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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