words to that tune) joined in.

Following that, it was two more doses of City, then the band took a break, played it one more time and took another break.

Before the sixth performance, Rocko returned to the stage and ordered folks that had yellow wristbands to file down the stairs in orderly lines and enter the ellipse. What really happened resembled the 80s video game Centipede, where the little worms start down the trail very orderly, then get faster and faster as their enemies try to eat them. It was a clumpy mess with yellow-wristbanded fans crowding the entrance, going in before their section was called and non-yellow-wristbanded fans complaining about their bad luck and shouting mean things.

Eventually, everyone was brought onto the floor for the confetti/special effects shot and the band sang the song one final time. The crowd grew restless and shouted about how hungry (for food) they were, to which Bono replied “This is sort of like a club show. You know I never liked club shows much…but I like this one (laughs, then looks to Larry). Lawrence?”

Cut to a powerful, passionate, hard-core rendition of Vertigo with the crowd actually singing along, knowing all of the words and performing the way the crew had been encouraging them to act all along. It was live.

Following that, it was straight into All Because of You with Bono taking his jacket off and hitting the tambourine and then he thanked the crowd for coming and left the stage.

At that point, folks were ready for more and starting chanting “One more!” “One More!” And after just a few minutes, the band returned, Bono said “Okay, one more. I’m going to try to calm myself down with this one. This is for my old man Bob Hewson.”

Cut to a heartfelt version of Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own (with Bono keeping the shades on), one more “thank you” to the crowd and that was that.

The fans were told more filming would take place at today’s show, so at this point it’s hard to envision what the crew will create from the video shoot footage and what they obtain tonight.

The more you learn the less you know, the less you find out as you go.

There’s been some 2006 Australian concert dates floating around on the ‘net thanks to http://www.accessallareas.net.au/Tours.php. Word from the U2 camp came today: nothing has been confirmed yet for Australian dates. So, hold tight - I’m sure we’ll hear something official sometime soon.

Reuters is reporting that Bono stayed with 2 fans at their home in Seattle while the band were in town for the past two concerts. The two lucky fans: Bill and Melinda Gates.

Gates told Reuters that he was one of the 20,000 screaming fans in attendance at the shows. For the full story, visit http://www.cnn.com and go to “offbeat news.”

Just got off the phone with M2 as he’s taking in the 2nd show in Seattle with other @U2 staffers. (Lucky folks! Well, someone has to be back at HQ updating everyone!).

He reports that during the last Kings of Leon song, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder took the stage with 2 tambourine and jammed with the Kings to close out their set. M2 said, “It was awesome!”

I’ll update more as the reports from Seattle come in through the night!

Darn living on the east coast - sleep is when the band are in the studio after all =)

UPDATE: 1:05 a.m. (EDT) - Just like manna from Heaven, I was woken up by my ringing cellphone to hear on the other end Bono’s voice and the lyrics “If I could, you know I would, If I could, I would - let it go….” - what lucky folks tonight in Seattle!

UPDATE: 2:05 a.m. (EDT) - M2 calls to let me listen to Vertigo. Why so late in the set? Well, this is the second time they’re doing the song! The setlist claims that 40 should have been the next song but perhaps like back during the Boy tour they’re doing the double take with the encore? Band leaves stage after 2nd round of Vertigo and houselights come up. First time a setlist doesn’t end with 40 on the tour.

Shades
Originally uploaded by u2page.

Here’s some info for your next U2 trivia contest… which celebrity specs are more popular, Bono or Elvis? The answer? Bono. Optician to the stars Dennis Roberts retired years ago, but is now back in the game thanks to EBay, the Internet and guys like Bono. Roberts designed Elvis’s over-the-top specs, and is now selling the molds used to make them for $2.5 million - but copies of Bono’s trademark shades are one of his biggest current sellers.

“People are very interested in Bono because he’s a tremendous draw,” says Roberts. His re-creations of Bono’s customized designer eyewear run the gamut from the yellow, pink, grey, red and blue hued lenses, to the Bulgaris, Romeo Giglis, Christian Diors and Black Fly wraparound frames, and cost up to $5,000. “Bono I never met, says the optician. I never met him, but I admire him, because there’s nobody out there other than Bono that has a sunglass trademark. He’s the only one. Bono has done wonders. He’s a phenomenon.

I’ll stick with my cheapo Target shades, but if you’re so inclined, there’s an entire ebay category devoted to Bono’s sunglasses — I should get out more.

Here’s some news bytes for your Sunday:

The Charlotte Observer has a story in today’s paper about the December 12 Vertigo tour stop selling out (17,000 tickets) in 59 minutes. Management at the new arena say that they’re pleased with how it went, but the newspaper was able to find a few folks who had glitches with the online ticketing system. According to the newspaper, this was the first time the arena sold tickets to a major event, and that the ticketing was not through Ticketmaster, rather through the arena itself through an agreement with the city. To read the full story: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/11475389.htm

The Tallahassee Democrat newspaper has a story in today’s news as well about the upcoming release of Bono: In Conversation. The review ends by saying, “Bono is never dull.” Interesting. To read the full story: http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/entertainment/books/11454286.htm

The Sacramento Bee has an opinion piece in today’s paper about the need for newer, more state-of-the-art arenas in the Sacramento area. Writer Jim Kozimor states, “In an April 6 column in the Orlando Sentinel regarding that city’s struggle to build a new venue, some eye-opening observations were made. Among them: Orlando lost its bid to host the upcoming U2 Vertigo Tour concert. Reason? It lost out to a larger, state-of-the-art facility in Tampa.” The article concludes by saying “Like, say, improving economic impact and continuing to bring diverse entertainment to our community? Oh, and I just checked: U2 isn’t scheduled for a Sacramento visit on the Vertigo Tour. I wonder what we will miss out on next?”

And…for those who are still catching up on the news from the beginning of the month, The Spoof claimed that the Vertigo tour was being cancelled due to Homeland Security Threats. The story claims, “Credible evidence, from classified sources, leads us to believe that these four foreign nationals, calling themselves ‘U2′ were in fact in the country for purposes of gathering together large groups of American citizens…” To read the full spoof: http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s2i7786

As a side note - we have a lot of @U2 staff in Seattle for the next two days for the shows, including our own “person in charge of being in charge” Matt McGee. We should be hearing a lot more from our folks about the goings on in Seattle soon.

Oh - one other thing…I don’t know if you’ve found yourself doing this, but I have already done it twice. Now that the weather’s getting better, more people are driving around with their windows rolled down and their music cranked up past 11 on their dials. Recently, taking a walk around town, a car drove past with Vertigo on the radio. As soon as the car was close, the chorus of “Hello Hello” was heard and I yelled out “Hola!” to which the driver looked at me like I was in need of some help. You just can’t stop yourself from saying Hola when you hear Hello Hello. Is it just me? The folks at the bowling alley I went to last night also gave me that same look as I went up to bowl while Vertigo was playing and I yelled out Hola to the pins as I let the bowling ball go. It’s pavlovian, isn’t it?

Sioux Falls paper the Argus Leader reports that the frontman for a local band “Kory & The Fireflies” will be joining U2 for the next week, as a guest of the band. “The Kory & the Fireflies frontman from Sioux Falls takes flight Saturday for a weeklong stretch traveling with U2. Van Sickle’s backstage stint isn’t out of the blue, as he has had a 20-year connection to the rock band. Van Sickle says his U2 experiences started at a March 1985 concert in Denver. He made his way from the crowd up on stage, only to be greeted by U2 singer Bono, who dressed Van Sickle in his hat and jacket and introduced him to the crowd as Bono. Van Sickle says he since has “bumped into them in funny sorts of ways over the years.” I just don’t have that kind of U2 karma - have a great time Kory!

Many of you have probably seen the recent photos and stories about the new Edun clothing line. The label was created by Bono, his wife Ali Hewson, and New York Designer Rogan to provide an alternative to the socially unconscious, mass-produced fashions that saturate the industry.

By using fair trade practices and natural materials such as organic cotton, the revolutionary Edun brand promotes a new way of thinking about how we shop and more importantly how we treat those who are responsible for producing the goods.

The styles are a mix of earthy simplicity and delicate beauty, with offerings for both men and women. Eccentric accents such as pocket poetry and buttons shaped like hearts add the special touch that makes this collection unique.

With prices starting at $55, the fashions don’t come cheap, but for those of us willing to pony up the extra money, the reward is purging all of the “polyester-white-trash-made-in-nowhere” clothes from our closets.

Dive in folks — the new Edun website can be found by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

http://www.edun.ie/

The only band that could ever steal me away from U2 has a new album coming out in a couple months, a new single (”Speed of Sound”) now hitting radio, and a promotional machine that’s cranking up much like U2’s does for a new album and single.

And just like the days when A Rush of Blood to the Head was released, the Coldplay-U2 comparisons are starting to fly in full force. From this interesting article about the business side of things comes a quote from NME:

“Coldplay follow a tradition of great British bands,” said Julian Marshall, news editor of New Musical Express. “I have heard the full record. It is easily as strong as their last album. I think they are now up there with U2.”

No doubt there will be more of that. Much more.