U2 City

U2 are headed back into the record studio next week, quite possibly to continue working on their next album, which Bono has said will be called Songs of Ascent. The news comes from a BBC news article that says Brian Eno confirmed he'll be in the studio with the band next week. No other details than that, but you can use the link for the full article if you'd like.

read the full article >>

@U2 reader Raul L. points us to this interview U2 did last month in Fez with the Portuguese station SIC. Bono says the band is planning to play in Portugal next summer (2010).

Someday we'll have a U2 interview in @U2's long-running "off the record..." column, but for now Bono and Edge (plus Eno & Lanois) are set to appear on the nationally syndicated "Off The Record with Joe Benson" radio show on Sunday, April 19. Visit UncleJoe.com to see some of the stations that carry the program. (Thx Debbie)

Via U2gigs.com, we learn about this Argentinian newspaper article in which Paul McGuinness reportedy confirms that U2 will tour South America in October, 2010.

U2tour.de has posted track list details for the upcoming "Magnificent" single:

7" single (UK only)
Side A: Magnificent (UK Edit)
Side B: Breathe (Live from Somerville Theatre, Boston)

2-track CD:
1. Magnificent (Edit)
2. Breathe (Live from Somerville Theatre, Boston)

3-track CD:
1. Magnificent (Edit)
2. Vertigo (Live from Somerville Theatre, Boston)
3. Get On Your Boots (Justice Remix)
4. TBD

With the full set of North American U2 360 Tour dates now announced, here's a recap of the opening acts for the whole tour:

Snow Patrol
September 12, 2009: Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
September 13, 2009: Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
September 16, 2009: Toronto ON, Canada @ Rogers Centre
September 17, 2009: Toronto ON, Canada @ Rogers Centre
September 20, 2009: Boston, MA @ Gillette Stadium
September 21, 2009: Boston, MA @ Gillette Stadium

Muse
September 24, 2009: East Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium
September 25, 2009: East Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium
September 29, 2009: Washington, DC @ FedEx Field
October 01, 2009: Charlottesville, VA @ Scott Stadium
October 03, 2009: Raleigh, NC @ Carter-Finley Stadium
October 06, 2009: Atlanta, GA @ Georgia Dome
October 09, 2009: Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium
October 12, 2009: Dallas, TX @ Cowboys Stadium
October 14, 2009: Houston, TX @ Reliant Stadium

Black Eyed Peas
October 18, 2009: Norman, OK @ Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
October 20, 2009: Phoenix, AZ @ University of Phoenix Stadium
October 23, 2009: Las Vegas, NV @ Sam Boyd Stadium
October 25, 2009: Los Angeles, CA @ Rose Bowl
October 28, 2009: Vancouver BC, Canada @ BC Place

see the full 2nd leg on U2tours.com >>

UPDATE: The news release somehow got the on-sale dates wrong for three cities. According to U2.com, the correct public on-sale dates are:

Raleigh - Friday, April 17
Norman - Friday, April 17
Las Vegas - Saturday, April 18

Note that U2.com presales for all remaining shows will happen April 14-16.
--end of update--

Live Nation issued this news release tonight that goes on and on about ticket sales so far. But the really important stuff is this paragraph about upcoming ticket sales/dates:

"The final 2009 concert dates were also announced today. Tickets for U2 concerts in Raleigh, NC on October 3rd at Carter Finlay Stadium as well as the October 18th performance in Norman, OK at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium go on sale this Friday. Tickets for the October 23rd performance at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV go on sale this Saturday. And lastly, tickets for the October 12th performance in Dallas, TX at New Cowboys Stadium, in Houston, TX on October 14th at Reliant Stadium and in Phoenix, AZ on October 20th at University of Phoenix Stadium will go on sale Monday, April 20th."

As of this moment, U2.com has not updated its concert listings. That should change soon, and our guess is that presales for Raleigh, Oklahoma City, and Las Vegas will happen this week. Maybe as soon as tomorrow (Tuesday).

... U2 has overhauled the U2 360 Tour logo. Gone is the glam-rock, ridged, gray-orange claw-like thing. In its place is a shiny, silver-and-white gradient logo with a circle (to fit the 360 theme) that me likey a lot better. Not that it really matters, but this'll sell a few more t-shirts, I'd say. (thx to@artfuleck on Twitter for the tip)

compare the old and new logos on Flickr >>

Yer man appears on Songs Around The World, a CD+DVD coming out later this month from the Playing for Change project. If that name rings a bell, it's because PFC was part of the (RED)WIRE digital music magazine launch late last year. (They contributed this version of Stand By Me, as I recall.) Bono contributes to a cover of Bob Marley's "War/No More3 Trouble." The CD+DVD is available on Amazon.com or direct from the Playing for Change store for about a dollar more. Release date is April 28. (Thx Anna.)