U2 Ready To Rock Raleigh
The biggest rock concert in the history of the Carolinas touches down in Raleigh, N.C. tonight as Irish mega-band U2 brings its massive 360 tour to Carter-Finley Stadium on the North Carolina State University campus. As many as 70,000 fans (including our founding editor) will be there for the show, which will feature a mix of material from the band’s formative years as well as songs from recent albums including the band’s latest studio release, No Line on the Horizon.
Tonight’s show is the 11th North American date on U2’s 11th world tour – which kicked off this summer in Europe.
We literally can’t wait, people …
We’ve been U2 fans since 1984, when our uncle Steve hooked us up with a LP of “The Unforgettable Fire,” the band’s fourth studio album. We last saw the band on the third date of the Zoo TV tour in Charlotte, N.C., back in 1993.
For the last several days, hundreds of workers in Raleigh have been constructing the massive “Claw” stage – the largest stage in rock-n-roll history.
Take a look …
The “Claw” – which contains speakers, lights and a descending video “lattice” screen – requires 128 tractor trailers to transport, and there are actually three of them that leapfrog from city-to-city. The daily cost of the U2 production – which is sponsored by Blackberry and managed by Live Nation – is estimated at $750,000.
At the conclusion of the 360 tour, U2 will leave the three “Claw” structures in different parts of the world as permanent concert venues.
Look forward to a full report on the show here on FITS …
Comments
By JOEBOB on October 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Elton John has done bigger shows around here than U2
By Just another Joe on October 3rd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Will wait for the overpriced DVD to come out. That way, hoepfully, I can see the stage clearly. Have fun.
By Jen on October 3rd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
“Biggest rock concert in the history of the Carolinas”? I love U2 and it will be a great show, but still beg to differ on this point!!
By Chris on October 3rd, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I see it as Greed,arrogance and criminal to overbook your stadium and oversell your city’s infrastructure to handle such a show. A wasted weekend of driving, over $200 in admission fees and over three hours on your freeway
Leaves a very bad taste in the visitors mouth. I will not forget, nor come back to Ralleigh or Bono in many ways.
By Jimmy on October 4th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Elton John?? please !!… yeah OK there Billy Bob…er I mean Joe Bob keep telling yourelf that Elton could possibly ever top tonight’s show(hint: no one is topping this)…if that’s what helps you sleep at night..good luck
By Janet on October 4th, 2009 at 10:25 am
We had tickets and were turned away by the police for no parking. Other people parked their cars in tow waway zones, but we drove from an hour away and couldn’t risk it.
If anyone else had this problem contact me. I anticipate an issue with getting a refund.
By therese on October 4th, 2009 at 11:28 am
hey chris. bono and the gang will do more for humanitarian causes around the world than all of us put together will do in several lifetimes. taste and remember that.
By Matt on October 4th, 2009 at 11:59 am
$250 to go see a band? It’s a world gone mad. Turn on the radio instead. It’s free.
By Josh on October 4th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Re Matt: in response to the “turn on the radio its free” statement… todays radio sucks ass,that’s why I have satellite radio…..as far as “$250 dollars to go see a band”…you decide to blindly leave out the fact that there were also tickets that were $30 dollars and standing room on the floor of the stadium that was $55 dollars and $95 dollar tickets…as far as some of the tickets that were $250 goes…yes that’s expensive but consider that the band (U2) tours once every 5 years (in Raleigh’s case it’s once every 25 years)
Compare it to the highest price for one regular season Yankee game ticket which can cost almost $2000 dollars and they play 82 home games..every single year..or expensive Canes or NBA tickets….the U2 ticket ends up being not so expensive in comparison…my guess is that you’re just a cheapskate
By JOEBOB on October 4th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Well Jimmy: Elton John has sold out Carter Finley twice in the past 6 years. Once was by himself and the other was with Billy Joel. He has also sold out the Panthers stadium and Clemsons in the past few years while selling out arenas in Columbia, Greenville, Charlotte, and Raleigh. His shows are 3 hours by himself with many of his top songs unplayed because he has so many. Oh well, if you need to make yourself think you’re cooler because of U2 then have at it. They may make it as big someday.
By Suzanne on October 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Went to the concert and it was the best show I’ve ever experienced (and I’ve been to a LOT of concerts). The parking was no problem…arrived at the stadium early (5:45 p.m.) and we got out and back to our hotel in a half hour. I hope Bono and the boys continue to ROCK ON!!!
By Strom's Daughter on October 4th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Last night I dreamed a genie visited me and told me he would take me to the U2 concert in Raleigh.
In a scoffing voice, I told the genie I wouldn’t walk across the street to look at that runt, Bono — nor Bruce Shrimpstein, for that matter — but I would pay $250 to watch one of those two get continuously raped by a striped-ass ape.
Imagine my surprise when the genie immediately swooped me into the air and carried me off to a seat in front of a glass partition, behind which was a large windowless room, where I saw Bono and an angry/horny-looking ape sitting next to each other on the floor.
The ape suddenly leaped up, ripped off Bono’s clothes and orange-tinted sunglasses and began fucking Bono doggie-style for around forty-five minutes. The ape went: “A-hoo, a-hoo, a-hoo,” the whole time.
Then he fucked Bono in the missionary position for about another half-hour. He fucked Bono reverse-cowgirl style and then spoon-fashion for another forty minutes. I laughed so hard at these proceedings that I grew sleepy and took a short nap in my chair.
When I awoke, Bono lay dazed in the corner of the room, blood trickling out of his ass and mouth, while the ape sat in another corner jacking off.
So whether you saw Bono last night in person or in a wonderful, mysterious dream like mine, I hope you too got your money’s worth.
By JOEBOB on October 4th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Sorry.:biggest rock star concert in history of Carolinas” I beg to differ, I know you felt great about it and all but here are the facts. Elton John, the Who. Pink Floyd , and McCartney have all played staduim shows in the Carolinas with Elton selleng out the most.He can you argue when a guy has been playing for 3 hours and has only completed haif of his hit catalogue, and that he began filling up our stadiums in 1970. Guinness Books say that Elton is the top selling act alive today and that he has played to larger live audiences than any other performer. No doubt that U2 did a great show, but whatever they do they are just trying to catch up with Elton!
By fitsnews on October 4th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
What’s with all these Elton John fans?
That’s pop, people. Not rock.
Here’s a review of a REAL rock concert …
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/10/04/u2-360-degrees-of-rock-comes-to-the-carolinas/
By JOHNL on October 5th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I live in Dublin, U2’s hometown. I have been to North Carolina a number of times and for me, it is the best state in the US.
U2 played 3 consecutive concerts of 82,000 in Dublin in July. That’s almost 250,000! We are proud of them.
If you have not been to a U2 concert, you are missing not only the music, but a unique experience. They invest millions in the stage sets such as the giant claw to give their fans an unforgettable show. Listening to CD’s or watching videos doen’t even come close.
For the record, Elton John and each of the U2 band have houses between Nice and Monaco in the South of France and they are close friends. I don’t think either need to count fans.
By Matt on October 5th, 2009 at 10:25 am
strom’s daughter….wow…u must have some serious mental and sexual issues to “dream” up that repulsive post. Hey SIC, how about taking some editorial initiative and deleting trash like that???
By Strung out like a guitar on October 5th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
We both know that as good as it was, nothing beats Zoo TV, Williams Brice, 1992.
Except maybe when Blind Melon opened for the Stones at WB.
By Strom's Daughter on October 5th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Like . . . wow, Matt.
You are severely constipated to exhort the benefits of babysitting for your fellow readers.
The blockage extends from your big noodle (colon) all the way to your brain (little noodle).
Have yourself irrigated — but, for Christ’s sake, leave enough shit in your cranium to keep it from caving in on itself.
On second thought, clean it all out and fill up the empty area with some styrofoam peanuts.
If you don’t have the three or four styrofoam peanuts you need, some shredded newspapers will work, while likewise serving as an ample metaphor.
By Matt on October 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Josh, I wouldn’t pay two dollars and fifty cents to deal with the crowds, traffic, noise, and overall hassle of going to Raleigh to see any band.
Your comparison to sports tickets it well taken though. And you’re right-I am a cheapskate. A middle-aged one at that who would never pay to listen to a radio.