New Album, Africa and Wide Awake #2

The Irish times released today (er..yesterday in European time zones..) that U2 "WILL" (stressing capital letters in the actual article) have a new album by early 2011. Perhaps they are stressing the capital letters because last time they said they would have a new album was 2008..and No Line on the Horizon didn't come until the follow year! So I expect probably around April or so we'll have a new album. My guess of course. I assume we can expect to see Mercy, Every Breaking Wave, North Star among others in the new album. Rumored to assume the long debated title of Songs of Ascent.

On the news of new albums, apparently there are rumors afloat of a new LP mocking their earlier LP's title name: Wide Awake in Europe. Wide Awake in America had two live songs, Bad and A Sort of Homecoming, and two B-Sides: The Three Sunrises and Love Comes Tumbling. Wishful fans such as myself will hope and pray for another live version of Bad--hopefully from Vertigo or 360 tours along with some original material, but @U2 is reporting that some unreleased B-sides from Unforgettable Fire are rumored to appear. We'll see I guess--it would make sense since after all it is "Wide Awake in..".

Also, U2 have announced dates in South Africa early in 2011 to continue their global 360 Tour. The final date in Pittsburgh, PA on July 26, 2011 marks the final date of the 360 tour (and i have a GA!).

:]

-A. Kennedy




Wide Awake Article
Irish Times Article

Song of the Week: Van Diemen's Land

I didn't know this until I did some research but Van Diemen's Land is actually what Europeans originally called Tasmania. It also happens to be our song of the week. Van Diemen's land is the second track on U2's 1988 continuation album Rattle and Hum, and is most famous for being U2's signature song whose vocals aren't from Bono, for once but rather Edge. Van Diemen's Land has only been played 39 times and the last time it was been played was at a tribute show to Ronnie Drew in 2008. The song was written by the Edge and performed solely by the Edge. To this day the song remains a fan favorite and people like me have high hopes for a 360 debut this coming year!

-A. Kennedy



Van Diemen's Land Wiki
Rattle and Hum wiki

New Songs and New Challenges

Where oh where to begin. Perhaps most U2 fans are currently buzzing about U2's latest new song debut tonight; titled "Boy Falls From the Sky", it is U2's recent new song for the upcoming and infamous Spider Man musical. A video from it's debut show in the second concert in Coimbra, Portugal can be seen below. It seems to be a very good song, though I look forward to a higher quality video to give it justice.

Also can be seen below is U2's performance of Magnificent. Notice how Bono is not vocalizing his signature phrases and motivational "oh oh oh!" he normally does. Around 1:40 into the video, Bono also stops singing. Many fans are posting like mad their theories and suggestions. Although from a few facebook posts, I have heard indirectly that Bono appeared to be in pain at tonight's showing. This has many fans, including myself, in an uproar concerning Bono's health. Many are concerned that he is over-doing his performance at shows and is on a road for more physical harm if he continues. I guess right now we just need to have some faith that the band and Bono alike will continue in good health. It is hard to identify what is going on in the (seemingly) only video online so far of Magnificent from U2's second Coimbra show. Naturally, the camera crew will cut to shots of Adam and Edge to keep the majority of the crowd from knowing what's going on--and unfortunately the video was shot from a great distance.

If there is one interesting thing that has come from this, it is probably hearing Magnificent without Bono's lyrical additions in the beginning. It doesn't sound normal!

In other past news, U2 debuted Spanish Eyes for only the 16 time ever, and the first time since Barcelona's Elevation concert back in August 8, 2001. Spanish Eyes was released as a B-Side for I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For back in May of 1987, and is a fan favorite and ideal for Spanish concerts in this case. A video can also be seen below.

Let's pray good health and luck for Bono!

-A. Kennedy







Spanish Eyes Stats