12 Months To Wait - U2 in Seville 2010

So, U2 are back in Europe next year. It’s almost 12 months before they hit Spain, and I already have Seville tickets in hand. Whats going on here?

And wait, it gets worse: I have accommodations booked for both Seville and Coimbra (in Portugal). I can’t book flights yet, as it’s too far ahead. Some friends call me DM Travel, but isn’t this getting a bit ridiculous?

The only band I would do this for is U2. You would think that after attending five U2 360 gigs in July this year that I would have enough.

No. I want more, and with the carrot of a new album being released and performed live, it sounds like an even better idea. It’s a repeat of Zooropa in 1993, where they took a break from touring, put out the new album, and then gradually added the new songs.

But there are other reasons. Seville is an incredible city, steeped in history, character, charm and tasty Tapas. I was there briefly about 10 years ago and have waited for an excuse to go back; now I have it. Coimbra is in central Portugal. I know nothing about the city — which is a great reason to go there — and it’s the last gig of the European tour (for now at least!). U2 have apparently been instrumental in me seeing parts of the world I would not have gone to, and I was not even aware of it.
13 European dates in 2010 have been announced at the time of writing, and many more cities will be added. I would expect the second European leg to end up with around 20 to 24 gigs by the time they are finished.

The question has to be asked: Why are U2 selling tickets for concerts 12 months in advance? It’s a complicated answer. I suspect it’s a combination of the cost of putting this show on the road that they will announce dates, see how they sell, and add more, depending on demand. There is the added complication of being in the middle of a fairly savage recession, which is affecting everyone, so the longer selling window is a smart option.

Why Europe dates first and not the U.S.? I firmly believe that Europe and the U.S. are very different markets. I don’t think a 12 month lead time would go down too well in the U.S., it just doesn’t happen that often. It happens a bit in Europe, there are many examples: most recently Glastonbury Music festival sold out all tickets and it’s not happening until late June in 2010. The other factor is that European demand for tickets has been stronger than the U.S. After the 2nd leg is complete, this will create more interest there.

It’s an almost 12 month wait before U2 play the Olympic Stadium in Seville. A long wait, perhaps, but also an exciting one. New songs and new setlists to look forward to.

Last 4 posts by Donal Murphy

• “Fans” film included help from @u2 staff and ex forum user Davey G. - December 28th, 2010
• If U2 play Dublin in 2011, where will they play ? - November 1st, 2010
• 5-Day Trip to Seville & Coimbra – Part 6 - October 21st, 2010
• 5-Day Trip to Seville & Coimbra – Part 5 - October 19th, 2010