U2 Brings 360° Tour to 2010... and It's Green!

In an age where true rock stars are hard to find, the guys of U2 faithfully deliver the goods. Although they are renowned activists and global citizens, as well, on stage is where Bono and the boys really shine. The 360° Tour of 2009 took two years to develop and was deemed the most elaborate stage production in history... and that was just the first half. The 360° Tour kicks off a set of 50 shows in 2010 when U2 plays Angel Stadium in Anaheim on June 6 and 7.

Over 3 million people attended 44 sold out shows in 2009, making it the top-grossing tour of the year at $311.6 million. The vision was to boost arena capacities by using a mobile, 360-degree staging system. It worked. Very well.

Average attendance at each show was 70,000 and reviews were nothing but glowing. So, fans across the States are already snatching up tickets for the second leg of the extravaganza. Canadian fans, too, will get a taste when U2 hits Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on June 23. Bono and company also plan a stop at Rogers Centre in Toronto on July 3.

To keep the excitement and buzz alive, the band will release an album of remixes called Artificial Horizon for their fan club members in late January. The collection will include Trent Reznor's version of “Vertigo” and David Holmes' redux of “Beautiful Day,” a brilliantly inspiring anthem that R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe has said he wishes he'd written.

Ever the honorable environmental stewards, U2 (along with Live Nation, the tour's producers) have partnered with MusicMatters to set a net zero carbon emissions goal for the 360° Tour. Filtered water stations and rideshare programs are two of the eco initiatives that fans in, say, Chicago can participate in when U2 takes Soldier Field Stadium by storm on July 6.

Composting, battery recycling, and other policies will also be instituted in the massive back-stage production scene that involves 180 trucks and over 400 people. "The crew has embraced a lot of our initiatives and has even been developing ideas of their own they would like to implement," said Lucy August-Perna, MusicMatters touring Greening Manager.

Setting the bar high is a U2 trademark. It's wonderful to see that they continue to do so both musically and environmentally. They are, indeed, rock stars. They are also heroes. Viva U2!