http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/conten...9104e933e2c3505

 

 

U2 manager takes ISPs to task

By Ray Bennett

 

Jan 29, 2008

 

CANNES -- Paul McGuinness, longtime manager of rock band U2, has called on Internet service providers to immediately introduce disconnection policies to end illegal music downloads and for governments to make sure they do.

 

In a passionate keynote speech delivered Monday during the International Managers Summit at Midem, McGuinness said it was time for artists to stand up against what he called the "shoddy, careless and downright dishonest way they have been treated in the digital age."

 

He spread the blame between record labels that "through lack of foresight and planning allowed a range of industries to arise that let people steal music"; Silicon Valley companies that create marvelous devices but "don't think of themselves as makers of burglary kits"; and governments who "created a thieves charter" by agreeing that ISPs should not be responsible for what passes along their pipes.

 

"There's a lot of money in the music business but it has stopped coming to the artists," McGuinness said, though he agreed that U2 long ago determined that it "would be pathetic to be great artists but not be great at business."

 

Decrying ISPs that hold up their hands in innocence when music is downloaded via their systems, he offered a comparison.

 

"If you were a magazine advertising stolen cars, handling the money for stolen cars and seeing to the delivery of stolen cars, the police would soon be at your door," he said. "That's no different to an ISP, but they say they can't do anything about it. If you steal a laptop from a store or don't pay for your broadband service, you'll soon be cut off and nicked."

 

To great applause from the audience of music managers, McGuinness insisted that disconnection enforcement would work. "I call on ISPs to do two things. First, protect the music, and second, to make a genuine effort to share the enormous revenues. They should share their ingenuity as well as the money. We must shame them. Their snouts have been at our trough for too long."

 

Later, rock star Peter Gabriel added his support, agreeing that a lot of money is being made out of music by ISPs. He expressed concern, though, about blanket deals.

 

"The trouble with any blanket agreement is that the money doesn't tend to trickle down to the artists," he said at a news conference. "We've all be told in the past about these kinds of deals and we never see it in our accounts. It needs to be not just verbiage. It needs to express itself in money too."

 

Gabriel arrived in Cannes for a banquet honoring him as Midem's 2008 Personality of the Year with a cast on his left leg following a skiing mishap. "I hit a rock," he said, "and I used to think of myself as a rock artist."

 

 

 

:teresa:

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/inde...ndons-o2-arena/

 

 

U2 Considering Residency at London’s O2 Arena?

1/31/08, 10:43 am EST

 

 

U2 are rumored to be considering a record-setting residency at London’s O2 Arena in the fall, when their new Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois-produced album is tentatively scheduled for release. Prince currently owns the venue’s record for longest run of gigs with twenty-one nights in May 2007. The arena also recently housed the Led Zeppelin reunion concert, and U2, who are currently on the road promoting their new concert film U2 3D, have been rumored to play the venue for months. When asked about the band’s intentions, U2’s manager Paul McGuinness said of the O2 Arena, “It’s got great potential for U2 and because it’s under cover you can do a run of shows in the autumn.” Earlier this week, McGuinness called upon governments and ISPs to end illegal downloading. While that certainly won’t happen by the time U2 releases their new album, the O2 residency would help recoup some of those profits lost as the music industry continues to decline.

 

 

http://idolator.com/351721/is-u2-going-to-...ic-group-behind

 

 

Is U2 Going To Leave Universal Music Group Behind?

Maybe, according to Fox rumormonger Roger Friedman. Word is that U2 is one of two outfits currently in negotiations for a deal with Live Nation that would be similar tothe 360-degree payday that Madonna scored last fall. The Bono-led band, which started out its career on Island Records and has put out records in the U.S. on Interscope, went triple-platinum in the States with its 2004 album How To Build An Atomic Bomb; Friedman's tipster is claiming that the band's contract with its label was either fulfilled by Bomb or the recently released remaster of The Joshua Tree.

 

If the Live Nation deal does come to pass, it'll be interesting to see how U2's recording career is handled by the company; they're one of the few bands out there that can rake in the big bucks on tour and still sell a lot of records, although who knows how their album sales will fare in this year's ever-decimated retail landscape. (Madonna still sells records, but I think her recorded-music profile is nowhere near as high as U2's.) This year, according to manager Paul McGunness, U2 will release two albums: the music for the Julie Taymor-directed Spider-Man musical and a traditional rock album. If the deal does come to pass and the rumors of U2 being free from Universal Music Group's clutches are true, questions of who will be responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of Live Nation-distributed albums will have to be answered a lot more quickly than when Madonna signed on, as she still has one album to put out with her soon-to-be-former label Warner Bros.

 

 

:o

http://www.u2france.com/spip.php?article11826

 

 

By Yvonne Tarleton

 

U2 HAVE proven that their charitable acts are not always confined to projects further afield they can be just as generous close to home.

 

The band is in the process of selling a home in Dalkey that Bono, Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton and the Edge bought with their manager Paul McGuinness and a sixth co-owner in 1993 for an employee.

 

Brigid Mooney, had been left homeless after her split with her husband when the band stepped in.

 

Brigid lived in the small cottage on Tubbermore Road, until she died in October at 82 years of age.

 

Originally from Dundrum, Brigid had brought up her seven children while working as a housewife until she reached her 50s, when she returned to work as a book-keeper. She landed a job at Windmill Lane Studios when U2 were still stars in the making.

 

A source close to the late Mrs Mooney told the Sunday Times: Brigid never said anything at all about it, but Paul McGuinness and the band knew what was going on.

 

One day, they came up to her and said they would take care of everything.

 

 

http://www.nme.com/news/u2/34147

 

 

U2's Bono and Damien Hirst team up for art auction

 

 

Stars combine efforts for New York charity event

 

Feb 6, 2008

 

U2's Bono and British artist Damien Hirst have teamed up to help organise an art auction in New York to raise money for the United Nations' HIV relief program in Africa.

 

There will be an auction on February 14 in the Gagosian Gallery in Manhattan, New York City, during which 83 pieces of art will be auctioned off.

 

Damien Hirst has contributed seven of his works to be auctioned at the event, which was conceived by himself and U2's frontman Bono.

 

Hirst’s sculpture, 'Where There's A Will There's A Way', a depiction of a medicine chest with hundreds of metal HIV pills, is expected to raise up to $7 million.

 

 

 

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/story/200...st-auction.html

 

Bono's charity art auction nets $42M

Last Updated: Friday, February 15, 2008 | 12:25 PM ET

CBC News

A contemporary art auction spearheaded by U2 frontman Bono and British artist Damien Hirst drew a star-studded audience Thursday night and raised more than $42 million for programs battling HIV and AIDS.

 

 

Damien Hirst's Where There's a Will, There's a Way, one of his famed pill cabinet installations, was the top lot at Bono's charity auction in New York.

(Scott Gries/Getty)

Organized by auction house Sotheby's and Manhattan's Gagosian Gallery, the so-called (Red) Auction — named for Bono's fundraising effort battling AIDS in Africa — offered up 83 works by artists including Hirst, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Banksy, Tracey Emin, Willem De Kooning and Julian Schnabel.

 

According to Sotheby's, all but one of the evening's lots sold, and the $42.5 million US the works brought in dramatically eclipsed the approximately $29 million US organizers had set as a pre-sale estimate. Proceeds from the auction are earmarked for the United Nations Global Fund and its programs against HIV, AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

 

Speaking in New York Thursday night, Bono dubbed the night "historic" and praised the artists (or their estates) for donating the red-themed works that crossed the block.

 

 

"They're the heroes tonight," said the singer and activist, who also led a celebrity-packed crowd in an a cappella rendition of All You Need is Love.

 

Hirst works fetch top prices

Selling for $7.15 million US, the night's top item was, as expected, Hirst's Where There's a Will, There's a Way — one of his pill cabinet installation pieces that he filled with medications used to treat HIV.

 

Hirst, who donated seven pieces for the auction, had five of the evening's top 10 lots, for which Sotheby's lowered its commission to 10 per cent.

 

The auction house said commission fees collected from Thursday night's auction would be used to fund the cost of the sale, with the remainder also to be donated to the UN Global Fund.

 

Among the famous faces gathered for the sale were actor and longtime modern art collector Dennis Hopper, Jordan's Queen Noor, publishing giant and TV host Martha Stewart, hip hop mogul Russell Simmons, R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, former tennis pro John McEnroe and former model Christy Turlington.

 

With files from the Associated Press

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/inde...ndons-o2-arena/

U2 Considering Residency at London’s O2 Arena?

1/31/08, 10:43 am EST

U2 are rumored to be considering a record-setting residency at London’s O2 Arena in the fall, when their new Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois-produced album is tentatively scheduled for release. Prince currently owns the venue’s record for longest run of gigs with twenty-one nights in May 2007. The arena also recently housed the Led Zeppelin reunion concert, and U2, who are currently on the road promoting their new concert film U2 3D, have been rumored to play the venue for months. When asked about the band’s intentions, U2’s manager Paul McGuinness said of the O2 Arena, “It’s got great potential for U2 and because it’s under cover you can do a run of shows in the autumn.” Earlier this week, McGuinness called upon governments and ISPs to end illegal downloading. While that certainly won’t happen by the time U2 releases their new album, the O2 residency would help recoup some of those profits lost as the music industry continues to decline.

 

 

:o :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: would be brilliant if they played at the O2

 

 

oooh Sparks, I´d be green with envy :o ;)

http://i31.tinypic.com/25q42z7.jpg

 

 

Jenni :P

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

or better yet, THIS is me :

 

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/jagobo/etc_green_whale_nb.jpg

 

:P

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

surely not :o

You haven´t seen my bump lately :naughty:

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/articl...t_id=1003712235

 

U2 Hits The Studio In Dublin

 

February 19, 2008, 10:45

 

U2 has hit the studio in Dublin to continue work on its next studio album with longtime collaborators Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. "We're going to try and break new sonic ground and deliver a masterpiece," Lanois tells Billboard.com. "The sleeves are rolled up. Bono is all charged up with a lyrical angle."

 

As previously reported, U2, Eno and Lanois have spent time working on new material on three prior occasions in France and Morocco, and Lanois confirms the results are prolific.

 

"There's so much material," he says, referring to speculation that the sessions could yield two new albums. "When you get Eno and I and those guys in the room, before lunch there's like eight things."

 

"We've had some exciting beginnings via jam sessions," he continues. "Now we will pick our favorite beginnings and say, 'OK, that's a lovely springboard. Now what are we trying to say?' The springboards are sometimes melodic, sometimes riff-based, but I can assure you they are exciting."

 

There's no date yet for the project, which will be the follow-up to 2004's "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb."

In other U2 news, the group has contributed to a new charity single, "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew," proceeds from which will benefit the cancer-stricken Irish artist of the same name. The track will be available in Ireland only as a download beginning Friday (Feb. 22) and week later on CD.

 

In addition to U2, "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew" features appearances by the Pogues' Shane MacGowan, the Frames' Glen Hansard, Sinead O'Connor, Andrea Corr, Damien Dempsey, Ronan Keating, Chris de Burgh, Gavin Friday and members of the Dubliners.

 

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/34616

 

 

U2, Madonna, Led Zeppelin in Talks for World Peace Gigs

 

Justin Timberlake, Aerosmith, ZZ Top also on the cards

 

Feb 22, 2008

 

World Peace One is in talks with many of the world’s top acts to stage a series of international concerts to bring peace to the world.

 

The shows, which are scheduled to kick off May 17 could feature performances from U2, Madonna, Led Zeppelin and Justin Timberlake, among others.

 

The not-for-profit group is attempting to bring peace through a 10-year campaign via concerts, education and government initiatives, reports , ZZ Top, Lionel Richie, Celine Dion, INXS, Velvet Revolver, , and Timbaland, are among the acts in talks with the organisation, according to the group’s founder Doug Ivanovich.

 

The concerts will kick off May 17 with shows in Beijing, Istanbul, Turkey, London, Johannesburg; and Miami, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia and India, the report says.

 

Concert organisers at World Peace One include former executives from Woodstock and Live Earth and the group are currently building relationships with the world’s top promoters to make the shows happen.

 

 

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: U2 and Kila collaborate on Ronnie Drew tribute

 

17 Jan 2008

 

U2, Simon Carmody and Kila have led a collaboration on a special tribute to Ronnie Drew, which was recorded in Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, over the past few days.

 

 

 

A huge number of high profile artists have pitched in to participate in the recording, which features the cream of Irish rock and folk music, as well as a number of international names. In addition to members of U2 and Kila among those who streamed into Windmill Lane to contribute over the two days of recording were Sinead O'Connor, Christy Moore, Andrea Corr, Shane McGowan, Bob Geldof, Damien Dempsey, Gavin Friday, Jerry Fish, Paul Brady, Paddy Casey, Mick Pyro (of Republic of Loose), Mundy, Chris de Burgh, Ronan Keating, Eleanor Shanley, Mary Black, Declan O'Rourke and Mary Coughlan, as well as The Dubliners and The Chieftains.

 

 

Frames singer Glen Hansard recorded his vocals on a telephone from the Czech Republic. The record was produced by John Reynolds, engineered by Alastair McMillan and the session was filmed by John Carney, the director of Once.

 

 

The song, entitled 'The Ballad of Ronnie Drew', is a collaboration, written by the Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, with Bono, the Edge and the former Golden Horde singer and songwriter Simon Carmody. A friend and collaborator of Bono's, Carmody is central to the story of how the projectcame together.

 

 

"Simon seemed to think that Robert Hunter was a big fan of Ronnie," Bono told Hot Press. "Simon suggested that we get Robert involved in writing the song."

 

 

Hunter's lyrics provided the launching pad and the song was completed and demoed by members of U2, with Bono singing and Edge playing a Trez, a Cuban instrument given to him as a Christmas present by his wife Morleigh, on the demo, to achieve the appropriate folk flavour

 

 

Ronnie Drew is currently battling with cancer, which was the inspiration for – and inevitably gives added urgency to – what is a history-making project. "When you're fighting cancer you mood is critical," Bono says "We want Ronnie to know how much he is respected and loved."

 

 

As the night turned into morning on the second day of recording, with most of the musicians departed, producer John Reynolds laid down a couple of mixes for the remainder of the gathering to listen to. Bono, Andrea Corr, Moya Brennan and Simon Carmody all suggested modifications and changes.

 

 

 

As it turns out. 'The Ballad of Ronnie Drew' is a fitting tribute to the performer who first became famous with The Dubliners, and was the singer on their 60s chart hit 'Seven Drunken Nights' among other classic recordings.

 

 

"It is an astonishing record," Hot Press editor Niall Stokes revealed. "The song is powerful and poetic, with a number of brilliantly crafted standout lines. But with Bono, Shane McGowan, Christy Moore and Damien Dempsey all taking verses, the performances are amazing. And Sinead, Andrea and Moya are wonderful on the chorus. It's a certain Number 1."

 

 

"It was a real privilege to be part of it," Moya Brennan said. "The atmosphere in the room was amazing."

 

 

Andrea Corr was equally enthusiastic. "I don't want to go home," she said. "It is such an amazingly beautiful song and such a wonderful idea. It is the kind of occasion that you'll remember all your life. It is lovely to have been part of it."

 

 

"Everyone has been brilliant," Simon Carmody said, "so generous and giving with their time and delighted to do it. It's been great fun."

 

 

For the full story, see the latest issue of Hot Press.

 

 

http://i26.tinypic.com/205lki.jpg

 

 

The Hot Press Newsdesk

 

This is on live Irish TV right now with U2 / Andrea Corr/ the Dubliners/Shane McGowan/Sinead O'Connor/& many more...... :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

 

 

This is just fantastic........................ :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: the song will be available on DVD in the next few weeks....& CD next Friday...the money will go to Irish Cancer research.....

Edited February 22, 200817 yr by Scorpio

Amazing was'nt it Scorpia :wub: I am definatly downloading it tommorrow. Can't find it on limewirse so I'll have to pay for it, but it's for cancer so I don't mind. :P I'll get the CD and DVD when they come out.