NOVEMBER 29: A hundred calls requesting U2 / U2 recording in Sun Studios / "Beautiful Day" / Edge and Bono perform in South Africa-46664 / 100TH SHOW - 'VERTIGO' TOUR: Arcade Fire joins U2 to 'Love Will Tears Apart'-'Miracle Drug' is back / Arcade Fire donate song to Bono / 128th VERTIGO show: U2 premiere Window In The Skies!

"Boy" tour - november 29, 1980 - U2 perform in Stoke, England at Keele University

"October" tour - november 29, 1981- U2 perform in San Francisco, California at the Warfield Theater. During the show, Bono jokingly asks the crowd to request U2 on radio stations next day. The next day, several stations report a hundred calls requesting U2. Support is Garland Jeffreys.

"War" tour november 29, 1983 Tokyo Japan Sun Plaza Hall.

Recording in Sun Studios - november 29 /December 2, 1987 - U2 record in Sun Studios, Memphis, Tennessee. "Cowboy" Jack Clement sits at the mixing desk, and "The Memphis Horns" sit in on the recording session. U2 record several songs, including "Angel of Harlem", a song about legendary African-American blues artist Billie Holiday, and "She's a Mystery To Me", the song they wrote for the late Roy Orbison--the song remains unreleased.
Angel Of Harlem:


"LoveTown" tour - november 29, 1989 - Osaka Japan Castle Hall. The second night features a rowdy audience, and the show is somewhat better.

"U2´s Beautiful Day" - CBS television - november 29, 2002 - U2 puts up low numbers for CBS. CBS television airs the 1-hour concert special U2's Beautiful Day in its 10 pm time slot tonight, the day after Thanksgiving. The show manages just a 1.5 rating and a 5 share. It's by far the lowest-rated concert special of the week on any network, and is beaten by specials from Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Paul McCartney, and an Elvis retrospective earlier in the week.

"46664" concert - november 29, 2003 - Cape Town, South Africa - Greenpoint Stadium. American Prayer / 46664 / One - Unchained Melody / Amandla. Bono and the Edge perform at the 46664 concert in South Africa. They appear early in the show to perform American Prayer with Beyonce and David Stewart, and 46664 with David Stewart and others. They return to the stage late in the show to perform One which finishes with Unchained Melody. Anastasia, Queen, David Stewart, and Beyonce then join them (during the song Edge leaves the stage, and only Bono finishes the song with the other) on stage for Amandla.
American Prayer:

Long Walk To Freedom:

One & Unchained Melody:

Amandla:


100TH SHOW - 'VERTIGO' TOUR - MONTREAL - NOVEMBER 29, 2005: Arcade Fire joins U2 to 'Love Will Tears Apart' / 'Miracle Drug' is back! November 28, 2005 / Montreal, Canada - Bell Centre - The Arcade Fire. City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, The Electric Co., I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day - Blackbird, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Get Up Stand Up, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): Until the End of the World, Mysterious Ways, With or Without You, Love Will Tear Us Apart, All Because of You, Yahweh, 40. Another high-volume, high-energy crowd -- typical for Montreal -- is out in force tonight. Miracle Drug is back in the set for the first time since Miami on November 13. Arcade Fire joins U2 on stage at the end of With or Without You to do a cover of Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart.'
**** Love Tears Montreal Apart - Second night in Montreal and Arcade Fire are back on stage at the end of U2's set for an amazing joint performance of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart. Miracle Drug is back too....
**** The unmistakable guitar of the Edge! U2 II - Devotees can't get enough - Bell Centre. Bono in fine form for second of two sold-out shows. In the hoopla and controversy surrounding the politics of Bono, it's all too easy to forget that U2 is a band - and perhaps the most interesting thing about the group's second of two sold-out shows at the Bell Centre last night is that they managed to set the record straight on that count. A church-arena full of believers were suitably primed by a stellar 50-minute opening set by the Arcade Fire, local heroes touring on a debut album that has captured the hearts of many (In fact, it's hard not to feel sorry for them as they face the pressure of following it up.) Many great bands have been lost in the cavernous Bell Centre as they tried to survive the thankless opening slot, but the Arcade Fire differ from their peers in their ability to take on an arena with ease and comfort, belting their haunting hooks and throwing in the kind of visual abandon that reaches the back rows. This is a band with the courage to prowl U2's circular ramp jutting out from the stage - and a band with the guts to follow that with a trip into the audience, like psychedelic Pied Pipers leading the fans, a cappella, into the catchy falsetto phrase that helped define the set closer Rebellion (Lies). But as the lights went out at 9 p.m. and the unmistakable guitar of the Edge competed with more than 20,000 screaming fans, it was clear who was in charge - and exactly what big rock concerts are all about. As columns of lights danced out a pattern and confetti rained down, Bono sang "The more you see, the less you know ....", the opening line of City of Blinding Lights. It was during that opening number that the fans were reminded about U2's tightness. As Bono leaned back for a breather, the Edge stepped in with his trademark majestic staccato phrasing while the rhythm section of drummer Larry Mullen Jr. and bassist Adam Clayton provided the rock-solid foundation that even devotees have come to take for granted. And while this might be arena rock, the raw attack of Vertigo and Elevation - both underpinned by Mullen's fistful-of-thump backbeat and beefed up by the Edge's Louie, Louie overdrive chords - followed in quick succession, demonstrating that if you look hard enough, there's a garage band up there competing with the beered-up, out-of-tune singing on the floor. While the Edge is best known for a style that is more defined by ambient sheets of sound than notes-per-bar, when he actually takes a solo - always economically - he come close to stealing the show. During The Electric Co., he prowled the right half of the circular ramp that extended from the stage proper and broke from the song's hyperactive riff and seemed to pay twangy tribute to the Shadows guitarist Hank B. Marvin for a few seconds. He pierced the night with sustained notes in Love and Peace Or Else and wailed a flashy blues solo on Bullet the Blue Sky. Bono, too, was in fine form last night, playfully quoting Send in the Clowns and See Me, Feel Me during The Electric Co., throwing in a line from The Promised Land at the end of I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, breaking into Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band during Beautiful Day and making Bob Marley's Get Up, Stand Up a key reference point in Sunday Bloody Sunday. It's often hard to divorce U2's songs from their larger-than-life incarnations as big, singalong anthems, but last night's concert was a testament to the showmanship and musicality that drives the biggest performing band in rock today.
**** U2 return Montreal's love - U2 fans take note! If you want to experience a spectacular U2 concert, be a spectacular audience. Last night (Nov. 28), U2 rewarded the Montreal audience for its enthusiasm (wow, those people are loud!) and embrace of the band with a special concert. Following 'With or Without You,' U2 invited opening band Arcade Fire to join them on stage to perform Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart.' Songs that have been retired for a little while returned ('All Because of You,' 'Miracle Drug'). Larry Mullen addressed the audience when a 'technical error' occurred at the beginning of 'All Because of You,' causing Bono to comment that he couldn't remember Larry ever doing that before. Near the end of the concert, Bono provided a sincere declaration of the band's love for the city, which was received with much enthusiasm.
**** Arcade Fire Return Compliment To U2 - Arcade Fire have used U2's classic track as the opening intro music at a show in Montreal, Canada over the weekend. The much-lauded band were returning the favour to the Irish supergroup who have used Arcade Fire's 'Wake Up' as the opening chimes on their vast 'Vertigo' tour. Just like David Bowie, Bono and co. are massive fans of Arcade Fire and have listed their album 'Funeral' as one of their favourites of the year.
**** Miracle Drug is back. The second show in Montreal and last for the month of November contained some surprises. After opening for U2, The Arcade Fire came back out on stage during the first encore and joined U2 for a full performance of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart. This song was regularly snippeted on the Joshua Tree and Lovetown Tours in With Or Without You but has been less frequent since then, and has never been performed in full by U2 before. In addition to this, Miracle Drug was played for the first time in a fortnight, reclaiming its setlist position from Original Of The Species, and All Because Of You returned after missing five shows. November is only the second month of the whole tour during which U2 has NOT played Vertigo twice in one show (the other month was March, which had only two concerts). U2 first played Vertigo twice in a show in Seattle in late April and it has been done at least once a month since then.
**** Snippets: Beautiful Day / Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet) / Blackbird (snippet) - Sunday Bloody Sunday / Get Up Stand Up (snippet) - Bullet The Blue Sky / The Hands That Built America (snippet) / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
**** Photos - some photos on: U2tours
U2 & Arcade Fire:


Arcade Fire donate song to Bono - November 29, 2006 - Crusading singer BONO has convinced folk/rock band ARCADE FIRE to donate one of their songs to his AIDS charity campaign. The Canadian rockers were so impressed with the charity - Project Red - headed by the U2 star, that they signed away their song LIES to promote the worthy cause. Frontman WIN BUTLER says, "Having talked to all the people in charge of running the Red campaign and learning about how the whole thing works financially, I am convinced that something of this nature is the only way to get Americans to give large amounts of money to directly fight AIDS in Africa in a sustainable way

128th VERTIGO show - Saitama - Japan - November 29, 2006: Saitama Super Arena - City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo-She Loves You (snippet) / Elevation / I Will Follow / I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For-In A Little While (snippet) / Beautiful Day-Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet)-Blackbird (snippet) / Window In The Skies / Walk On / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / Bad-40 (snippet) / Sunday Bloody Sunday-Rock The Casbah (snippet) / Bullet The Blue Sky-When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)-The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One / Encore(s): The Fly / Mysterious Ways / With Or Without You / The Saints Are Coming / Angel Of Harlem / One Tree Hill
**** Turning Japanese (Edge complimented the cuisine) - Eight years after they were last in the country, the band have arrived at Saitama Stadium in Tokyo, ahead of the first of three shows. As the band arrived at the venue they chatted to fans and media about being back in the country and the upcoming shows. Asked what changes he'd seen during his stay in the country so far, Bono joked that being a rock star you can often only judge the changes through the quality of the room service. But he added that he sensed a new wave of consciousness in the country. Adam said he was particularly looking forward to the reaction of the Japanese audience because, uniquely on the Vertigo tour, they would be performing the stadium show... at an indoor arena. Edge complimented the cuisine, especially the Ramen, and there was great excitement when Larry showed up - fans climbing the barricades to get him to sign photos and other memorabilia. Hopefully, he said, the wait won't be so long before the band return to Japan.
**** Windows in Tokyo - Window in the Skies, the all-new song from 'U218 Singles', got its live debut here in Japan tonight. "Okay, we've got something a bit special here,' said Bono, after Beautiful Day. 'For the first time in this world, on this planet, we'd like to play you a new song...' 'If we screw up,' he added. 'Blame Edge!' The band are playing their first show in Japan for eight years tonight at the Saitama Stadium in Tokyo. MOre news as soon as the show is over.
**** Another Beautiful Night - Bono arrived on stage holding high a Japanese flag for tonight's opening show in Tokyo. From Blinding Lights to One Tree Hill, it was worth the wait for U2 to return to Japan.
**** Tokyo belongs to me - ''Vertigo' began not in Spanish but in Japanese tonight. But on an evening when Bono routinely slipped between English and Japanese, the enthusiasm of this Tokyo audience would have been clear in any country on the planet. Maybe the massive response was something to do with the unusual set-up: it's winter here, but although the band can't play outdoors, it's the stadium stage they have with them... quite an imposing presence in a covered arena with 25,000 fans. From the moment U2 took the stage, Bono carrying aloft the Japanese flag, the place was a ferment of screaming, dancing, and word perfect singing. It was a fitting tribute when Walk On was dedicated to 'our oldest fan club who are here in Japan' and a nice touch that Window in the Skies, the next single, received its global live debut. The set-up meant the show felt completely different to the North American indoor shows of last year, with Bono and Edge often out on stage right, and Adam rocking most of the evening on stage left. The stage stretched so deep into the venue, it made for an incredibly intimate night and every seat in the house seemed to be the best. Bono thanked Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (who he had met earlier in the day) for 'listening to us' and as the opening bars of Angel of Harlem broke out, introduced 'Larry Mullen Jnr' and 'Adam Clayton'. 'Tonight it's Tokyo belongs to me.' And if we thought that One Tree Hill had been reserved for the Kiwi audience, we were happily mistaken, here it was again, closing out a wonderful opening night. 'God bless you and keep you,' said Bono. 'Sayornara Tokyo.'

The cars in Saitama * The Arena in Saitama * The signs in Saitama * Bono and Japan's flag * Bono and Japan's flag
Window In The Skies, live premiere:

U2 rocking Japan:

NOVEMBER 28: I Threw A Brick / Graceland and Sun Studios for R&H-They rehearsed Red Hill Minig Town, but not performed / get on stage / Sunday Bloody Sunday in Houston / two fans: one on guitar, one on piano / Exclusive hand-painted guitar-VH1, MTV and Ticketmaster-Edge on Music Rising-The Edge Launches Hurricane Relief / U2's Bono urges Japan to boost Africa aid.

"Boy" tour - november 28, 1980 - U2 perform in Birmingham, England at Aston University.

"October tour - november 28, 1981 - U2 perform in Los Angeles, California at the Hollywood Palladium. A Day Without Me is included for the first time since New Haven on may 27, and proves to be a suitable song to follow I Threw A Brick; eventually these songs will segue into one another every time they are played. Support is "Romeo Void".

"War" tour - november 28, 1983 - Tokyo/ Japan - Sun Plaza Hall.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 28, 1987 - U2 perform in Murfreeboro, Tennessee at the Charles M. Murphy Athletic Center. The show is U2's first Tenessee show since U2 supported the "J. Geils Band". U2 take the time to visit Elvis Presley's "Graceland" estate and film their visit for "Rattle & Hum", as record tracks at the legendary Sun Studios all of which is filmed for inclusion on "Rattle & Hum". U2 perform almost a full concert at the soundcheck, and extensively run through "Red Hill Mining Town". Larry has trouble remembering the drum track and has to listen to the song several times in order to play it. "She's a Mystery to Me" is also played at the soundcheck, but neither song makes it into the performance. Recalling their visit to "Graceland", Bono sings "Can't Help Falling In Love". During "People Get Ready", Bono introduces Wynonna Judd of "The Judds"--she needs help during the song as she doesn't know the lyrics. Support is "The BoDeans".


"LoveTown" tour - november 28, 1989 - U2 perform in Osaka, Japan at the Castle Hall. The first night's performance feat ures "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", which gets a huge cheer of recognition from the audience. Bono asks someone up on stage for "People Get Ready", and gets angry at security as they rough up the fans who are trying to get on stage. "Don't touch our f---ng audience!" Bono shouts into his microphone.

"ZOOTV" television program - november 28, 1992 - U2's "Zoo TV" television program airs in 32 countries around the world.

"POPMart" tour - november 28, 1997 - U2 perform in Houston, Texas houston Astrodome. The Edge and Bono performed an acoustic duet on Desire, and The Edge delivered a solo rendition of Sunday Bloody Sunday, an early anti-violence anthem he said the band "rediscovered" earlier this year at an inspiring Bosnia concert in Sarajevo.

"Elevation" tour - november 28, 2001 - St. Louis, MO Savvis Center. Two fans are brought on stage to play 'Knocking On Heaven's Door' - one on guitar and one on piano. Edge wears black Born Free shirt.

Exclusive hand-painted guitar / VH1, MTV and Ticketmaster * Edge on Music Rising! The Edge Launches Hurricane Relief - November 28, 2005 - U2 guitarist the Edge has launched a campaign named Music Rising aimed at helping musicians affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, an undertaking inspired by his trip to a devastated New Orleans. The project aims to raise funds that will replace instruments and equipment that was lost or damaged in the storms. In one of the first orders of business, Gibson Guitar and Guitar Center are attaching themselves to the endeavor by creating an exclusive hand-painted guitar which will see its proceeds directed to the Music Rising fund. Other corporations such as VH1, MTV, and Ticketmaster are also co-signing the campaign. The MusiCares Foundation, a charity set-up by the Recording Academy, will help oversee Music Rising, and potential supporters will be able to make donations online and via mail. cmj


U2's Bono urges Japan to boost Africa aid - November 28, 2006 - Rock star and anti-poverty activist Bono urged Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday to keep his nation's pledge to boost aid to Africa and other parts of the developing world. "Some countries make promises and they don't keep them. Japan, we trust to fulfill their promise," Bono, in Japan on his band U2's Vertigo 2006 tour, told reporters after meeting with Abe. The rock star said he won a pledge from Abe to continue Japan's efforts to help the developing world, despite budgetary constraints in Tokyo. In return, Bono presented the Japanese politician with a pair of his trademark Giorgio Armani sunglasses, which are sold to raise funds for his anti-AIDS campaign. Abe tried them on and Bono declared his look as "very cool." "I've always seen George Bush looking at my sunglasses like this but George Bush never put them on," Bono said. "The last pope, John Paul, he put them on and Prime Minister Abe. Very cool!" Japan vowed before and during the 2005 G-8 summit in Scotland to spend billions of dollars more in aid on Africa and on development assistance overall, contributing to a doubling of wealthy nations' aid to Africa to $50 billion by 2010. Bono praised Japanese government aid for lifting many Asian countries from poverty and said "there is a lot we can learn from Japan in applying to the rest of the developing world." washingtonpost

NOVEMBER 25

NOVEMBER 24: "When Love Comes To Town" (rehearsal and performance) was recorded / Free Your Mind / "In America" the movie / Original Of The Species video premieres / U2 cancels shoot / Edge and Bono starring Dave Stewart's HBO series 'Off The Record' / 126th VERTIGO show: Auckland-New Zealand-Bono surprised fans by wearing a jacket displaying the Warriors logo when he emerged on stage with U2 on Friday evening-One Tree Hill, up next, was dedicated to U2's former New Zealand roadie the late Greg Carroll

"Boy" tour - november 24, 1980 - U2 perform in Coventry, England at the Polytechnic School.

"October tour - november 24, 1981 - U2 perform in Passaic, New Jersey at the Hitsville North Nightclub.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 24, 1987 - B.B. King supports U2 at a gig in the Tarrant County Convention Centre in Forth Worth, Texas. The second night also features an incredible performance of "Bullet The Blue Sky", and tonight, Bono launches into a commentary about television evangelists: "I see Jerry Falwell and I know he's looking just at me. I said Jerry, 'What do you want from me, Jerry--my MONEY?' Oral Robers, 'What do you want from me, my MONEY?' And I see this hand coming out of the TV screen into the houses of the sick and the old, opening their bags, emptying their life savings. And I see those dollar notes disappearing back into the TV screen so it can build some glass cathedral. FUCK THAT! We don't need a glass cathedral from you! You're already a see-through soul!" For the second encore, B.B. King and his band are introduced. "I wrote this song for him," Bono confesses and introduces "When Love Comes To Town". The footage of the rehearsals and performance this evening end up in the "Rattle And Hum" rockumentary.


ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour - november 24, 1992 - perform in Mexico City, Mexico at the Palacio De Los Deportes. ZooTV makes one last North American appearance with arena size shows.

Bono accepts award for Amnesty International - november 24, 1994 - Bono accepts the "Free Your Mind" award on behalf of Amnesty International at the MTV European Music Awards in Germany. Bono tells the crowd, "Free your mind and your ass will follow."


Bono sees "In America" - november 24, 2003 - Bono attends the premiere of Jim Sheridan's new film, In America, in New York city. Bono co-wrote the theme song for the film, "Time Enough for Tears."

Original Of The Species video premieres - November 24, 2005 - World Premiere, directed by Catherine Owens, for Original of the Species. The video, a dazzling work of futuristic animation, is one of the most unusual the band have ever made. It will make its TV debut on VH1 today (Thursday), airing on the hour every hour.. The video was conceived and directed by Catherine Owens, a long time friend and collaborator of U2 who is responsible for many of the striking visual concepts in the band's live show. The idea grew out of a piece that she was working on to accompany the song during the Vertigo Tour. The band had their heads 'scanned' in Chicago in September (this will make sense when you've watched it!) and digital effects were developed in New York and LA. The live performance element was filmed backstage at Madison Square Garden in early October and this version of the song, currently at radio in the US, is the one that the band recorded in Holland over the summer with Garrett Lee. Watch on U2.com

U2 cancels shoot - November 24, 2005 - Irish pop group U2, which was to have shot a new video in Montreal during its visit, cancelled the shoot. No reason was given. The video was to have been shot at Mel's Studio on Sunday, but the name of the song was not revealed. Lead singer Bono arrived Tuesday, and met with businessmen Daniel Langlois and Guy Laliberte. The group's Vertigo tour ends in Ottawa next Friday. The Montreal concerts at the Bell Centre tomorrow and Monday are sold out.

Edge and Bono starring Dave Stewart's HBO series 'Off The Record' - November 24, 2006 - The new HBO series features leading musicians 'telling their stories in intimate conversations' with Stewart, one-time Eurythmic and now acclaimed producer. The series doesn't kick off proper till the new year but Friday's one-off preview is a U2 special. 'Each edition (it says here) of the new series will be shot before an audience of fellow musicians and fans, and spotlight performers from the worlds of rap, rock, soul, folk, punk, country and blues. Artists will be able to tell their stories in an uncensored environment, citing the songs and performers who influenced them on their journey, as well as breaking down their own songs, while drawing on music videos, concert footage and even home movies.' The production credits underline the musical credentials - not only is it hosted by Stewart but executive producer is Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records.
Dave Stewart, who has heard every question a musician could get and uses that experience to get U2's famous duo talking about the studio, the songs, the road and the road to stardom. Stewart's biz cred and a casual, intimate setting help distinguish "Off the Record" from the legions of similar programs. He asks solid if sometimes rambling questions, though his first is hardly his best. After recounting some of U2's myriad accomplishments, Stewart asks, "How the hell do you do it?" But the host's decades-long acquaintance with his subjects, along with the show's eschewing of tight structure, help the hour play more like a friendly chat than just another interview. The Edge comes off as a humble bloke-next-door type, while Bono mostly reins in his usual rock-star persona, save for the gaudy glasses. The revered singer does, however, offer typically indirect and meandering answers that often are as open to interpretation as his lyrics. The most enjoyable part of the show is when Stewart plays a sort of a musical Rorschach test using album covers. Out of his briefcase come records ranging from the Clash and Television to the Beatles and Frank Sinatra. Bono and the Edge eagerly discuss the effects each had on them and their band. After debuting with one of rock's biggest acts, it will be interesting to see how "Off the Record" plays in future installments.

Bono says something modest about his talents, the Edge disagrees with him and praises him, the audience applauds. Then the Edge puts himself down, Bono builds him up, the audience applauds (Off the Record) - HBO's "Off the Record" is a new late-night interview show that gives musical artists more than 4 minutes to talk. It's hosted by Eurythmics alum Dave Stewart, who is not bent on spit-balling one-liners to keep his audience perky and awake. And the artists -- beginning, tonight at 11, with Bono and the Edge from U2 -- are allowed to speak in their native tongue, that being Expletivish. When Bono utters the same curse that he used on the 2003 Golden Globes, and that invoked the ire of the FCC, no one blinks. So it's hard to quibble with this latest addition to America's nonstop talk-a-thon, which moves from "Today" through "Ellen" and "Oprah" to "Entertainment Tonight" and "Nightline" and "The Tonight Show." "On the Record" allows Bono and the Edge to ramble on about their group creative process, their history as lads in Ireland, and their influences (Patti Smith, the Clash, and the Ramones, who Bono labels "the reason we exist"). And they are not interrupted by commercial breaks, which is always a plus. But praising a show for what it doesn't do doesn't mean it's good. The first episode of "On the Record"-- it's actually a preview, since the series doesn't begin in earnest until next year -- comes too close to looking like a mutual admiration society. The conversational pattern goes like this: Bono says something modest about his talents, the Edge disagrees with him and praises him, the audience applauds. Then the Edge puts himself down, Bono builds him up, the audience applauds. It all starts to seem like a hokey way to buff each other's egos, with Stewart on hand to keep the gushing going. Clearly, Stewart is not aiming to be the next Dick Cavett or Charlie Rose. He's not interested in the cultural significance of U2 and political rock 'n' roll so much as in running back over the more inspiring moments of the band's career, including recording "Achtung Baby" in Germany, singing "One" as a song about the band itself, and how Bono's experiences in El Salvador led to "Bullet the Blue Sky." Stewart positions himself as a rock version of James Lipton of "Inside the Actors Studio," running over stories already familiar to fans while hoping for some fresh repartee along the way. When Bono says about the Beatles, "Deep down, I think we have them on the run," Stewart doesn't pursue the potentially rich vein. While the Edge is not prone to vagaries, Bono and Stewart become a little too esoteric and ethereal at times -- to the point where you're not sure exactly what, if anything, is being said. But the three of them make an affable trio, even if they don't really take the dialogue as far as they could given the freedom they have. They banter and tease one another, and the hour passes effortlessly with a mild rattle and a dull hum. boston.com
Edge also notes, not for the first time, how U2 came out of the punk movement, where the lasting mantra was simplicity (Off the Record) - At this point, getting U2's Bono to talk - about anything - is no harder than getting a dog to wag its tail at a fistful of fresh bones. But he seems to keep finding new audiences, or at least old ones that don't mind hearing a few greatest hits. People who have followed U2 over the years won't hear radically new material when Bono and U2 guitarist The Edge sit down for this hour-long "Off the Record" session with interviewer Dave Stewart. Neither will they be bored. When The Edge talks about playing guitar on mathematical principles, that's turf he's covered before. And yes, the predictable sound- wave patterns of feedback may be a discussion in which the average music fan has only passing interest. But he gets away with it because U2 some time ago transcended "average" in the rock world and therefore has so much recognizable music as reference points. Familiar songs and a large, devoted core of listeners win them considerable latitude in an interview like this. On the other hand, they're smart enough to realize they should focus on matters to which the listener relates. Stewart holds up a Patti Smith album, for instance, and Bono immediately says she is the reason he bares his soul in his lyrics. Edge, real name David Evans, talks about how Bryan Ferry's experimentation gave U2 the kind of creative inspiration that the Beatles or the Who gave to an earlier generation of rockers. Edge also notes, not for the first time, how U2 came out of the punk movement, where the lasting mantra was simplicity. Of less interest, perhaps, are passages where Bono goes political. While there are no speeches here on Third World debt, he does declare that at one time he may have been naive about the oppression of communism. That sort of rumination doubtless reflects Bono's absorption of lessons and thoughts from the non-rock 'n' roll people with whom he has hung out. Since he shows no signs of shedding that part of his life, most fans have either embraced or tolerated it. For purposes of this program, though, the more interesting Bono remains the one who recounts - again, not for the first time - that U2's first gig as a band was surprisingly good, "and the next 25 were awful." That's interesting because out of it, somehow, these two guys plus Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. formed a remarkably solid band that has produced years of solid music. Hearing The Edge talk about how Clayton's bass is in some ways a lead instrument in U2 while his own guitar often falls back into the rhythm section with Mullen, is the reason to tune in to this good-natured hour of patter.
Old albums and invites Bono and the Edge (Off the Record) - The musical talk show ''Off the Record'' (HBO at 11) captures one of the exquisite and rapidly vanishing pleasures of conversational life — sitting around and talking about your favorite albums. There's something wonderfully tactile about being able to pick up a 12-by-12-inch cardboard sleeve and hold in your hand a cultural statement and a collection of songs and memories. I'm not sure whether CDs ever had the same emotional impact, and I can't imagine a discussion about great downloads some 30 years hence. Host Dave Stewart is best known for his work with Annie Lennox in the Eurythmics. His first guests on ''Off the Record'' are Bono and the Edge of U2. He presents concert footage and clips of music videos and discusses the 30-year history of U2. But the show really takes off when he opens a briefcase filled with old albums and invites Bono and the Edge to share their thoughts about David Bowie's ''Low'' and ''Marquee Moon'' by Television, and other albums by Patti Smith, the Ramones, the Clash, the Beatles and Van Morrison.

126th VERTIGO SHOW - NEW ZEALAND - AUCKLAND - NOVEMBER 24, 2006: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland - New Zealand - november 24, 2006. Bono surprised fans by wearing a jacket displaying the Warriors logo when he emerged on stage with U2 on Friday evening. One Tree Hill, up next, was dedicated to U2's former New Zealand roadie the late Greg Carroll. City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo-We Will Rock You (Snippet)-Can't Stand The Rain (Snippet) / Elevation-Four Seasons In One Day (Snippet) / I Will Follow / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day-Sgnt Peppers lonely Hearts Club Band-(Snippet)-Here Come's The Sun (Snippet) / ONE TREE HILL / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own-One Tree Hill (Snippet) / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday-Rock The Casbah (Snippet) / Bullet The Blue Sky-Johnny Comes Marching Home Again (Snippet)-The Hands That Built America (Snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One / ENCORE BREAK: The Fly / Mysterious Ways / With Or Without You / The Saints Are Coming / Angel Of Harlem / Kite.

Photos: nzherald
..."Hardly anyone cashed in their tickets, which was amazing," Bono said earlier, when he flew in by helicopter for a sound check. ... One Tree Hill, up next, was dedicated to U2's former New Zealand roadie the late Greg Carroll.
Pre-show videos:
here * here * here
One Tree Hill:

Aotearoa right in front of you (New Zealand 1)
Some show tonight in Auckland, New Zealand from the lyrically remade Beautiful Day to a moving One Tree Hill and a soaring Kite. Bono came on stage wearing a jacket with 'The Warriors' on it, in tribute to the rugby league team that call this stadium home. And even though the weather had been a little damp ('It's slippery up here, very slippery.' he observed as Vertigo kicked in. 'Could be interesting.') the rain held off, the Kiwi audience were as loud as any on the tour and after the flood, right on cue, all the colours came out. Why not - when on of the band's signature tunes is rewritten in homage to your country. 'See the world in Green and Blue / Aotearoa right in front of you / See the land of the long white cloud / Cape Reinga, to the fjords in the south / Harbour lights in the City of Sails / Aroha, the love that never fails / See the bird with the leaf in her mouth / After the flood all the colours came out.' / A nod to New Zealand's pop music heritage came in Elevation when Bono slipped in a snatch of Crowded House's 'Four Seasons in One Day' but the warmest tribute came with the arrival of One Tree Hill, all the way from 1987, a song written in memory of the band's late friend Greg Caroll - a New Zealander who worked with them for many years in Dublin. Always a bit special to hear this performed live. 'We spent some time here,' explained Bono. When our friend was lost. Went to his tangi... such an important and moving ocassion.' Orange, green and white balloons were everywhere during 'Streets' which even seemed to catch the breath of the band. 'This is too much,' said Bono as the song came to close, 'Too much for four Irish boys. What I humbly ask you to do this is think about texting (to) make poverty history. That would be a great Christmas present. We have the pharmeceuticals. We have the resources to say no to extreme poverty...' A beautiful young girl emerged from the audience to dance in With or Without You and at the end Bono thanked everyone for 'giving us a large life... we'll try to live it as large as we can.' Maybe it was destined to be a great night, a return to this city and country for the first time since December 1993 - thirteen years ago. Whatever the reason, it was a night to remember as Bono and Edge played Angel of Harlem on the b-stage and we all left singing, 'Who's to say where the wind will take you / Who's to know what it is will break you / I don't know where the wind will blow / Who's to know when the time has come around / I don't wanna see you cry/ I know that this is not goodbye...' Look for: The balloons * The balloons and the crowd * U2 on stage * Bono and young fan
Kiwi hospitality ... While in New Zealand, Bono and guitarist The Edge treated themselves to Kiwi hospitality and stayed on the luxurious Michael Fay-owned Great Mercury Island in the Coromandel. The island is 20km off the Coromandel coast, but only a 25-minute trip by helicopter from Auckland city. It costs about $20,000 a day to hire.
Edge played with the Music Rising Epiphone guitar, the limited edition, and the song got a new animation, a sort of tribal (Aboriginal artwork). Tim Moriarty accompanying the band on Kite at the close of the show.. More photos: U2.com

NOVEMBER 23

NOVEMBER 22: A track never released / Heavily improvised version / Edge and Adam switch back their instruments to play more 2 songs / Michael Hutchence is dead / with Jay Leno / Bono at Jacob & Co event in NYC / U2 star The Edge in the Big Apple to shoot a public service announcement for Music Cares / 97TH show: Instant Karma closed the show!

"Boy" tour - november 22, 1980 - U2 perform in Liverpool, England at Brady's.

"October" tour - november 22, 1981 - U2 perform in New York, New York at The Ritz. The audience in this night are largely unfamiliar with U2 and have come check out the band. All day U2 had been recording a new song in the Kingdom Sound Studio on Long Island. As a consequence the group seem tired and barely manage to get the audience up from their seats. The day after is again spent in the studio finishing the recording, but band are not satisfied with the session and never release the track.

"War" tour - november 22, 1983 - U2 play their debut Japanese gig at the Festival Hall in Osaka, Japan. After the show, U2 appear in a live TV interview at which they perform "New Year's Day". The Edge's guitar breaks down, resulting in a heavily improvised version of the song.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 22, 1987 - U2 perform in Austin, Texas at Frank Erwin Center. Bono's voice is suffering--he has trouble hitting the high notes the whole night. The show also suffers from serious acoustical problems with the venue, and at one point The Edge gets lost in a song, with troubles hearing the show. Bono walks over to him to sing so that The Edge can hold the tempo of the song. While Edge and Adam are switching their instruments in order to play 40, Bono calls them over and they switch back. Two extra songs, Stand By Me and Spanish Eyes, are played to make up for the difficulties. Support is "The BoDeans".

"ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour - november 22, 1992 - U2 perform in Mexico City, Mexico, Palacio de Los Deportes.

November 22, 1997 - Lead singer of INXS, Micheal Hutchence is found dead in a hotel room in Sydney, Australia. To the shock of fans everywhere, it is revealed that he has committed suicide.

"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" - november 22, 2001 - Burbank, CA - NBC Studios. "Walk On". U2 perform on a special Thanksgiving-night edition of NBC's 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.' Bono is interviewed briefly after the band's performance.

Bono at Jacob & Co event in NYC - November 22, 2005 - Jacob & Co. and Helena Christensen Celebrate the New Ad Campaign and Ladies Fine Jewelry Collection

U2 star The Edge in the Big Apple to shoot a public service announcement for Music Cares - November 22, 2005 - THE EDGE PLEDGES TO BRING MUSIC BACK TO NEW ORLEANS - Wearing his trademark knit cap, U2 star The Edge was in the Big Apple to shoot a public service announcement for Music Cares. While U2 front man Bono is usually the one making headlines for his philanthropic work, the band's somewhat less vocal guitarist has stepped centre stage to help the musicians of devastated New Orleans. Wearing a leather jacket and trademark knit cap, The Edge shot a public service announcement for Music Rising, a new initiative to provide instruments for musical artists displaced by Hurricane Katrina. 'New Orleans is a crucible for great music,' says the U2 star of the city famed as the birthplace of jazz. 'The idea that it would be just a place of history for music is awful to me...Something should be done and not just because New Orleans deserves it, but because the world needs New Orleans.' After reaching their goal of replacing instruments lost by professional musicians, Music Rising then hopes to focus on restoring music to local churches and schools.

97TH SHOW - 'VERTIGO' TOUR - NYC - NOVEMBER 22, 2005: 'Instant Karma" closed the show! November 22, 2005 / New York, NY - Madison Square Garden - Patti Smith - City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, The Electric Co. - Send in the Clowns, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Beautiful Day, Original of the Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One, MLK. Encore(s): Until the End of the World, Mysterious Ways, With or Without You, Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Instant Karma. Bono brings a young girl on stage during Mysterious Ways, but rather than dance he picks her up and gives her a piggy-back ride around the ellipse. Stuck In a Moment is dedicated to Michael Hutchence; it's the 8th anniversary of his death. Patti Smith joins the band for Instant Karma again tonight, but the concert comes to an abrupt end at the end of the song for reasons unknown. Bono suddenly leads her off-stage, and the band stops the song to follow then. They come back out and try to restart the song, but it doesn't work and the band leaves again. The lights come on and the show is over. Some fans at the show say Smith looked like she was feeling ill on stage. **** Celebs...dedications - Lenny Kravitz: Proceed to Floor - Celebrities are so lucky. Not only do they have fame and fortune, they have luck too. Well, most of them have luck. For U2's second sold-out show at the Garden this November, a large number of celebrities scanned in Lucky Vertigo and packed the ellipse. Our non-celebrity staff (she's a star to us!), who was also lucky and landed a spot in the ellipse, identified Lars Ullrich, Michael Stipe, Helena Christensen, Jimmy Fallon, Guggi, and Charlie Rose enjoying the show from inside the ellipse. (For the record, Rose doesn't rock out. He studies the performance. With a beer in hand.) Bono's wife Ali and brother Norman were also spotted rubbing shoulders with the celebrities and peon fans inside the ellipse. Meanwhile, back at the mix desk were Lenny Kravitz, Josh Brolin, and 'a lot of models' whose tickets apparently did not scan Lucky Vertigo. Awww! The show was similar to the previous evening's performance with one difference - the dedications. Bono dedicated 'Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own' to his brother, whom he referred to as 'Normal' and credited as being the co-writer of the song; 'MLK' was dedicated to JFK; and 'Stuck in a Moment' was performed in recognition of the anniversary of Michael Hutchence's death. As with the previous night, show opener Patti Smith joined U2 to perform a long version of 'Instant Karma.' At one point, Bono and Smith left the stage as The Edge began a spotlight guitar performance. It seemed the audience were expected to finish up the song with The Edge, but when that didn't happen, the singers returned to the stage and closed the song. Although 'Yahweh' and '40' were listed on the setlist, they were not performed." **** Larry was as a kid again / a fan and his pregnant wife! "...my 8 months pregnant wife...Bono looking at Jill during one of the verses for Stuck In A Moment....Instant Karma rocked. Larry's face during Instant Karma was priceless - he was a kid again playing with one of his idols. And the look he shared with Adam during the 'drum solo' part of the song was hysterical. Kind of said 'Wow..that was...not good.' And then he laughed. But THE highlight for me (and I'm sorry for the rambling here) ' but the number one thing was when Jill took my hand during 'I Still Haven't Found' and put it on her belly and my baby was kicking along to the song...I'm a big ol wussy cos I teared up (I'm even tearing up a little writing this right now) but it was amazing that my baby was enjoying the concert as well'..." by Rafiennes **** Lady Ann...
"...My Boy Larry was particularly upbeat tonite and many times waved to his left with more energy than usual. He even blew a kiss in that direction... which made me take a closer look and VIOLA! there is The Lady Ann... I'd say in about section 74.. little white tank top & jeans... anyone else notice or get a photo? She was smiling alot (who wouldn't smile alot if Larry was sleeping next to them every night). It was interesting to see him blow that kiss up to her... v. sweet." **** Edge was dynamic - "...The best part was UTEOTW, especially when Edge ran around the ellipse. He was dynamic last night. He even stood on a box next to Larry, and Larry had a good laugh. He laughed a lot last night. The whole band was having fun...." by Pearl
**** This fan met Edge after the show - "...Had a great moment walking up 33rd Street at around 11:50 to grab a cab on 8th when the Edge's car pulled off the ramp. I originally figured it was Chuck Dolan after a long hard day of sticking pins in his Mike Bloomberg doll, but when Edge got out the few people there were amazed. He talked for a few minutes (warned us all to get out of the cold), signed autographs, posed for pictures and then drove off. He was such a gentleman. Thanks Edge...for everything. " by RJC **** A Miracle Drug! (one day there will be) ...Thank you, U2 for being on the center of the MSG stage. I am so grateful that I was witness to your magic tonight. It will stay with me forever & I hope it will sustain me in my dark moments as I take care of my sweet, five year old daughter who is afflicted with autism. My heart is broken because my baby was born with this devestating neurological disorder but U2's lyrics help me through each & every day. "The songs are in [her] eyes. I see them when [she] smiles." I still haven't found what I'm looking for either. Maybe someday there will be a "miracle drug" to help her but until then there's Bono's wisdom, "what no man owns, no man can take...take this heart & make it break." by Jenny - u2@nashs.org **** The Setlist and Snippets
At the seventh and last New York show for the Vertigo Tour's third leg, U2 not only covered Instant Karma again with Patti Smith but closed the concert with the song, making it the fifth closer on the tour. Interestingly, all five Vertigo Tour closers (40, Bad, Instant Karma, Vertigo, and With Or Without You) have closed concerts in New York this tour. As today is the eighth anniversary of the death of INXS singer Michael Hutchence, Stuck In A Moment was dedicated to him. Also, after missing four consecutive concerts, The Electric Co. returned to the setlist. // The Electric Co. / Send In The Clowns (snippet) / See Me, Feel Me (snippet) - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / In A Little While (snippet) - Beautiful Day / The One I Love (snippet) - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / The Black Hills of Dakota (snippet) - Sunday Bloody Sunday / Rock The Casbah (snippet) - Bullet The Blue Sky / The Hands That Built America (snippet) / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet) - from U2-vertigo tour **** Photos:
U2-Vertigo-tour

NOVEMBER 20: Sold-out at the Ritz / Rain with great spirit / Finishing POP / U2 sing for Omagh victims / Dalla´s b-day / U2 filmed scenes for Window In The Skies with 300 extras at the pub / U2 and Green Day Release 'The Saints Are Coming' Raises Funds for Music Rising-Download Available Via iTunes With Proceeds for Charity!

"Boy" tour - november 20, 1980 - U2 perform in Blackpool, England at the Polytechnic School.

"October" tour - november 20, 198 - U2 perform in New York, NY, USA at the Ritz. A sign of their growing popularity, tonight is the first of three consecutive sold-out shows at the Ritz in New York City.

"ZOOTV - New Zooland/ Japan" tour - november 20, 1993 - U2 perform in Brisbane, Australia at Anz Stadium. It rains throughout the show but it doesn´t dampen spirits among the cheerful crowd.

"U2 wraps recording on new album" - november 20, 1996. U2 completes recording of its new album. Mixing is still to take place, with a March release date scheduled. The band's "studio-cam" closes down with a shot of a markerboard which reads, "Elvis Has Hacked His Way Out Of The Building."

"U2 sing for Omagh victims on Irish TV" - november 20, 1998. U2 appear on a special edition of Irish TV program "The Late Late Show." The show is a tribute to the victims of the Omagh bombing earlier this year. U2 open the show with "North and South of the River," their first live performance of the song, and close the show with "All I Want Is You."

"Elevation" tour - november 20, 2001 - Sacramento / CA - Arco Arena. Bono dances on stage with a female fan during 'Angel of Harlem.' Gwen Stefani joins in singing 'What's Going On.' Before 'One,' Bono tells the crowd it's Dallas Schoo's birthday. Bono gives the mic to a fan who leads the crowd in singing 'Happy Birthday' to Edge's longtime guitar tech.

U2 filmed scenes for Window In The Skies with 300 extras at the pub - November 20, 2006 - The song will be the next release from their new compilation 18 Singles. Bono talked with fans before entering the venue, coming straight from a meeting with Treasurer Peter Costello. The extras all signed confidentiality clauses. Scenes were shot inside the bandroom and on the rooftop beer garden. U2 also filmed footage at their Melbourne concert on Saturday, which is expected to be used on a DVD. Photos: brianrosco * On location with director Gary Koepke, filming took place with 300 fans at The Corner Hotel in Richmond. Many had been at Fridays Make Poverty History concert as well as both Telstra Dome shows... but this was just a little more intimate! Window in the Skies will be the next U2 single and is the eighteenth track on 'U218 SIngles' which is released worldwide today. Photo: the Corner. Photo: the crowd. Photo: the work. Photo: Edge and Larry. Photos by John McKayBono and John McKay. Edge. Edge-smile. Edge signing


U2 and Green Day Release 'The Saints Are Coming' Raises Funds for Music Rising - Download Available Via iTunes With Proceeds for Charity - November 20, 2006 - Music Rising announced Saturday that the download for the much anticipated "The Saints Are Coming" collaboration between legendary rock groups U2 and Green Day is now available via iTunes in the U.S. The song has topped the charts throughout Europe since its release.