U2 is now officially on the road, and we are giddy

(pic from core77, which I urge you to visit to see more shots of this truly amazing set.)

Some details of U2's 360 Tour, which kicked off in Barcelona last night, and hits C'Ville October 1st:

-  The band opened the show with Breathe, a track from their latest No 1 album No Line On The Horizon and went on to dedicate Angel Of Harlem - originally inspired by Billie Holiday - to the late Michael Jackson.

- The 360° Tour features a round stage positioned on the stadium floor with the band surrounded by their audience, the natural progression of their previous tours. By elevating the sound and lighting equipment, the walls that traditionally obscure performers from their audience are removed. This has also allowed greater capacity and a lower general ticket price.

- Advances in technology and digital communication have allowed long time collaborator Willie Williams to create an overhead expandable cylindrical screen made up of 500,000 pixels.

 - Constructed of stainless steel and aircraft aluminum, the display is made of 888 LED screens, with 500,000 pixels spanning across them, providing concertgoers with clear and visually stunning images. It has a screen area of 3,800 square feet, and weighs approximately 120,000 pounds.

- the set is " a fusion of architecture, stage scenery and extreme technology" stretching upwards to form a 7-story cone around the band, displaying footage directed by the Irish artist Catherine Owens.

You know this show is going to be sickening!  

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