March 2008 Archives

Edge of Reason

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The Edge has spoken of how his great friendship with fellow bandmates has contributed to the longevity of U2.

The U2 guitarist credits their three decades of music success to the comradeship that has bonded them together.

In an intimate interview with RTE presenter John Kelly, to be broadcast next week, the Edge reveals how it's the music that keeps him sane.

"There's something about performing our songs in front of a large crowd which works and it's to do with the fact, I think, that a lot of those people at those shows are there to celebrate not just their favourite band, or a favourite band of theirs, but part of their history," he said.

U2 3D - Exclusive Review!

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U23D is a revolutionary step in the art of the concert video. The concept alone is nothing short of genius - the viewer takes a seat in the cinema, puts on some 3D glasses and is suddenly transported to the front row of an arena concert of the biggest band in the world.

As the film begins and the volume of the crowd gradually increases, the excitement slowly builds. Suddenly the band takes the stage and bursts into Vertigo, the atmosphere is electric - the camera first pans the crowd jumping and singing along religiously, before suddenly zooming to within a foot of The Edge's guitar - its hard to restrain from reaching out and "touching him" as he strums the chords.

"You Only Care About Africa"

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HOME TRUTHS: Stuart Townsend blasts Bono over star's failure to back Save Tara campaign

Relations between two of Ireland's most famous men are set to turn frosty after actor Stuart Townsend lashed out at U2 frontman Bono.

The Irish actor slammed the world-famous singer for failing to step up and help in the fight to save the Hill of Tara.

And to add insult to injury he went on to claim that the humanitarian was more interested in helping those overseas that in getting involved in campaigns in his native Ireland.

"I don't know why Bono hasn't gotten involved so far. Maybe it's because his focus is on Africa and heritage isn't his thing," the actor claimed.

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The African Well Fund launched its sixth annual Bono's Birthday Well fundraiser on March 17th. Called "Walk to the Water... Walk with Me," the fundraiser aims to raise money in honor of Bono's May 10th birthday. Details of the project funded by this year's donations will be announced shortly.

Last year, over $34,000 was raised during the Bono's Birthday Well drive. Those funds were used toward projects at several schools in Uganda implemented in partnership with Invisible Children and Africare. These projects are currently underway.

To donate to Bono's Birthday Well, visit the fundraiser page. A virtual birthday card will be available for donors to send their wishes to Bono. The card will be sent to Bono via Principle Management. Donations will be accepted March 17th through May 10th.

If you would like to get involved in spreading the word on Bono's Birthday Well, flyers are available for download. Images and avatars are also available to use on any of your Web sites or forums. You can also add African Well Fund to your MySpace or Facebook pages.

Ms. Devlin Smith, board member, African Well Fund

Jason Macneil, The Edmonton Sun

From his work on The Joshua Tree to, more recently, that on How To Build An Atomic Bomb, Daniel Lanois and U2 have a strong and unique bond. Lanois says the relationship is almost other-worldly.

"I think we work well together because there's kind of a premonitional force in the room when I work with these guys," he says. "We sense that something might be right but we're not convinced yet and it's still the unknown. It's that unknown that keeps us going. We want to do something original. Bono wants to say something that has never been said before. We know we're going to have to roll up our sleeves, put our thinking caps on and do beautiful work."

Africa Celebrates U2

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(PR) On April 1, 2008, Shout! Factory will release In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2, an album celebrating the music, culture and future of Africa, and an unprecedented musical homage to Bono and U2 for their ongoing humanitarian relief efforts aiding the beloved continent. A portion of the record's proceeds will directly benefit The Global Fund. Interviews with select artists are available upon request.

Produced by Shawn Amos and Paul Heck, In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 features Grammy Award-winning/nominated African artists as well as top up-and-coming talents including Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Touré, Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir.

As Irish group Clannad prepare to return to the spotlight, Sally Williams speaks to guitarist and vocalist Noel Duggan about their unique sound and their certain friend by the name of Bono

by Sally Williams, Western Mail

It is more than 20 years since Ireland's spiritual group Clannad teamed up with their countryman Bono for the spine-tingling hit "In a Lifetime."

But, as the band prepare to visit Wales as part of their first U.K. tour for a decade, don't hold your breath for the U2 frontman to appear on stage with them.

Guitarist and vocalist Noel Duggan admits that Bono never performed the hit live and when Clannad sang it on Top of the Pops they did it without him.

Duggan says, "He (Bono) says he doesn't have the voice for it anymore. So we will have Bryan Kennedy (who has sung with Van Morrison) singing it in Belfast and there will be other guests on tour too.

Richard Carter, Wichita Times Record News

It cost an audience of about 30 people exactly $1.02 to see U2 play at a club in Dallas on April 2, 1982.

The show at Dallas's Bijou was promoted by former FM radio station Q102, and the Irish band was supporting its first album, "Boy." Nearly three decades later, $1.02 wouldn't buy a single bottle of water at a U2 show or even cover a small percentage of the ticket surcharge.

With ticket prices up and shows limited, someone had the idea to record a concert film of the band with multiple 3D cameras and release it in movie theaters. Nowadays, it's a heck of lot cheaper to see any band in a movie theater than to buy tickets, drive 150 miles and fight traffic and pay for parking.

Truth be told, I would have preferred to see U2 play live in 1982. It has less to do with ticket prices and more to do with seeing a more energetic, primal band performing songs from what early fans, like myself, still think is their best album.

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This page is an archive of entries from March 2008 listed from newest to oldest.

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