Rock Encyclopedia

The U2 360 tour made a triumphant return to North America with a sold out show at Invesco Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

This U2 360 show first toured USA in fall 2009, playing 17 dates across the country culminating in the record breaking sold-out show at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and streamed live worldwide via YouTube.

The North American tour was postponed last May after singer Bono injured his back, but the dates were quickly reinstated. Bono thanked the Denver audience for their patience, “Through the wonders of science I’m not just fixed, I’m better! Bono 2.0…”

“It took a little longer to get here than we originally planned, but it’s great to be back in North America. The band would like to thank all the fans who stood by them – it wasn’t taken for granted,’ said U2 manager Mr McGuinness.

In front of a 77,000 strong audience, tonight’s concert featured a video message from Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (recently released from house arrest in Rangoon) speaking directly to U2 fans who lobbied for her freedom throughout both the U2 360 and Vertigo tours.

Speaking before U2′s song “One,” Aung San Suu Kyi said, “You who, across such distances sent such support to Burma… we thank you, students, teachers, workers, mothers fathers, sisters, brothers, music fans – U2 fans like me. When you raise your voices we hear them in our country and around the world, they are louder than any rock band, than any army, than rocket fire or fighter jet…”

So far U2 360 has played to 5 million people across Europe, Russia, North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand. By the tour end on July 30, more than 7 million people will have seen this revolutionary production with 110 shows in 30 countries across five continents.

The tour, which started in Barcelona on June 30th, 2009 will visit an additional 18 cities across North America before finishing on July 30th in Moncton.

Live Nation Entertainment today announced U2 360 is the most successful tour of all time.  Following last night’s sold-out show at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil U2 360 will break the previous record held by the Rolling Stones, Bigger Bang Tour which grossed $554 million from 2005 – 07.  With 26 shows left before the tour finishes in Canada on July 30, U2 360 will also set a new record as the top grossing tour of all time, with final ticket sales due to surpass $700 million.

Arthur Fogel, U2′s Tour Promoter and Producer said, “These numbers are staggering, a fantastic result. U2 have invented a new style of rock show and they continue to deliver their fans the best possible live experience. An in-the-round transportable stadium production is something that the touring industry has been trying to figure out for some time. The extra capacity that the U2 360 creates also allows for a large number, several thousand in fact, of low priced tickets at every show”.

So far U2 360 has played to 5 million people across Europe, Russia, North America, South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. By the tour end on July 30, more than 7 million people will have seen this revolutionary production with 110 shows in 30 countries across five continents.

U2′s Manager, Paul McGuinness said, “That dollar figure for the gross looks enormous! Of course I can’t tell you what the net is, but I can tell you that the band spend enormous sums on production for their audience. Fans all over the world agree that a ticket to U2 360 is good value for money. We’re really proud of this tour and this achievement is great news, coming as we head back into North America.”

U2 360 degree tour dates in the US, which were recently postponed due to Bono’s emergency back surgery, have all been rescheduled for Spring/Summer 2011 with all tickets being valid at the rescheduled performances.

The 2010 European tour, which has not been affected, begins as scheduled on August 6th in Turin.

U2′s manager Paul McGuinness thanked fans for their ongoing support, “We’re delighted the dates are rescheduled and in all the same venues we originally planned to play. It hasn’t been easy to accomplish this and I’d like to thank the managers of the many venues and sports teams across North America and Live Nation Global Touring for their help and cooperation in making this complex new plan possible. Above all we want to thank the U2 fans for bearing with us. They’re the best and the band wants to get back to where they belong, surrounded by their audience.”

The U2 360 degree Tour is produced by Live Nation Global Touring and sponsored in 2010 by BlackBerry. (more…)