Bits & Bytes

A collection of the latest U2 news and announcements posted by our staff.

U2 Set List: Berlin, Nov. 13, 2018

The Experience + Innocence Tour is over. The last show in Berlin put an end to the cycle of the Songs Of Innocence and Songs Of Experience albums. "People came from all over the world, these crazy U2 fans," Bono said.

This gig was the one rescheduled after Bono lost his voice on Aug. 31, so it had an extra portion of emotion. "Last time we stood here I could not sing that song, and you sang it for us. Thank you. Thank you for coming back," Bono said at the end of "Beautiful Day."

The show was recorded for a future release. There were lots of cameras in the arena, and the band rehearsed the night before. The set list included "Gloria" and "Dirty Day."

Brian Eno was present at the show. Bono thanked him for his work during the recording of Achtung Baby in Berlin.

"MacPhisto is disappearing for a while," Bono said during "Acrobat." "Remember Berlin, whenever you see a journalist being crushed or children being separated from their parents, whenever the lost or the lonely are washed up on borders that are closed...you’ll find me." And at the end, he mentioned several politicians: "Where you see those many names, remember this, there's just one face attached to it — it's my face."

In conversation with Ali, Bono mentioned his father: "In the hotel room I looked in the mirror and saw his face, my father's face. He was a showman, too. He loved you. And I finally understand that he loved me."

Before the last song, Bono said: "We've been on the road for quite some time, just going on 40 years, and this last four years have been really something very special for us. We're going away now." "13 (There Is A Light)" was dedicated to Mark Fisher, who designed U2’s tours.

See the full Berlin set list.

U2 Set List: Dublin, Nov. 9, 2018

The third show in U2's hometown was very special. After a few weeks of rehearsal, "Dirty Day" finally made its tour debut in Dublin. The band played this song only ten times, all during the ZOO TV tour, most recently on December 10, 1993, in Tokyo. "Dirty Day" was added to the set list between "Beautiful Day" and "Zoo Station," with new visuals on the screen showing images of the band members when they were young and then adults (innocence to experience), and also of their fathers. Bono talked about growing up in the Troubles and finding their identity. See a short video here.

See the full Dublin 3 set list. If you were at the show, follow the link to share your review and/or photos.

Tomorrow is the final show in Dublin.

U2 Set List: Dublin, Nov. 6, 2018

"Blessed is Dublin because it reimagines itself every day." Second show at home, but no surprises in the set list tonight. "All Because Of You" replaced "Gloria" and it was dedicated to fans who spent the day in the rain. 

During "I Will Follow," Bono said: "This is where we live. Tonight this is not work, it’s pure joy." He also told a story about Edge trying to convince Adam to be U2’s manager when the band started because he was so persuasive that he could avoid paying the bus, offering a payment by check.

MacPhisto talked again about the U.S. elections. "Me and Donald … that close! The Big Mac is a special offer to American people with white supreme sauce. Make America Hate Again."

Before "Summer Of Love," Bono called Edge "the most dangerous man. Edge and his brother Dick just wanted to blow up the world and the guitar became his weapon."

Bono shared his love for Ireland during "One," saying he’s proud of all parties. "Very proud of our country. We’re a young nation. The young nation is grown up."

See full Dublin 2 set list.

U2 Set List: Dublin, Nov. 5, 2018

U2 are back home for four shows in Dublin at 3Arena. Expectations are high for the shows in Ireland because fans know they will be very special. "Dirty Day" was rehearsed for several days, and tonight the song appeared in the set list, but the band didn’t play it.

The stage had a different configuration because of 3Arena’s layout. The e-stage was placed in the middle of the screen because the arena is like a theater. And there were no C-stages for Adam and Edge during "Pride."

Bono talked about the elections in the USA: "Let them hear us across the Atlantic. We used to look to them, but now they look to us. We wish for America better things than some Americans seem to wish for themselves."

MacPhisto mentioned the president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, who was at the show. Also, "Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way" was dedicated to him. Higgins posted a photo with the band backstage (see here).

At the end of the night, the song "13 (There Is A Light)" was dedicated to Dennis Sheehan’s family; today would have been his birthday.

See full Dublin 1 set list.

U2's 'Pride' Used In New Promo For Amazon's 'The Man In The High Castle'

U2's 1984 hit, "Pride" is being used in a trailer promoting the third season of Amazon Prime's hit show, The Man In The High Castle. It's not actually U2's recording of the song, but a new cover from a European solo singer named Lxandra. You can watch it below.

What's interesting is that the trailer begins by mentioning that this is the first time U2's ever allowed "Pride" to be used in this way:

For the first time ever, U2 has given permission for their hit "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" to be reimagined and recorded for film and TV.

Lxandra's version of "Pride" is also available for purchase or streaming via Amazon Prime Music.

I've only seen the first two episodes of season three, so I don't know if the song is used in the show itself, or just in this promo trailer. (My wife has finished season three and said she doesn't remember hearing "Pride" at any point.) The trailer connects the song's use of resistance -- i.e., "one man he resist" -- to the efforts of the resistance group in the show.

LISTEN: @U2 Podcast #89 - The Sorry, Not Sorry Tour

@U2 staffer Jill is back from seeing a pair of E+I tour shows in Europe, and joins Chris and myself to chat about all the changes from the shows she/we saw in North America. We also talk about some of the recent non-tour U2 news and more.

If you've subscribed to the podcast via iTunes or your favorite RSS reader, you'll get the download automatically. You can listen below or on Goodstuff.fm:

@U2 Podcast #89 - The Sorry, Not Sorry Tour

We have a couple hashtags you can use to contribute to the podcast going forward:

• #askatu2 — if you have a response to something you hear on the podcast, or just want to ask a question or suggest future topics
• #atu2podcast — send a photo of yourself listening to the podcast!

Thanks for listening.