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On the Beat: David Menconi on music

News & Observer music critic David Menconi's random (and we do mean random) musings about all things related to music and culture of the "popular" variety.

Raleigh-bound: U2?!

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Following weeks of rumors, U2 dates are leaking out -- and Raleigh appears to be on the schedule. At this point, however, it's not yet official.

Tour dates on the band's Web site only go through Sept. 24 at Giants Stadium. But another listing goes forward with a second leg that includes Raleigh for Oct. 3, with the venue listed as Carter-Finley Stadium. As it happens, Oct. 3 does fall between home NC State Wolfpack dates at Carter-Finley, which has home games scheduled against Pittsburgh on Sept. 26 and Duke on Oct. 10.

"I'm not sure [U2]'s been finalized," NC State athletic department spokeswoman Annabelle Myers said Monday morning. "As of Friday, it was not."

I'm still awaiting a call back from Live Nation, so we'll see.

(Props to trianglemusic for the initial scoop.)

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looks like it fell through

I saw in the new confirmations released today from U2.com that the tickets for Charlottesville and Atlanta and other dates later in October go on sale in a few days, but no Raleigh, so I guess that's it. Is there any way to find out why?? I would think that if Raleigh was going to be confirmed, since it's between the Charlottesville and Atlanta shows and they've been confirmed, it would have been by now too.

Any new news on the Raleigh show ///

David
Saw your article about U2 playing in Raleigh and am wondering if Live Nation has got back to you.. are they playing in Raleigh or anywhere in NC.....Last time they cancelled the POPMART show but they played Charlotte on the following 2 tours..Any new info would be a help
thanks
TK

Any new news on the Raleigh show ///

Still not a peep from Live Nation, but I'm still monitoring. As soon as I know something, it will be in this here blog.

Well, its not like I don't

Well, its not like I don't expect Live Nation to bungle this. Any company that wants to willingly get in bed with Ticketmaster is obviously not in it for any reason than to squeeze out as much money as they can. They could generate a lot of money playing in Raleigh...but the real question is could they bet a better deal from someone else. Its not above these guys to drop the Raleigh carrot out there publically to the fans and then draw it back as a means of pressuring venue owners. I don't buy for a second that putting those North American tour dates out there and then withdrawing them was a mistake. They knew exactly what they were doing.

CONFIRMATION, sorta

The latest Live Nation press release about the tour:

The North American tour will include dates in Atlanta, GA; Charlottesville, VA; Raleigh, NC; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Norman, OK; Phoenix, AZ; Tampa, FL; Washington, DC and Vancouver, BC. Complete Tour and ticketing information to follow.

Will Raleigh mess this up?

Raleigh wants to be a "big" city. They build a huge convention center, support hotels, even invest in restaurants that end up flopping. Wonder why? Events that draw people (marathons, concerts, basketball tournanments) are given the ax or aren't supported. Why would it surprise anyone if this event doesn't happen?? We're building a not so popular reputation. Why wouldn't events go to Greensboro, Charlotte, Richmond or in this case Charlottesville?

Charlottesville eating our lunch?

Many thanks for trying to find out what is going on with this -- I'll look forward to hearing what you find out. 

Just guessing here, but could it be that the band is rethinking the wisdom of doing Washington D.C., Charlottesville VA, Raleigh, and Atlanta, in such tight proximity, and we're drawing the short straw again (those other three cities are all still listed on the "info coming soon" list, Raleigh is the only posted-then-withdrawn date that is NOT mentioned)?

If this is the case, here's the news story: with the new and aggressively marketed sports facilities at UVa, the Triangle now has Charlottesville AND our traditional Charlotte-Greensboro competition for these kinds of shows. I lived near Charlottesville for a couple of years before moving back here last summer... they're getting virtually all the big tours now (e.g. The Police reunion in 2007, Springsteen in 2008 and again this year). I imagine for a lot of big tours, the thinking is "what should we plug in between Washington and Atlanta." Would seem that NC makes more sense, since C-ville is so close to DC anyway, but I guess Northern and Piedmont VA have the population to justify it.  It was kind of funny, though, that at The Police show, some of the merchandise for sale read "Charlottesville, NC" (what's the difference, anyway, right?)

Fingers crossed--I sure hope I'm wrong!

Coran

Coran Capshaw Dave Matthews Band manager, ATO(According To Our) Records(the label that Radiohead is now on I believe) part owner, Music Today part owner, & John Paul Jones arena owner is "in power" in and around Charlottesville and may have something to do with it.

You're probably on to something

I hope you're wrong to, but this sounds like a good explanation. Maybe we'll get them on the second leg.

Kenan Stadium 1983

Well - it's not like they're opening for Todd Rundgren in the rain over in Chapel Hill. (A truly memorable event.)

Please not 1997 again

It was awesome to see Raleigh on u2.com this morning and SO disappointing to have it disappear! I hope we get something closer than Atlanta, DC, and Charlottesville. Hopefully Live Nation will get back to you soon with positive info.

I hope U2 does come to Raleigh...

The "first time" they scheduled a Raleigh date...it never went down
(http://www.u2gigs.com/show430.html)

You're not THAT old, dwcatty

I still remember those days. It was even more difficult for those of us that lived in the Eastern side of I-95. There was no bypass around Knightdale or Rocky Mount back in the day, either.

1997 Again!

I went onto U2's presale website (http://www.u2.com/tour/presale/index) and not surprisingly, they have no mention of Raleigh. Direct from the website: "In September and October, U2 360° Tour will also visit: Atlanta, GA; Charlottesville, VA; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Norman, OK; Phoenix, AZ; Tampa, FL; Washington, DC and Vancouver, BC. Complete Tour and ticketing information to follow."

I guess I'll be off to see them in either Atlanta or DC!!

Remember when that used to be a regular occurrence?

Um...no. I remember schlepping to Greensboro for every major show, through downtown Durham before they built I-40. Man, I must be old.

Wow, a major rock tour

Wow, a major rock tour actually coming to Raleigh. Remember when that used to be a regular occurrence?

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About the blogger

David Menconi has been the News & Observer's music critic since 1991. Before that, he spent five years at the Daily Camera in Boulder, Colo.; and before that, he earned a journalism masters degree from the University of Texas (on top of an English degree from Southwestern University). You can find more of his writing here.

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