U2 360° Tour: Committed to Being Environmentally Responsible

All I have to say is, "it’s about time"! Everyone needs to take part in being environmentally responsible. It’s really refreshing to see celebrities with so much money and power making a commitment to bettering our planet. The U2 360° Tour has committed to net zero emissions for their global tour. The producers of the tour, LiveNation, are in the works of producing the largest concert tour in history with an environmentally responsible policy.

The Environmental Advisor is a Minneapolis-based company Music Matters. Music Matters "...is dedicated to advancing sustainability and marketing in the music and entertainment business and working to leverage the power of music". Music Matters is a division of the consulting and marketing company, EFFECT Partners.

Music Matters is working with the production, venues, and U2 fans to reduce the environmental impact of the tour. Music Matters is setting up recycling programs, fans are encouraged to use Brita hydration stations to reduce use of plastic bottles, and the tour is offering fans a rideshare program so attendees can carpool.

Music Matters has also worked with Dave Matthews Band and Jack Johnson to reduce their carbon footprint during tours. I really commend these artists for their efforts. Hopefully bands like U2, Dave Matthews Band, and Jack Johnson will lead the way to a new standard of environmentally responsible touring.

The 2010 U2 360° Tour starts June 6 in Anaheim, Ca where they will play two shows at the Angels Stadium. The tour will begin in the United States and Canada then move on to Frankfurt, Moscow, Athens, Munich, Paris, Seville, and concludes in Rome on October 8, 2010.

Minneapolis will be lucky enough to have U2 at the new TCF Bank Stadium on June 27, 2010. Unfortunately, if you don’t have tickets yet you’ll have to search e-bay because they are SOLD OUT.

-Annie H.

U2 360° Tour: Committed to Being Environmentally Responsible

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Turns 25

For all of you who missed it, this is a must see concert. On November 29^th HBO presented a two day concert in Madison Square Garden in celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This year Jeff Beck and Metallica were inducted. Many legends including Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, U2, Metallica, and even Ozzy Osbourne made an appearance singing “Iron Man” with  Metallica.

This generation of music is before my time, but I still recognize all of these artists as creating masterpieces of their time. All I can say is that I was completely captivated as I watched this:

-Annie H.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Turns 25

20 Best Live Acts of the Decade: 2000-2009

Paste Magazine released what they believe were the best live acts over the past decade. Included is a paragraph with why the magazine chose the artists they did along with videos of live performances.

The top 20 are:

20. TV on the Radio

19. Of Montreal

18. Pixies

17. The Decemberists

16. Ted Leo

15. Wilco

14. Sufjan Stevens

13. The Avett Brothers

12. Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings

11. The Hold Steady

10. Sigur Ros

9. U2

8. Bruce Springsteen

7. Polyphonic Spree

6. My Morning Jacket

5. Janelle Monae

4. Tom Waits

3. Radiohead

2. The Flaming Lips

1. Arcade Fire

I would have to completely agree with Paste Magazine about this list. Although I've only seen 2 out of the 20 acts live, I have listened almost religiously to all of these bands. I can only imagine what it would be like to see Of Montreal, Radiohead, or Sigur Ros live. If you can't see these bands live I would suggest listening to all of them if you haven't already. Everyone likes to listen to new music anyways so enjoy.

-Rachel

20 Best Live Acts of the Decade: 2000-2009

And the biggest mixed message of the year goes to...U2

When I heard U2's plan to perform a free concert in Berlin in front of the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, I thought it was great. After spending a semester abroad in Berlin, I got a feel for the city's unique history. Celebrating with music is the most fitting way to honor the reunification. One of Berlin's distinguishing characteristics is it's music scene. There is literally something for everyone. U2's free show sounded like a great idea and a great opportunity...

Until I woke up this morning and read this:

MTV, Tear Down that Wall

Honestly? No one involved in planning that event stood up and said, "Hey, isn't this kind of the opposite statement we are trying to make here?" When U2 said they were giving a free concert, what they actually meant was they were giving away 10,000free tickets, and only those 10,000 were allowed in. The rest were kept out by a 2 meter barrier that went all the way around the performance area. Another wall surrounding the Brandenburg Gate.

Now, I understand safety concerns and crown control, but if the only solution was to build another wall I would almost prefer the concert not have happened at all rather than screw up the blatantly obvious symbolism that will be the only memorable part of the evening.

-Erin

And the biggest mixed message of the year goes to...U2

Albums I Would PURCHASE if I had the Money

Now I don't judge any of you for downloading free music (hell, I do it on the daily when perusing music blogs), but it is a personal choice that if I want a full album I will go buy it. Not just the MP3s (I don't even own an iPod, I know...pathetic), but the actual physical version you can chew on and even throw out your car window if it's not up to par. Though I'll probably have to wait for my tax returns here is my list of CDs I plan on purchasing when I can...someday.

Brother Ali - "The Truth is Here" EP

Bon Iver - "Blood Band" EP

The Decemberists - "The Hazards of Love"

Jake One - "White Van Music"

Ben Folds - "Stems and Seeds"

Coldplay - "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends"

POS - "Never Better"

U2 - "No Line on the Horizon"

N.A.S.A. - "The Spirit of Apollo"

Grandmaster Flash - "The Bridge"

So what albums are worth your hard earned money?

-Tooth

Albums I Would PURCHASE if I had the Money