Happy New Year!!!

An amazing U2 year has come to an end. The hugest, most succesful rock tour reached most corners of the world and millions of people vibrate at the sound of the Irish rock legend. 

And now it´s time to rest and celebrate. In the personal sphere I am more than pleased to have been able to see the band that has rocked my world for more than 25 years live in three opportunities and I am proud to say that I joined other fellow ONErs in the local  campaign to make people aware of what this great NGO is capable of doing in the field of ending extreme poverty and fighting against AIDs globally . You know, "together as ONE we can make the difference". 

Waiting for the New Year´s Day listening to U2 has become a ritual, at least my personal one, and surely my choice is (what else?) New Year´s Day , this time I have chosen the version they played at Estadio Unico, La Plata (my hometown), Argentina, on April 2nd (thanks to YouTube user terrosittich).I still recall the goosebumps, the adrenaline rush, the emotion when I heard those first bass riffs and my inner wish coming true, I had dreamed of listening to that song live for years...

Thanks for reading this blog, it´s been a pleasure to see that I share my passion for U2 with thousands of yous... This blog started as a hobby,  two friends united by a common passion (even when they both live in opposite corners of the world) a desire to communicate what the band of our lives was doing and  celebrate what they embody (at least for us): love, friendship, commitment, wish for something better, and above dreaming out loud!!!

Happy New Year!!! May 2012 bring us a new U2 album and  whatever our fave band choose to share with us; but above all  (and more than ever) Peace and Love around the world...

Bono joins Colin Farrell's brother for double celebration party

Bono got into the festive spirit this week with a night on the town alongside Colin Farrell's brother.

After his exploits at the Leopardstown Races on St Stephen's Day, Bono continued partying in Dublin city centre.

The singer joined forces with Eamon Farrell who was celebrating his 43rd birthday at Lillie's Bordello.

Last year, Hollywood A-lister Colin was the designated driver, but there was no sign of the actor this time around.

"Bono showed up a few hours into the party and stayed there until the early hours of the morning. He is friends with the Farrells, he knows Colin really well and has met Eamon a couple of times. He was chatting away to Eamon all night and was happy to socialise with everyone there.

hnews@herald.ie

Love Rescue Me

Amazing story written by Joshua Brown in The Faster Times.

The Omagh Community Youth Choir 

"I’m going to tell you an amazing story today.  It’s a story about art and collaboration, a story about youth and innocence, influence and homage.  It spans decades and takes place around the world.

But most of all, it’s a story about love…

"Love Rescue Me" is the eleventh track from U2's 1988 album, Rattle and Hum. Sung by The Omagh Community Youth Choir (formed in October 1998 in the wake of the Omagh Bomb atrocity of August 15th 1998, Ireland) for a journey named Playing For Change, a multimedia movement to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music.

This story written by Joshua Brown puts together a teenage boy´s (named Paul Hewson) dreams, Bob Dylan´s songs, and   "the idea that rock and roll can, in fact, change the world"  with the power of songs to redeem pain...

Read the whole story here. 

http://www.thefastertimes.com

A Day at the Races

Christmas brings out the best in people as their generosity and love flows to those around them.

Take Bono for instance, who, days after busking in the streets for charity, decided to treat the Irish press to some Boxing Day fizz.The U2 front man was visiting the Leopardstown race course in Dublin with wife Ali Hewson andtheir daughters Jordan and Eve.

While Ali held a tray of glasses, Bono topped them up with some champagne which they then handed out to the waiting photographers

Cheers! The tray now empty, Bono clutched his own glass as he chatted to the photographers

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Vintage Christmas

An article about old times Christmases in Ireland (Rolling back the Christmases) reminds us of U2´s first time in England , "hoping to crack London".


"...Just before Christmas in 1979, a young Dublin band billed as The U2s arrived in England.


They were hoping to crack London.


"I want to replace the bands in the charts now, because I think we're better'' said the precocious lead singer, known as Bono Vox. (It had to be Bono!!!)


However, only nine paying punters turned up in Islington to watch them..."


To round the memories off, a rare video  of U2 playing John Lennon Cover
 "So this is Christmas"on a TV Show.(probably mid-80´s, after the release of The Joshua Tree)

http://www.independent.ie

Bono and Enda: whiskey and waffle

WHEN Bono met Enda (Kenny, Head of the Irish government) the rock star presented the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) with a bottle of Mayo whiskey as the advisers were sent away and the pair discussed affairs of state.




The duo had a two-hour private meeting in the Taoiseach's office last Wednesday during which the U2 singer's offer to act as an ambassador for Ireland was discussed, the Sunday Independent can reveal.
Bono presented the bottle of whiskey, believed to be the niche Inish Turk Beg, to the Taoiseach as a Christmas gift.
A Government spokesman last night confirmed that the meeting had been tentatively agreed at the Global Irish Economic Forum at Dublin Castle in October. At the forum, Bono said he was willing to "hit the road again", not on a U2 world tour, but to resurrect the reputation of Ireland abroad.


The U2 singer told delegates at the forum that he was willing to work for the country in whatever role was asked of him.
Last night the Taoiseach's spokesman said a "wide range of issues" were discussed by the two men during what turned out to be an extended meeting. Mr Kenny asked all staff to vacate the room while he and Bono discussed national and international events.
The meeting, which took place ahead of the U2 Christmas party in Dublin, is the first known occasion in recent years that Bono has had a one-to-one meeting with a Taoiseach. In the late Eighties, the rock star, who is from Glasnevin in Dublin, established a close relationship with the late Fine Gael leader Garret FitzGerald. Bono was also a member of Young Fine Gael in that decade.

Bono: Busking in Grafton Street (Revisited)

As he did last year, on Christmas Eve Bono and a group of friends ( Oscar-winning musician Glen Hansard ,Mundy, Declan O'Rourke and Hothouse Flowers rocker Liam O'Maonlai) went busking in Grafton Street for two local charities: Simon Community   and the Peter McVerry Trust.
Although the group started off in Grafton Street, they were soon moved to the entrance of St Stephen's Green Park due to safety concerns.


The group with cooperation of fans and passers-by sang three songs: "Silent Night," "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)", and Mic Christopher's song, "Heyday".









http://www.dailymail.co.uk