A Hopeful Future; A Summer of Goodbyes

U2's 360 tour - the highest grossing tour of all time - has officially ended. The band played to more than 3 million fans from over 3 dozen cities worldwide; from Vancouver to Moscow, and Dublin to Sydney. Despite the millions it took to create the 360 Claws, as well as the $750,000 daily budget to facilitate, maintain, haul, construct and deconstruct the claw (as well as 360 crew payroll :), the band still made out with over $700 million and a new world record.

U2 and fans alike said their goodbyes at the final 360 show in Moncton, and as to be expected, the tour closed with 40. As of today (August 13, 2011), Ireland's Herald reports that Adam Clayton and others had to also say a difficult goodbye to the late Jo Clayton - Adam's mother.

Now that the 360 Tour is over, many fans brace themselves for the seemingly long period of time in between U2's next album release and inevitable tour. Some however, are looking a bit further than that: just how many more albums/tours will (should?) U2 do? On Monday March 31, 2008, U2 signed a hefty 12 year contract with live nation - which is an on-paper agreement to make new albums and tours. Given the contract, I for see no more than 2 albums tours under such conditions - but int he 21st century, laws, contracts and agreements aren't known to be as formidable as perhaps they once were.

So what's next?

"I don't wanna predict the future...but I don't think you can get any bigger than this. It's far to expensive (chuckle). I don't think you can GET any bigger than this; I think if anything we'll scale down." Larry Mullen Jr. said this when they kicked off the good ol' ZOO TV Tour back in 1992. If there is one thing I've learned over the years, it is that you never know what the future holds. As Bono once said a long time ago: "A lotta people expect a lot from U2, and people will never get what they expect. We're just U2 and we speak - you know - just as we are." Will U2 top their 360 Tour? Not likely, but given the past you never know, despite how vague it may seem. Given the rumors and granted the safe keeping and health to our Irish band members, I have an optimistic future for U2 and fans alike - and so should you! I'll have more on tour predictions for you guys soon...



Live Nation Agreement
360 Stats
Herald Article

U2 News & Summer

Finally! Spring term is over for me here in Eugene at the University of Oregon. Now I can kick back for a few days before leaving for LA for the 2 U2 shows in Anaheim! I'm don't know whether I'm more excited for the shows in LA or the fact that my Accounting 213 class is over... Either way, life is good. I'm pretty sure only like three people will read this but that's fine with me - and you can expect more to come from me this summer since I will be school (but not work) free for the whole summer!

A few days ago, I had the unforgettable experience of attending U2's Seattle concert on June 4, 2011. This show goes into the history books for me - its the best one I've seen yet (which in itself isn't saying much, but whatever). The setlist was identical to the last few shows, but even though I followed each show online, hearing songs like Zooropa and All I Want is You still felt like an amazing surprise. I hope the LA shows will have some set list shake-ups, but I really can't complain with what they're been playing right now. I'm just happy they're all in good health, touring and having fun!

Feel free to check out my Facebook page for photos and videos, and be sure to check out The Joshua Tree's new YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/JoshuaTreeBlog?feature=mhee. More is to come for the LA shows as well so stay posted.

I heard this morning via Facebook posts that many U2 fans could not attend the Oakland show last night due to heavy traffic - some are even proposing legal action against the stadium and/or U2, which is fundamentally ignorant and selfish. As mention by some on facebook, a well rounded U2 fan knows to get to the stadium WELL in advance of the show itself. It's like I always say: hope for the best, plan for the worst. See article: http://www.ktvu.com/news/28175971/detail.html

In other news, in an article in the Rolling Stone, U2 stated that the next album would not likely be released until mid 2012 (most likely the end of 2012 if you ask me). This really is not a big shocker for me, and many fans are upset over this. I honestly could care less - for a few reasons. First, I'm only 21 and I've missed some amazing U2 tours in my life. Second, I would prefer quality material over a rushed album put together last minute (although given these circumstances, Pop remains one of my favorite albums). Finally, I just want U2 to be themselves and do their thing at their own pace. Only good things can come of this.

Thanks all for now, stay posted and I'll be back soon with more U2 "stuff!"

-A. Kennedy

Here's a video I filmed in Seattle, hope you like it :]

The Joshua Tree gets a new "face"

Hope you enjoy! Hope you guys are ready for a (college-free) summer of updates and news!

Brace yourselves, here comes the final Leg of 360! (Finally)

For many fans (including yours truly), the [final?] leg of U2's 360 Tour is right on our doorstep - and we couldn't be more happy about it! The U2 360 Tour has been a great tour so far, many great additions to the setlists with new songs such as North Star and Every Breaking Wave; also the incorporation of some old fan favorites such as The Unforgettable Fire and Ultraviolet.

In a post way back in July of 2010, I made some 'scientific' analysis of U2 setlist changes, and even made some bold predictions for Europe's leg and the final leg of 360 in North America. I predicted that Even Better Than the Real Thing and Drowning Man were strong candidates to make an appearance on the final leg; I'm hearing strong rumors that EBTTRT is very likely to be played.

Despite all of this 'analysis,' we can almost guarantee the performance of some new songs, even if it is merely North Star (it's still new). I'm personally hopeful for a new opening and closer - however, like many fans: I'm just a dreamer!

As of today, I read an article stating that the label Mercury would no longer issue CD/Vinyl releases of singles for future album releases from the artists that are signed to them--that would unfortunately include U2. As this is fresh news, I'm sure the few fans that have reacted to this can more or less speak for the crowd of die-hard U2 fans; many fans collect these singles.

Let's be honest here - nothing breaks the ice better when having guests over to your home quite like busting out your U2 single collection and showing it off (although they may not return after that if they are not U2 fans).

I look forward to seeing many of you this summer to experience whatever surprise U2 has in store for their postponed North American dates (postponed dates of the Vertigo Tour did pretty well with some great gems added to their setlists)!

- A. Kennedy

The Joshua Tree

Today is a momentous day for all U2 fans alike. On this day (March 9) in 1987, U2 released the album that would forever change the course of their existence as a band. It also hailed a great addition to their number of fans - especially in America, since that was the album's main theme. Some would argue this was their main transition from a band into rock and roll superstars.

The album itself sold over 25 million copies, and is one of the greatest selling albums of all time. It won two Grammy awards for 'Best Rock Performance by a Group or Duo With Vocal' and 'Album of the Year'.

With or without You was the first of the singles released from the album, and are arguably the most famous in their entire career. Interestingly enough, Red Hill Mining Town was originally planned as the second single, but the band was not satisfied with the video they had filmed for it (it might also be noted that Red Hill Mining Town has never been played live). Instead, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For was released in the place of Red Hill Mining Town.

Their third single is one U2's most distinct and famous songs from their discography: Where the Streets Have No Name. Consequently the fourth single varied from location: In God's Country was released as their fourth single in North America, and One Tree Hill was released for Australia and New Zealand.

The album has been an inspiration for many fans, including myself. There are only a handful of things more emotional than hearing With or Without You live, or more adrenalin-inducing than Streets. I hear at least one song from that album every day, and it was the very first album I have ever heard all the way through (I was about 3 or 4 at that time).

Hope you all find what your looking for. Happy JT anniversary!

-A. Kennedy



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