In case you couldn’t tell by now, U2 is back and officially rockin’, and will continue to do so for the better part of the next two years. In support of its recently released studio album, No Line On The Horizon, the Irish outfit have announced dates for the first portion of its planned two-year “U2360” global tour.
Described by the band as “groundbreaking,” the Live Nation produced “U2360” derives its name from the tour’s planned production configuration, which according to Billboard.com will include “360-degree audience configuration, ambitious staging and a cylindrical video screen.” Beginning now, you can get a taste of what’s to come with a virtual tour of the setup via U2.com.
The fun is expected to span two years, with the first batch of dates kicking off in Eur
ope beginning this July. The band will then head to U.S. in September and October. The following summer will also feature dates in both continents: from June to July in the U.S. and August to September in Europe. A South American leg is also planned. As of now, U2 has officially announced 18 dates, 14 of which being in the U.K. Of course, with as many as Millennium Stadium planned for the next two years, we still have a long ways to go, or should I say, there is no end on the horizon…
As previously reported, U2 has made a considerable effort to keep ticket prices at a relatively low cost; the 360 configuration will increase the capacity by about 15%-20%, which will enable the band to sell tickets at various price tiers, ranging from $30 to $250. Tickets for European dates will go on sale beginning in mid-March, with U.S. ones available a couple of weeks later.
“U2360” will mark U2’s first tour under the band’s new 12-year multi-rights deal with Live Nation. It will also mark the band’s first extensive live endeavor since the 2005-2007 “Vertigo” tour, which grossed some $389 million.
Note: In September and October, U2 360° Tour will also visit: Atlanta, GA; Charlottesville, VA; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Norman, OK; Phoenix, AZ; Tampa, FL; Washington, DC and Vancouver, BC.
U2 2009 Tour Dates:
06/30 – Barcelona, ES @ Camp Nou
07/07 – Milant, IT @ San Siro
07/11 – Paris, FR @ Stade De France
07/15 – Nice, FR @ Parc des Sports Charles Ehrmann
07/18 – Berlin, DE @ Olympic Stadium
07/20 – Amsterdam, NL @ Arena
07/24 – Dubline, IE @ Croke Park
07/31 – Gothenburg, SE @ Ullevi Stadium
08/06 – Chorzow, PL @ Slaski Stadium
08/10 – Zagreb, HR @ Stadium Makimir
08/14 – London, UK @ Wembley Stadium
08/18 – Glasgow, UK @ Hampden Park
08/20 – Sheffield, UK @ Don Valley Stadium
08/22 – Cardiff, UK @ Millenium Stadium
09/12 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
09/16 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre
09/20 – Boston, MA @ Gilette Stadium
09/24 – New York, NY @ Giants Stadium
