U2's gold in Olympics of rock

THE Rolling Stones may have invented stadium rock, but U2 redefined it in 1992 with their groundbreaking ZooTV tour.
Stepping away from the formulaic trappings of a traditional stadium show, U2's performance incorporated dozens of large video screens, which flashed up images and commentary about pop culture and the influence of mass media.
It was the first of its kind and almost two decades later, although the influence of ZooTV can be seen in almost every pop and rock star's tours, from Lady Gaga to Pink, U2 are still the undisputed leaders in live performances.
In December, they're bringing their new tour, 360, the world's biggest-ever rock show, to Sydney.

"It's like the Beijing Olympics of rock, really," U2's stage designer, Willie Williams, grins. "Clearly, no other band in the world is going to attempt this. I don't think we'll see this level of ambition in a rock production again."

It's easy to get lost in the statistics of 360 - a 57-metre high, four-legged centrepiece called The Claw; a state-of-the-future cylindrical video screen that expands, rises and falls; a full-time crew of 150 to run the show; six jumbo jets to fly it; 55 trucks to cart it, and daily running costs of $US750,000.
It's performed in the round, with moving bridges transporting Bono, bass guitarist Adam Clayton and guitarist The Edge to an outer 360-degree stage.
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr misses out on the changes of venue, but is still an integral part.

"When the four of us are playing on that stage, it's like The Beatles at Shea Stadium," Bono says.
"You really forget about this giant thing over you. We are quite exposed."
Considering the band are widely acknowledged to be the biggest in the world, there are few rock-star trappings backstage. The band mates have modest dressing rooms and regularly pile into one bunker to discuss the show.
"It's a quiet time to focus," The Edge says. "It's nothing exotic. We don't go for that."
Certainly, in Finland, the 360 tour is a family affair. All wives, and most children, are travelling with Bono, The Edge and Mullen.
"It's never going to be easy to be in U2 and deliver as a parent," The Edge says. "But there are moments when U2 comes second - especially when it comes to family."
Despite their phenomenal success, which will no doubt lead to sell-out dates in Australia to match their worldwide sales, Clayton admits, they were not always popular. "U2 never took no for an answer," he says. "We were the worst, crappest band there ever was. But there was nothing else for us to do. We were just four boys from the suburbs of Dublin - an armpit, really. "But we worked really hard, and here we are today."
Somehow finding the time to work on a new album, The Edge says it will be something new for the band again.
"I genuinely feel that we are still learning," he says.
"We are still ambitious and want to take on the big challenges.
"In that way, nothing much has changed over the years.
"But we are too busy trying to write the perfect song, or plan the next show, to ponder what it all means.
"It's still too exciting. And what else would we do?
"We're totally unemployable."

U2 perform at ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, on December 13. Tickets on sale on Friday.
 
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