Like you’ve never heard it before…

(Thx BM)

For the full set of photos from today, visit our @U2 flickr page.

Reports from the NYC Book signing provided by @U2’s resident photographer, Phil (via cellphone)

6:30: Still on way home, but uploaded photos to the @U2 flickr site. Overall, it was a fun day. A friend of mine who won his wristband graciously offered to let me tag along for the long drive to and from NYC. Chatting with some people in line, they said that while most of the fans were in good spirits, there were a group of people who did join the line who threatened fights if they didn’t get in, and after watching the line finish after the book signing, these were the same people who were handing their signed copies of books to a guy standing near an elevator on the first floor. At one point, he had 2 bags of books already collected, paying the people off $100 per book. Expect to see them on eBay very soon. At least there were only about a dozen of those people out of the 250 who were in line.

One book was signed on behalf of the African Well Fund (generously donated by a fan who was in line) and will be made available during their next “Build a Well for Bono’s Birthday” campaign next year. Bono even signed it acknowledging the AWF.

Bono took the time to make drawings in the books, and on the whole, he and Edge were quite engaging in conversation. Good thing they were last at the table.

Congratulations to everyone who’s dreams were realized. It was fun covering it for @U2.

2:15: Larry, Adam, Bono and Edge make their way to see everyone. Those in line were chanting “U2…U2…U2″ as they were waiting, and then started yelling and screaming once the band became in view. Photogs shot for about 10 minutes, and then the line started moving. Signing should take about 2 hours given the long line. Also present were Paul McGuinnes, Dennis Sheehan and many from Principle Management. Photos and fan perspective to come later today. Watch all the major entertainment and news shows tonight and tomorrow for video coverage.

2:05: Band is in building, not able to be seen. Apparently, they are doing special meet/greets and interviews for national media in an adjacent room. From hearing chatter in line, it appears that there’s at least a dozen or so people who will be putting their signed books on eBay. Chatter among others in line is along the lines of disappointment that people would blatantly do that. What are you gonna do - it stinks it’s happening, but can’t stop it.

1:17: Fashionably late…no sign of band…at least everyone’s where they need to be…everyone…everyone…every one. (couldn’t resist)

12:50: Five minutes to go before the band arrives (can someone start up Arcade Fire?)

10:40 a.m.: The scene outside the Barnes and Noble’s in Union Square is a peaceful one as everyone who needed to go inside has since gone inside. In all, there are 250 wristbands that have been given out: 150 to U2.com members, and 100 to the first ones who queued up overnight. If you were number 101, sorry - you didn’t get in. As a result, there’s only 5 people (give or take) waiting outside with the hopes of seeing the band as they arrive - or perhaps being allowed in at the last minute should some of the U2.com winners not show up. Seems odd - the crowd was far bigger, but unlike in other cities, when the Barnes & Nobles people said “sorry - no more bands,” people just left - what’s up with that? Perhaps they’ll come back after getting some food or sitting on a soft seat (that pavement is quite hard). I dunno - seemed odd.

People were given bracelets and green cards with numbers on them to indicate where in line you’d be. The signing is taking place on the 4th floor of the bookstore, and customers are allowed inside the bookstore, but not allowed to the 4th floor.

Security can be found throughout the building, as well as outside the building. There are signs on the doors of the bookstore stating that all bags, cameras and cellphones must be handed to a Barnes & Noble staff member prior to entering the area. Photos are allowed to be taken from the floor, but cameras and cellphones must be handed to a Barnes & Noble staff member prior to going on the stage when you get the book signed. The authors will not be available to pose for photographs.

Also seen on the streets of New York City: people walking around in U2 by U2 promotional tshirts.

More info as it comes along….

Check your mailboxes if you entered the contest for the U2byU2 book signing in NYC for tomorrow - U2.com has sent out the notices.

Glad to see they also sent out “sorry, you didn’t win” emails too…that’s the one I got today. Oh well - best of luck to those who won…and blog here to tell us about your experience in NYC!

By the way - U2.com will be giving away signed copies of the book in the upcoming weeks, and their email said to continue to check U2.com for details…so there’s the second chance lottery!

CNN.com has a story covering U2 and Green Day’s opening of the Superdome, showing parts of last night’s rehearsal. Best part? The title under Edge saying “David ‘The Edge’ Evans” - how many times has Edge been on CNN? Why the formalities?

(photo courtesy of the Associated Press)

Awww…doesn’t it look like Li’l U2 at storytime? There’s another great idea for an Achtoon Baby feature

A fun time was had by all with the book signing today in London. U2.com has some photos up, and the folks at Yahoo! have photos too.

Congratulations to all the fans who were lucky to score a wristband. Blog here to tell us about your experience at Waterstones!

Tonight, shoppers at Nordstrom San Francisco Centre were treated to a special evening with Edun founder Ali Hewson and designer Rogan Gregory.

In town to promote the ONE Campaign T-shirts by Edun, the pair shared a video with the crowd featuring stars like Naomi Watts, Jimmy Fallon and Rosario Dawson. Following the presentation, they spoke briefly about the creation of their collection and their current efforts to bring more business to factories in Africa, Peru and India. Customers asked if the local governments were helping Edun, and Ali responded that in Lesotho specifically, they were getting “great support from the King.”

Trust me - that’s not something you hear every day in fashion.

Rogan also mentioned that usually in the apparel industry, designers want to keep their business model and ideas protected and secretive, but in this case, they’re encouraging other labels to borrow their ideas.

I sure hope they do.

Rolling Stone has a list of “the most forgetful singers of all time.”

Bet you’ll never guess who made the list.

(That would be yer man with the lyrics to “Walk On” in his hand Sept. 20, 2006, in Chicago.)

(Thanks to Amy M. for the tip.)

The gang over at coolhunting.com offer a sneak preview of the Gap’s Product RED holiday collection. The collection features t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, jeans, and various accessories with prices, reportedly, in the range of $10-$350. Gap Product RED launches their full line at flagship stores in the U.S., U.K., and online in October. Also going on sale is “Individuals: Portraits from the Gap Collection,” featuring photos of 265 celebrities who have posed for Gap ads over the years (see blog note 2 items down). The book will contain a limited edition music CD showcasing 12 songs heard in Gap ads. Proceeds from the sales of these items will be directed to Product RED, Bobby Shriver and Bono’s initiative to wipe out AIDS in Africa.

Notable caricature artist Naill O’Loughlin will be hosting his first exhibition on September 20 in Dublin at the Laughter Lounge.

Several limited-edition U2 prints will be up for sale in addition to portraits of The Beatles, Elton John, Phil Lynott and more.
To learn how to obtain an invitation and see photos of the prints that will be available, visit Niall O’Loughlin.com.

O’Laughlin is featured weekly in the Irish Sunday Mirror and has also appeared as a guest on the Late Late Show.

Just saw this online at vogue.co.uk:

VOGUE had a date with Gap last night at the National Portrait Gallery and it was just as glam as you might imagine. Putting everybody in the mood for the party circuit of the international collections - due to kick off in NYC this weekend - it brought the likes of Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Erin O’Connor, Roland Mouret, Zandra Rhodes, Max Wigram and Phoebe Philo, Nicky Haslam and Daphne Guinness together to see a preview of Gap’s new Individuals exhibition, featuring all the stars of its past ad campaigns. Portraits of those stars were plastered all over the gallery - including beneath the glass table top of the banquet table at which 90 of fashion’s most famous sat down to dinner later on - and they will shortly be put into a book that will be sold to raise money for Bono’s huge RED Aids awareness initiative. As industry parties go, this was one of the best - who says fashion people don’t eat? Leek, tomato pepper tart followed by wild halibut with langoustine and asparagus, then passion fruit sorbet and chocolate mousse meant we all have plenty of energy for the action ahead. (September 7 2006, AM) -Dolly Jones