Glastonbury a success without U2

This year’s Glastonbury Festival was a huge success, although headline act U2 was forced to pull out as headliner when front-man Bono injured his back last month. The festival celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2010, and although U2 did not appear as a group, band guitarist The Edge made a short appearance on stage with Muse on Saturday.

According to Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis, he anticipates U2 will play at the festival at some point in the future, as The Edge’s experience with Muse Saturday provided him with a taste of playing on the Pyramid Stage. He went on to add during his interview with BBC News that he is sure the band is keen to playing when it suits them, and that festival-goers will be very pleased to be able to see U2 perform live.

Mr Eavis said this year’s festival, which he holds annually on his dairy farm in Somerset, was one of the best in its 40-year history. He went on to say that although he has three headliners in stored for next year’s Glastonbury Festival, at the moment he will keep the names secret, although he did hint that talks were ongoing with U2 to make a return.

While the vast majority of festival-goers enjoyed the music throughout the weekend without problems, high temperatures were a concern with event officials, who announced that over 3,000 festival-goers treated for dehydration and sunburn. Crime was down from last year at the event, with 345 offences reported in 2010, compared to 363 last year.

U2: U2's Edge rocks Glastonbury with Muse

U2 global rockers may have missed out on their opportunity to headline at Glastonbury, thanks to Bono's injured back, but guitarist the Edge did make it to Britain's premier music festival, appearing with indie band Muse on Saturday night. Muse wooed the delighted audience with a dramatic light show as well as a rendition of U2's hit "Where the Streets Have No Name," which became a massive singalong for the thousands gathered around Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage. Earlier, headliners Gorrilaz -- who stepped in at the last minute when U2 pulled out -- disappointed crowds with their dystopian opening set, leaving many milling away from the scene before the set was over despite the presence of such luminaries as Snoop Dogg, Sean Ryder and Lou Reed. Glastonbury celebrated its 40th anniversary as music fans bathed in sunlight and soaring temperatures. The event was a far cry from the human mudbath it has often proved to be in years past. This festival, which played host to the likes of Shakira, Scissor Sisters and Radiohead, also erected screens so that the audience could watch England's 4-1 defeat at the hands of Germany, before a final playout from Stevie Wonder.

U2 tour cancellation could cost $100 million

The cancellation of U2's upcoming tour dates following Bono's emergency back surgery last month could cost the band (or at least their insurers) $100 million.

As previously reported, Bono was training for the tour when a bout of "sudden onset disease" rendered him temporarily paralysed. Although surgery to remedy this and prevent further paralysis was successful, the singer must now go through a period of rehabilitation. Amongst the dates cancelled was U2's Glastonbury headline slot, which has now been filled by Gorillaz.

U2's manager Paul McGuinness told: The Sun, "If we play or not, touring still costs us £500,000 a day".

Another source added: "Bono and the band are covered by insurance but the cost of overheads and missed revenue could easily reach $100 million by the time he's fit enough to tour again".

Rescheduled tour dates are expected to be announced shortly.

The Band’s Financial Controller to U2’s Adam Clayton Sues

Well, the hits just keep on coming for hidden Irish rock act U2 – it seems like pretending to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders isn’t always enough to deflect bad luck. In the wake of a massive tour postponement due to frontman Bono’s emergency back surgery, Spinner reported today that U2 bassist Adam Clayton is suing the band’s financial controller, Gaby Smyth, for alleged negligence.
Smyth “controls the band’s money and knows the intricacies of the group’s investments and holdings,” and, along with “two other accountants in his firm” were named in legal papers filed in Dublin’s High Court. While the accusations have not been made public, Spinner reports that “the case may have its roots in money management issues that surfaced during Clayton’s current High Court case against Carol Hawkins, the bassist’s former housekeeper, who allegedly defrauded him of up to €1.8million.”
“…the legal war just might rip the biggest band in the world apart, as the notion of the bassist taking on Smyth in court threatens to expose every financial detail of the band and its related companies.
“Smyth was responsible for moving the band’s publishing company to Holland in 2007 in a move that save the band millions on royalties it would have otherwise paid under Irish tax law. That decision in Ireland led to heavy criticism of Bono, who took earnings out of his homeland while encouraging the country to aid in anti-poverty initiatives.”
In a related story, Irish scientists are now hard at work, teaming up with various groups of musicologists, designers, and physicists from all over the world, in the hopes of constructing the world’s most miniscule and tiny violin for which the Irish people can play for the band later this year. It’s moment of hope and unity for the scientific nations across the world; kind of like that movie Contact, but, you know, not awful.

U2 producer Daniel Lanois seriously injured in motorcycle crash

Daniel Lanois, a musician and producer whose credits include several U2 Tickets albums as well as releases by Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Peter Gabriel and Emmylou Harris reportedly is in intensive care in a Los Angeles hospital this week for injuries sustained in a weekend motorcycle accident.

According to published reports, the accident occurred Saturday (6/5) in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles, where Lanois lives. Various news outlets quoted a press statement saying, "Lanois suffered multiple injuries but is expected to be released from intensive care soon. Due to the severity of the injuries, Lanois has canceled all upcoming tour dates and promotional activity and will be recuperating for the next two months."

Lanois' current musical project, Black Dub, had been set to launch a European tour, preceded by a kick-off date at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Early Saturday morning, prior to the accident, Lanois tweeted that he was headed into town for tour rehearsals. "Sweeping up in LA. Headed to the canoe for Black Dub rehearsals soonish."

Daniel Lanois, a musician and producer whose credits include several U2 Tickets albums as well as releases by Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Peter Gabriel and Emmylou Harris reportedly is in intensive care in a Los Angeles hospital this week for injuries sustained in a weekend motorcycle accident.According to published reports, the accident occurred Saturday (6/5) in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles, where Lanois lives. Various news outlets quoted a press statement saying, "Lanois suffered multiple injuries but is expected to be released from intensive care soon. Due to the severity of the injuries, Lanois has canceled all upcoming tour dates and promotional activity and will be recuperating for the next two months."Lanois' current musical project, Black Dub, had been set to launch a European tour, preceded by a kick-off date at the Montreal Jazz Festival.Early Saturday morning, prior to the accident, Lanois tweeted that he was headed into town for tour rehearsals. "Sweeping up in LA. Headed to the canoe for Black Dub rehearsals soonish."