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U2 Launch Promotional Blitz as “No Line on the Horizon” Hits Stores

3/2/09, 12:38 pm EST

Photo: Scarff/Getty

With their new album out tomorrow, U2’s promotional blitz for their five-star No Line on the Horizon begins tonight as the band performs the first of five consecutive gigs on The Late Show with David Letterman. After the long struggle of recording Horizon, U2’s promo appearances are pure fun, the Edge tells Rolling Stone. “In some ways, it’s a relief from the intensity of trying to finish the album,” he said. “It’s a holiday.”

The band is expected to wrap up their Letterman residency with a not-so-secret show at New York’s Fordham University on Friday, March 6th. Rumor of U2 coming to campus began when professors at the Bronx university were told to cancel their morning classes for security reasons. Don’t get too excited U2 fans: WFUV reports that you’ll need a student ID to get in. (And no worries, we previewed U2’s upcoming tour last week — stay tuned to Rolling Stone for much more on the band in the next issue, on newsstands this week!) Earlier Friday, the band will also appear on Good Morning America.

There’s also talk on the U2.com message board that the band has planned a secret show in Boston. The band does have a history of bustinhg out small, gonzo shows to coincide with the release of a new album: remember their brief concert under the Brooklyn Bridge in the days leading up to How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb?

The group recently wrapped up their buzz-building trip in the U.K., playing both a BBC gig and a concert atop a London rooftop. Bono made some headlines when he told BBC Radio that Coldplay’s Chris Martin is comparable to Paul McCartney as a melodist, but “he’s a wanker” and ” he’s a dysfunctional character and a cretin.” Evidently the Brits didn’t get the singer’s Irish humor: Bono went on to apologize and tell the radio audience, “I was just joking entirely.”

Related Stories:

U2’s Bono Previews Innovative “No Line on the Horizon” Tour
Label Leak to Blame for Early Arrival of U2’s “No Line on the Horizon”
Album Review: U2’s No Line on the Horizon


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Comments

Anonymous | 3/2/2009, 4:48 pm EST

I am SO excited for U2s new album to come out! They are an amazing band, their sound is completely unique and they don’t conform to anyone else’s standards. I think they are one of the best bands out there and can’t wait to see them on tour this summer!

Wait | 3/2/2009, 4:56 pm EST

I’m glad to see someone can leave a comment!

Steel Dragon | 3/2/2009, 6:23 pm EST

OK, I’ve been a fan of U2 since the first album and have seen them at least 15 times live. Honestly, I’ve heard the new album and do not agree with it being 5 stars. This is the first album of U2 (yes I loved Pop) that I can honestly say that I could not even enjoy it from start to finish. I understand they are experimenting, but just did not get into it. Let the bashing commence. Keep in mind I’m a diehard U2 fan, but just couldn’t get into this.

kj | 3/2/2009, 6:58 pm EST

go back to your country and leave us alone.

Eightball | 3/2/2009, 6:59 pm EST

I have to partially agree with Dragon. It is good, but it leaves a bit to be desired. They set the bar too high for themselves i think

Anonymous | 3/2/2009, 9:07 pm EST

I’m a diehard fan too…

To me, Pop was their last truly great album.

I think All That You Can’t Leave Behind, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, and the current album, are all patchy affairs compared to earlier body of work.

That being said, I still love about half the songs on the new album. (I found the last two albums to be half great/half filler, as well.)

A reader | 3/2/2009, 9:48 pm EST

why no mention of the controversy over their tax troubles?

come on. this is going to have an impact on their tour.

you guys are drinking kool aid in your mansion on the hill.

DrZ | 3/2/2009, 10:43 pm EST

I agree with the notion that U2 has set the bar too high to reach anymore. It’s gotten to be soooo long ago now, but that bar was set even before they took the stage for Live-Aid. Think about it.Joshua Tree was a huge success but also a total sellout. After Unforgettable Fire, only Auchtung Baby was TRULY great.Zooropa and Pop each have moments,and IMO the last two records did have Beautiful Day and Vertigo which are killer tunes but both of those albums blow.

Annoymous | 3/3/2009, 4:29 am EST

Bono didn’t apologise for what he said about chris martin but the language he used, in britain wanker is considered a much more offensive swear word and this was said on daytime radio

Dan | 3/3/2009, 6:32 pm EST

Considering how much heavy promotion U2 is doing, I can smell a little bit of desperation on the band`s part to stay on top ,especially playing 5 straight nights on Letterman and playing Good Morning America.Bono wants U2 to be the biggest band in the world, instead of best band in the world.I`m sure their new CD will automatically hit #1 on the charts this week with all their hard core fans buying it immediately.The question is how many weeks will it stay at #1,before it starts falling.It`s also interesting to hear U2 fan`s reviews of this CD,who question its 5 star rating.

Bukowski Thompson | 3/3/2009, 6:57 pm EST

I’m a U2 fan… and this album is a sigh of relief. It is not a bull sh– album. Can’t wait for the tour. An idea from a extreme U2 fan of where this album rates: 1 being their best album which is, Achtung Baby, 2. Joshua tree,
3. Unforgettable Fire 4. Rattle and Hum 5. No Line On the Horizon 6. POP, 7. Zoopra, 8. October,
10. ATYCLB 11. WAR 12. Boy

They’re back on the right track… In my opinion.

Gurjit | 3/3/2009, 7:43 pm EST

This is a great album. I’ve had it for a few weeks now and the songs I wasn’t too sure about have grown on me. This deserves the hype.

Bip | 3/3/2009, 7:53 pm EST

The fact that you put October near last and Boy very last proves you are retarded.

thompson bukowski | 3/3/2009, 11:38 pm EST

I’m just being honest. Go read your poems in the corner at starbucks and hope people think you are cool. I bet you haven’t even listened to all of the albums douche bag. I love those (Boy, and War) albums, but to me the albums I have listed before it are better. F… off. The million dollar hotel sndtrk and passengers are also better than boy and war.

Bip | 3/4/2009, 12:04 am EST

I NEVER mentioned WAR fuckweed!

thompson bukowski | 3/4/2009, 12:43 am EST

eat sh-t bip… you’re a dick.

jennifer from toronto | 3/7/2009, 12:41 pm EST

i bought the new album and its great!! i love zooropia and pop but this completley different.
I love the song MAGNIFICENT totally is great and edges guitar riffs are splendid.I saw them on lettermen allweek fantasic ive never seen lettermen so excited about a band before.
i cant wait for their tour
love ya bonox:)

S.m. | 5/6/2009, 7:01 pm EST

I’m super excited to See There tour this YEAR! :]
All you haters are lame!
U2 Rocks:D

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