Update from the NYC book signing
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….
Joann said,
September 26, 2006 @ 11:36 am
One of the 250, very happy and lucky fans was in my taxi last night.
KswingU23 said,
September 26, 2006 @ 2:51 pm
After arriving at Union Square ridiculously early this morning (roughly 3am), I regret to inform anyone that WAS fortunate enough to receive a wristband that the aforementioned method for entry was not how it went down. There was no differentiating between U2.com members and non-members in line. As a result, the 100 wristbands or so were given to the people in line first, regardless of membership. I find fault with this as I have a big 3-digit number on my hand in the very low 100’s. Needless to say, I have had a long, disappointing day, which CERTAINLY was not made better by the greedy people who are turning around and selling their copies of the book on eBay. It’s just quite unfair as a big fan of the band to see people whose enthusiasm is questionable at best to be lucky enough to be at the signing, rather than straining for glimpses from the third floor. sigh
The BoNo FReaK :-p... said,
September 26, 2006 @ 3:45 pm
Here’s what I want to know?
I received one of those emails from U2.com, and unfortunatley I did not see this email until after the 8pm deadline…. ARGH! )-: I so wanted to go because September 26 is my birthday…. OMG…. what a present that would have been… now I can only sigh… )-:
Okay… back to what I want to know is if you were one of the lucky 150 chosen at random by U2.com– I take it you were responsible for your own transportation to New York that day. Anyone know the answer to this one. Please email me at: ww2aceusa@charter.net Just curious how the contest was done concerning travel for the winners.
The BoNo FReaK; St. Charles, MO
TCB Walsh said,
September 27, 2006 @ 11:58 am
I saw the band come in the back entrance of Barnes & Noble and too some photos. See & read about it hear on my site ROCK TURTLENECK:
http://rockturtleneck.blogspot.com/
SupermanU2 said,
September 27, 2006 @ 4:03 pm
I was one of the lucky hundred. I went on the line at 8 pm the night before. Although it was exciting to see U2 and get my book signed I was extremely disappointed for a couple reasons.
About 25% of the line was non-U2 fans getting the book for ebay (was obvious who was a fan and who wasn’t). The other disappointment was the the girl in the front of the line. She was writing down names and putting numbers on people’s hands. She claimed to get there at noon and stayed all day then left to go home. I got there and she had just left. She did not come back until bout 6 in the morning. It was really unfair to the people who did stay in line. On top of that she put her friends down for numbers two, three, and four. These girls didn’t show up till about 7. You can imagine how it was to the the fans who waited in the night dealing with the drunk ebayers and fights in the street. So a big FU to that girl. While she was at home sleeping and resting looking pretty for U2 there were other real fans who pushed the night. If u need to leave for an hour or two for food or to take care of business I understand but she was gone for 10 hours, and we in the back counted. I feel real bad to the people who did not make the cutoff point due to people cutting the line and say that there needs to be a revision of the GA and first come first serve basis. It is not official and too many people are losing out due to the greediness of the front. I feel that there should be some more concerns raised for this point.
PS
to that girl…..Karma….what goes around comes around. I hope you enjoyed the U2 signing cause for your cutting and letting others cut you were wrong.
SupermanU2 said,
September 27, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
Oh forgot…..also a big FU to the people who came, took a number from the girl, left, and came back in the morning. This one family cried to security and got put in front. Way to teach your kid about honesty and waiting.
jennluvsireland said,
September 27, 2006 @ 5:35 pm
It was awful.. i also received an email from U2.com and had like an hour to reply.. i was so upset that monday night, i drove to new york from virginia. i spoke to two employees from barnes and noble sean and brian…. and they said the line was short and they had plenty of wristbands. when i arrived tuesday at 3:30 am.. there were maybe 60 people sleeping on the ground. (real u2 fans) after standing for nearly six hours.. security let approx. 40 people in the building who were NOT in line and who were NOT u2.com members … then all of the dedicated fans who had been waiting over 20 hours.. IN LINE were told to leave.. nice huh?
Keir said,
September 27, 2006 @ 8:14 pm
Wow, immoral people took advantage of this to make some money on eBay? Shocking!
U2isABLE said,
September 28, 2006 @ 7:08 am
To respond to The Bono Freak: All “winners” were responsible for their own transportation to-and-from NYC.
To respond about eBay: interesting sidenote - it looks like the band themselves were playing a game with those who they thought were going to turn around and put their book on eBay. Larry put a circle with an X through some of the ones now appearing, and on others at least one band member signed it with some reference to eBay. There’s at least 5 of them up now on eBay that bear one (or both) of the markings.
In regard to who I call the “line nazis” - that’s nothing new. The GA line was ruled by similar groups (most of the time, the same group) who demanded the sharpie color, which hand was used, and amazingly enough - the same 10-12 people were always first no matter what…and so well rested because they went back to their rooms. Sounds like the same crew in NYC.
In regard to the U2.com memberships - yes, that does stink that they didn’t enforce the memberships for those queueing up, but then again, nothing was ever announced about that being a requirement. Only the 150 who won their admittance were required to have their membership information.
hibricc said,
September 28, 2006 @ 10:43 am
I don’t get the big deal about having your copy signed… just got mine from Amazon today, with all four signatures opposite the cover page.
PeaceMuseum.org said,
January 10, 2007 @ 2:19 am
Bono was standing right in front of me in September of 2005 outside the United Center in Chicago. It was the same year that Wim Wenders was standing right in front of me. And soon after, the Brian Eno myspace blogger posted a comment I sent about “The Million Dollar Hotel.” (I said I liked the mislead girl with all the old yellow paperback books. I collect old paperback classics too. And now I have that movie on VHS which they could’ve signed for me. I should be prepared like a good boyscout and bring something worthy of signing.) I shouldn’t covet that book too much I might go to hell for “Idol Worship” but damn I wish I was in New York at that moment in the bookstore. Peace and Love anyway, Ruben Santos Claveria in Chicago. When is that book going to be released on soft cover for poor bastards like me. I bought the Beatles Anthology on soft cover for under twenty dollars. U2 must live forever or else.