Bits & Bytes

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

Bono Video Message Honors Anniversary of 1997 U2 Sarajevo Concert

A newly released video message from Bono and U2 commemorates the 20-year anniversary of the U2 concert in Sarajevo on Sept. 23, 1997. In the video, which includes the band's performance of "Miss Sarajevo" in Phoenix on Sept. 19, 2017, Bono talks about how the song written for the documentary "Miss Sarajevo" (produced by Bono, and filmed and directed by Bill Carter, who was in the audience in Phoenix), is still timely: 

"On this tour, we're retitling it 'Miss Syria,' because this idea of heroic resistance to oppression ... the everyday dignity of a sense of humor, or refusing to become like the animals that are attacking you ... is still relevant to what's going on in the world today."

U2 set list: Phoenix, September 19, 2017

The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 returned Tuesday night to the city where the original Joshua Tree tour began and ended 30 years ago: Phoenix, Arizona. Tonight's show wasn't filled with anywhere near the drama of the tour opener 30 years ago, nor was U2 there to film a movie like they did when the tour ended back in 1987.

But one big change in the setlist was the return of "Miss Sarajevo" as the opening song of the encore -- the first time it's been played during the entire 3rd leg of this tour. Why? Turns out that Bill Carter, the man who made the original Miss Sarajevo documentary in the mid 1990s after connecting with U2 for live satellite video segments from Sarajevo during the Zoo TV tour, was at the show tonight. So consider "Miss Sarajevo"'s return a tip of the cap to him.

Here's the full Phoenix setlist. If you were at the show, please share your photos and a review with other fans.

Next up for U2? The final U.S. show of the tour -- Friday night in San Diego.

Bono quotes Martin Luther King after St. Louis protests

Bono issued a statement on U2’s instagram about St. Louis situation.

Deeply saddened at what has happened in St. Louis and having to cancel our show tonight….I found myself reading Dr. King’s speech from the National Cathedral and asking myself is this 1968 or 2017? - Bono

"Human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability….we are coming to ask America to be true to the huge promissory note that it signed years ago. And we are coming to engage in dramatic nonviolent action, to call attention to the gulf between promise and fulfillment; to make the invisible visible."

The band cancelled the show scheduled for tonight due to safety concerns.

U2 Cancels Tonight's Concert In St. Louis Amid Safety Concerns

U2 and Live Nation issued a statement via U2.com notifying ticket holders for tonight's show in St. Louis that the show is cancelled. The statement reads:

Live Nation and U2 regrettably announce their St. Louis show scheduled for tonight, September 16, 2017 has been cancelled. 

"We have been informed by the St. Louis Police Department that they are not in a position to provide the standard protection for our audience as would be expected for an event of this size. We have also been informed that local crowd security personnel would not be at full capacity. In light of this information, we cannot in good conscience risk our fans’ safety by proceeding with tonight’s concert. As much as we regret having to cancel, we feel it is the only acceptable course of action in the current environment." - Live Nation and U2

Fans who purchased tickets online will receive a refund on the credit card tickets were ordered on.  Refunds for non-internet purchases will be available starting Monday at 10am at point of purchase.

The cancellation comes amid protests by St. Louis residents regarding the acquittal on Friday of a police officer charged in the shooting death of a black man after a car chase last year. Protests turned violent overnight, and more protests are scheduled for today.

U2 to receive Golden Music Award in Spain

Los40 Music Awards has announced that U2 will receive the Golden Music Award, a lifetime achievement honor for the band.

The award will be given by Los40, a radio station chain created in Spain that also broadcasts in many Latin American countries.

The Los40 Music Awards will take place in Madrid on Nov. 10. For now, it’s not confirmed if the band will be present at the event to accept the award and/or to perform.

U2 was also nominated at the category Tour of the Year with The Joshua Tree 2017.

Thanks to U2 Valencia.

Bono to Receive Bush Center Forum on Leadership Award

The George W. Bush Presidential Center announced today that Bono will receive the inaugural George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership.

Our favorite nonpartisan frontman will be honored at the first-ever Forum on Leadership, hosted by former Republican President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, April 18-20, 2018, at the Bush Center in Dallas, Texas. 

Bono is being honored for his humanitarian work.

“Bono’s passion for ending poverty and disease is the real deal," President Bush said in a statement. "He uses his celebrity not for personal gain, but to improve and save lives. I am thankful for his big heart and for his leadership, and I am proud that he will be the first recipient of the Medal for Distinguished Leadership.” 

The Forum on Leadership is open to invited attendees only.