U2 returns to SA with 360°
2010-10-18 09:36
Cape Town - Live Nation Global Touring and Big Concerts has confirmed that U2 will return to South Africa for the first time since the PopMart Tour in 1998.
The band will play two concerts in the Soccer World Cup stadiums in both Johannesburg and Cape Town with two dates scheduled for the New Year as part of the U2 360° Tour.
"U2 has always been at their best when surrounded by their audience, and 360° allows that to happen - in stadiums, says U2’s manager Paul McGuinness “South Africa has the best stadiums in the world now and we're really looking forward to bringing the full U2 360° production into these fantastic facilities."
By the time it reaches South Africa, U2 360° will have been seen by over 4.5 million fans.
With a cylindrical video system of interlocking LED panels, and a steel structure rising 150 feet from the ground over a massive stage with rotating bridges, the band has created a 360º experience for concertgoers. Long-time U2 Show Director Willie Williams has worked again with architect Mark Fisher (ZooTV, PopMart, Elevation and Vertigo), to create an innovative 360 design, which affords an unobstructed view for the audience.
"To have an in-the-round transportable stadium production is something that the touring industry has been trying to figure out for some time. The extra capacity U2 360° gives us means that there are a large number, several thousand in fact, of low priced tickets at every show", said U2 tour producer/promoter Arthur Fogel, CEO of Live Nation Global Touring. "With its unique staging configuration, U2 360° has excellent sight-lines".
Tickets in both cities will start at R161.00, with General Admission floor tickets available at R401.00. Reserved seat tickets are also available, starting at R428.00 in Cape Town and R696.00 in Johannesburg.
Tickets for the U2 performances in South Africa will go on sale on October 23 through Computicket (www.computicket.com or the 083915800). U2.com subscribers will be able to buy tickets ahead of the public on-sale. Full details at: www.u2.com.
South African Tour Dates
Sunday, February 13, 2011 - Johannesburg - FNB Stadium
Friday, February 18, 2011 - Cape Town - Cape Town Stadium