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Updated: 13.27
U2 KICKED OFF their iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver last night.
Some people had queued since Monday to see the opening night of the band’s first tour in four years.
Fans were quite excited, particularly this lover of adjectives:
https://vine.co/v/eKpgDhg2QTJ
Not everyone had a great seat though:
It was all going well until the Edge fell off the stage.
Don’t worry – he was soon back on his feet, but Michael had a warning for the rest of the band:
After the show, the Edge let everyone know he’s okay (with an inevitable pun) – but does have some serious bruises:
u2 / Instagram
Meanwhile, an old friend showed up…
The 70-date tour is almost sold out, but some tickets are still available for the band’s other shows at the Rogers Arena. The next gigs are in California and Arizona.
Fans in Ireland may experience a slightly different show, with Bono recently telling the Irish Times there isn’t a suitable venue here to stage the concert in its present form.
Meanwhile, the band has hit back at criticism they get for moving some of their business to the Netherlands for tax purposes.
In an interview with Sky News, Bono insisted the band pays “a fortune” in tax.
“Because you’re good at philanthropy and because I am an activist people think you should be stupid in business and I don’t run with that,” he said.
The Edge added: “So much of our business is outside of Ireland so it is ridiculous to make a big deal out of it.”
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I’ve seen U2 live on two occasions in Ireland. A great live band. Good luck to them on their tour.
So the Edge fell over the edge!!
Obviously a Yes fan.
…said EVERYONE who read this story today, plus the Edge in the article itself. You’re like the Woody Allen of this comment section.
Well done lads….. Welcome back and fornicate the begrudgers!
If they were in my back garden id close the curtains!
No you wouldn’t
LIfe is better when you don’t automatically default to cynicism and negativity.
That’d keep the music out alright!
Curtains are so 60s…..
I’d throw eggs at them and rob the edges hat so he can just admit to being bald
Must be some curtains to keep the sound out, on the other hand they probably won’t play in your back yard cause rumour has it they don’t particularly like you either
Maybe he just wears the hat cause he feels cold . If you want we can just make a collection and but you one
What does “but you one” mean?
They learned that stunt from madonna. And I’d like to stick that finger up his own as**ho**.
Cue the begrudgers….
Can people not like the band without being begrudgers?
Haven’t missed a U2 tour in Ireland in over 20 years. Vancouver looks amazing. Certainly hope we get to see them here in December.
Bono is reported to have said people should be paying huge amounts in tax, however just because he is an activist doesn’t mean he can’t be cleaver in business obviously in relation to his huge fortune. If only he was taxed every time he opens his mouth,our problems would be over.
Apple pay all their taxes in Cork…
They pay taxes in other countries too. Also they may be made to pay back taxes to Ireland by the EU. But our government is doing it’s very best to make sure that doesn’t happen
Brilliant!
Hope they add When Love comes to town to the set tonight for BB King
Are you going to it?
great set list, they put on an amazing live show too.
I wouldn’t cross the road to see them being honest, but each to their own!
Why read the article
Slow news day Con
But made the effort to check out the article and comment. Nice one!
No point having a one sided comments section Fintan.
Amazing footage of the concert out so far.. cant wait till O2 London..
Bono says he pays a fortune in tax but that’s cause he earns a Fk### fortune ! He has to pay the same tax rate as the rest of us .. I can’t stand the chap !!
Actually, the more you earn the higher your marginal tax rate is…
Can.t stand them especially bono who you think was a saint with all his preaching about poverty in the world and the same fella does.not pay any tax here
ignorance and/or lies……..
Bono, as well as the other 3 members are resident in Ireland. So of course they pay income tax. No doubt millions in income tax, particularly after a tour like this.
Bono effectively works for a company called U2. That company also pay corporation tax here in Ireland, but a portion of their business is domiciled in the Netherlands to minimise corporation tax.
That company pay Bono and the others a salary/dividend/whatever and so they are obligated by law, as residents of this country to pay tax here.
But I suppose lets not let facts get in the way of a good Bono bash!
Does the company that you work for Gerard pay all their corporation tax here? If not then I suppose going by your logic, that you are a tax dodger!!
Jesus, all this talk of U2 & their taxes…who gives a crap, honestly?
Saint Bono’s pockets much be a bit light, que a new tour
I am thinking of going over to see them play in the Garden in July….anyone wanna come?
Dreadful band, terrible music, but hey tbeir irish so i say that
I don’t like U2 either.
It’s nothing personal, I just don’t like their music.
Why do some U2 fans find it so offensive to be Irish and say that?
Everyone’s entitled to an opinion.
Looking at the set list if it wasn’t for some of their older songs they would be in big trouble. Their new stuff is crap.
U2 has lost their edge!
As noonan would say Get off the stage !
To be honest I have never liked U2 and I wouldn’t even call them musicians, they are not a patch on the Rolling Stones, ELO or Status Quo for that matter….
Status Quo? Yeah right!!!
Isnt time for your nap grandpa?
Unbelievable nonsense of a comment. Wouldn’t even call them musicians ?
Exactly what criteria do they not meet in your definition of musician may I ask ?
What did Bono say when The Edge fell of the stage ?
Answer…….NOT U2..
That’s the best pun on it ive read today
Whatever he was looking for must have been good for him to take a nose dive off the stage!
he still hasn’t found what he’s looking for, allegedly…
So paying tax in the country you live in (and trade off of) is,”bad business “I f everyone in Ireland took this view we’d be in as bad shape as bonopoxes beloved Africa.What hypocrisy. Himself and DOB (Ireland’s tapeworm) are cut from the same cloth …
I think you need to learn a little more about this situation before you make ill informed comments. The individuals in U2 live in Ireland and pay taxes here. (Unlike DOB). They moved one of their businesses to the Netherlands to minimise tax – in the same was that the U.S. and other companies come to Ireland to minimise taxes (and employs thousands of people)
Knew that and my point still stands.They funnel earnings through Holland to shave a few points off the tax bill and just because apple etc. do the same thing ( which is being contested ) doesn’t mean its not pure greed.Its like saying people use the caymans to hide money so everyone should .and bono preaching to Irish taxpayers to increase aid (never calls for equality in Ireland or fairer corporate tax) while engaging in this financial wizadry is still hypocrisy…
Whatever he was looking for must have been good for him to take a nose dive off the stage!
Its amazing what U2 will do for a bit of publicity these days
with the Edge falling off the edge.( stage ) its reminiscent of Madonna
doing her bit recently,….. so its left to the other two members of the
showband to something to keep the show on the road……………
Oh yes it was a publicity stunt!….good man.
So that’s why they call him The Edge.
Has it only been four years. Time flies when you are having fun.
I remember being at a U2 concert in the states,and I witnessed a back up dancer fall off stage and,break her leg sure she got to close to the edge. :)
The Edge just edged it over the edge there.
Ba-dum-tish!
:-)
Is it just me or is that set list lacking a bit ?
Bad and one are 2 standouts missing. When have they last performed live without playing one ?
This ‘news’ story?.
have your say