U2
December 12, 2009 § Leave a comment
I just want to say apropos of nothing, that I am completely blown away that U2 would spend $3 million to build themselves a temporary outdoor stadium at the recently disused Hippodrome-de-Montréal. More than that, that they would offer tickets for as low as 30$. And even more than that, that this temporary stadium will seat up to 80,000 people and that U2 sold out two shows on 16-17 July 2010 in next to no time (and no, I don’t have tickets). As the Irish say in such moments, Jay-sus! Up to 160,000 people for two nights to see U2.
One of my students last week tried to argue that U2 were a spent force as a rock band. Apparently, dude was wrong.
I wish I could tie this to some commentary on the strength of the Irish diaspora in Montréal, or something like that. But sometimes, well, a cigar is just a cigar. So, instead, I present you with this video, tying U2’s classic “Sunday Bloody Sunday” back to its original meaning, Bloody Sunday on the Bogside in Derry, Northern Ireland, on 30 January 1972.
Matthew Barlow 
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