U2 in UAE
 

It seems U2 are announcing new dates for their 360 tour every few weeks. Does anybody know if there are any plans for them to play a gig in the UAE?
Weve had beyonce and the killers etc. so it would be great to see the greatest band of all coming to play.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

It could be that it depends on where they are at the end of the tour.

Like quite a few bands before them, Abu Dhabi (Emirates palace gig) is usually a stop over gig paying easy tax free pocket money on the way back to Europe from Australia etc.

They are still one of my ''must see'' bands. As well as The Red Hot chilli peppers.

Still regret not seeing Talking Heads and Fleetwood Mac when I had the chance many years ago in the UK.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

I've been informed they won't be coming here, or at least to AD. The cost of the logistics alone make it too prohibitive apparently.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

I can;t imagine they'd EVER come to the UAE to be honest.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

The Killers were mesmerising last night.Brandon reminded me so much of a young David Byrne only a better singer.

I would never say never in terms of U2 appearing in UAE.
Seen them in UK 3 times and have to say they would need to up their game from the last concert to be as good as the Killers were last night.
I am a huge U2 fan but do feel they have had their best years.
I don't quite understand the cost prohibitive arguement Benzo.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Flash is still a business and has to make money. To get the U2 stage over and all the gubbins is about $4 million, then the band themselves would probably be looking for a similar amount.

Flash don't cover the costs with ticket sales and rely on sponsorship to make these events viable. Who knows it may happen, but when I last spoke to the guys in Flash they said it was unlikely to happen.

As for last night, Killers were great. Just a shame that they had to finish at 10.30pm. They had to leave the venue and head straight for the airport as they are playing for the CEO of Google tonight at his birthday bash.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Yeh, I didn't want to leave. Brandon was 'full on' for the duration,not sure he coulda lasted much longer tho'

Re: U2 in UAE
 

He looked pretty shattered backstage afterwards. :p

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Such a name dropping show off you are.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

spot on. in a nut shell. very doubtful due to transport, talent fee, insurance....

Even Bono with a mic and The Edge with an accoustic would cost millions.... nevermind the most expensive staging ever....

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Jeez I'm in the wrong business,move over Eddie Stobart:D
So they've priced themselves outta the market then?
Is it just about money though?Doesn't their performers' ego
need to know they are still loved and feted as global rock heroes?

Another thing I found quite pleasant about the concert last night was the
merchadise wasn't too loaded.Some kids were buying pretty nice T'S for 100AED...seems fair to me.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

maybe, but that would involve an impromptu gig on a roof top on Oxford Street or Sunset with nubile nakedness, drugs, alcohol and maybe a winged porcine percussive element and not a stupid 5 star hotel in the middle of a sand trap... that is a pure money gig.... like it or not. no ego, just green backs. why else?

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Hardly a global exposition tho but you're right, I was just being whimsical.
S'pose it's all about filthy lucre.....
(don't mean the band)

Re: U2 in UAE
 

hate to say it, but with the death of record sales, gigs are more about filthy lucre than ever before.... Malcolm and Johnny, weep here.....

Re: U2 in UAE
 

It's what makes the world go round Auto.
You'll know the profit margins better than most too.
I think most folks would agree on good value for money
last night though.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

A mate from here was in UK earlier this year and went to a party with The Edge. When asked if U2 were coming to Dubai (admittedly he did not say UAE or Abu Dhabi), the response was "They can't afford us".

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Agree, but shame the piss-poor beer was bloody Dhs40 a pint and the bar staff didn't know their arses from their elbows.

Apart from that, v. well organised I thought.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

'...a party with The Edge'......oooooh, that's heaven!!.
There will come a day they will lower their price in exchange for
reassurance they are still up there with the people.

No idea about beer.One of the very few drinks I dislike:o

Re: U2 in UAE
 

What do you like? Champers was Dhs120 a glass!!

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Haven't U2, or Bono at least, commented on human rights issues in the UAE? That is allegedly a reason why they wouldn't appear. Mind you Chris Martin said the same for many years...

-

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Yeah, but when it comes down to it cash is king. I think the global financial meltdown made some of these principled bands re-evaluate things.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Oh dear, this will sound twattish.... I wouldn't/didn't bother as I hate plastic glasses.
I do like champers,Krug for specials and Bollinger for whenever else.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Yeh, Chris Martin ate his hat on that one.
Everyone has their price imho anyway.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

No, I agree completely - that is exactly my point - why would anyone want to pay Dhs120 for warm, cheap (probably) champagne out of a plastic glass??

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Quite. Besides it was a night for dancing!

Re: U2 in UAE
 

they stopped being relevant years and years ago, Bono is one of the biggest pricks in music and they haven't released anything half decent since Zooropa.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

They will always be relevant but I agree their star is on the wain -which is only to be expected.When you are at the top of your game there is only one way to go.Emeerging bands continue to be influenced by them-indeed The Killers, well b.flow anyways is.

Some decent tracks on All that you can't.......& How to Dismantle but thought Line on the Horizon was very disappointing.Very subjective though.
For me Rattle & Hum is the superlative.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

And i'm sure it was the smallest "pint" i've ever had.....

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Agree.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

the joshua tree is an utter classic.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Ergo U2's relevance to music history.................

Re: U2 in UAE
 

I preferred The Unforgettable Fire. Joshua Tree, although a good album was where it started to go wrong for U2 and in particular, Bongo. It was from that point he started suffering from jerusalem syndrome and became the musical equivalent of Billy Graham.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

I thought Rattle and Hum was crap.

Achtung Baby and TJT were their best by miles.

No Line is pretty good. Took a few listens to get into, mind. Moment of Surrender is a simply superlative song.

But...it's all subjective. One man's cheese is another's smegma.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

[QUOTE=benzonar;8161977]I preferred The Unforgettable Fire. ]

[QUOTE=littlejimmy;8162327]I thought Rattle and Hum was crap.

Achtung Baby and TJT were their best by miles.



Perfectly demonstrates why they are one of the best bands of our time.
Can't please all of the people all of the time but they continue to please a lot of the people some of the time.
Diverse collections of excellent music.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

But despite what they have done in the past, and what they may do in the future - Bongo knows that for sheer effortless talent U2 will never touch the majesty of The Smiths.

Re: U2 in UAE
 

You need to go and lie down in a dark room.......

Re: U2 in UAE
 

Benzo,
Today, I brunched with a friend who said he'd phone a friend who knew a friend of Paul's;).He did.
It seems before the Far East there are extra dates in Middle East.
'Absurd' was the word used in terms of money.
Want to wager?

Re: U2 in UAE
 

if they were on in the garden I'd draw the curtains

twats

Re: U2 in UAE
 

When you say 'paul', do you mean 'bono'? So they could play somewhere in the gulf?

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Sounds credible Eva. Like I said a couple of posts ago, Bands playing in Far East, Australia etc...have a one night stop over in AD or Dubai..the best suite in Emirates palace and a very nice cheque in The Arse pocket.