Live Nation Global Touring and Big Concerts confirmed on 18 October 2010 that Ireland’s rock giants, U2, will be returning after 12 years to South Africa on their already highly-successful and most attended tour to date. The U2 360° Tour will be hosted at two of our country’s world-class soccer stadiums: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, on 13 February 2011, and Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, on 18 February 2011.
Photo : Andy Willsher
“U2 has always been at their best when surrounded by their audience, and 360° allows that to happen – in stadiums,” says U2’s manager Paul McGuinness. “South Africa has the best stadiums in the world now and we’re really looking forward to bringing the full U2 360° production into these fantastic facilities.”
The extent of U2’s live performances is nothing short of amazing and exhilarating, and it pushes the boundaries of stadium stage setups and embraces the infinite possibilities of modern technology. In 1998 we witnessed the PopMart Tour, with its bigger-than-Imax screen, revolving silver lemon and light and graphics show that astounded and thrilled thousands of fans.
Now the quartet, who penned all-time hits such as Beautiful Day, New Year’s Day, With or Without You, and I Will Follow, will present their most ambitious show to date. The stage, which was conceptualised in 2006, will allow the fans to view U2 from every angle, and likewise for the band. It is an incredible four-legged structure of steel, innovative hydraulic systems, and a cylindrical video screen that transforms at different stages of the show. The steel structure is 90 feet tall with the centre pylon reaching 150 feet.
“To have an in-the-round transportable stadium production is something that the touring industry has been trying to figure out for some time. The extra capacity U2 360° gives us means that there are a large number, several thousand in fact, of low priced tickets at every show”, says U2 tour producer/ promoter Arthur Fogel, CEO of Live Nation Global Touring. “With its unique staging configuration, U2 360° has excellent sight-lines”.
But seeing is believing; tickets for what promises to be the show of the decade go on sale on 23 October 2010 through Computicket. Tickets in both cities will start at R161.00, with General Admission floor tickets available at R401.00. Reserved seat tickets are also available, starting at R428.00 in Cape Town and R696.00 in Johannesburg.
