U2 Are No Longer A Road Touring Band; Now Just A Song Factory!

Hot Rod's had heart surgery.

Also how is Rod Stewart their contemporary.  He's a contemporary of The Stones.  He's about 102 years older than the likes of that K-pop singer who died last week aged 22 (as they do).

I see a market opportunity for insurance companies.

Buy a ticket and pay an optional premium in case your concert is canceled and you can then claim your travel expenses.

There was also that tour with Lionel Richie failing to complete the show and then canceling some shows after.

It's not also like U2 are tour-tested.  They are more "tour-rusty" if ever they tour.  So if it happens, it should be called something like the "contingency survival" tour where dates are not guaranteed and you buy your own tickets - including plane tickets and hotel bookings - at your own risk.

It comes with the territory and is part of the risk a potential audience member is taking.

But at this point, who really cares about seeing them tour again if they keep churning out new songs at this pace?

Cheers,

J

Larry's right as rain now.

Might as well just have them put down and save everybody a lot of anxiety and/or buyer's remorse.

"We can't go on tour, what if we die?"

"I can't go to a U2 show, what if I die (of boredom)."

Yet another contemporary of U2 have got medical touring issues.

"Due to an unforseen but minor medical procedure that required prompt attention" Rod Stewart's concert with special guest Richard Marx was postponed and rescheduled.

It seems par for the course to have aging acts get concerts cancelled or rescheduled.  I am sure U2 and their fans are aware of this reality so they have been hesitant to be performing live in the past couple of years and it seems like the fans might be hesitant to buy tickets too.

Cheers,

J

Next it's gonna be just Bono reciting Elevation - the poem in his underpants.

U2 "live" keep getting more "stripped down."

First, it was just Bono, Edge, and Clayton plus a substitute in the Sphere.

Then, it was just Bono and Edge for the Letterman Special, the Ukraine subway gig, and most recently the Obama ceremony.

Most recently, it's just Bono with an Edge cameo but Bono wasn't even singing - just reciting lyrics.

Is this a case of "how the mighty have fallen?"

Cheers,

J

Quote from: Rupert Pupkin on August 03, 2026, 09:19:29 AM They don't *need* the money.

I need the money. They don't need the money.  Need a drink?  You don't *need* a drink!  I do!

It's my industrial strength hair dryer, and I NEED it to survive!

U2 Music Factory On The Fritz Again

Quote from: So Cruel on August 03, 2026, 03:17:53 PM Quote from: SlyDanner on August 03, 2026, 02:27:21 PM Who doesn't love a cute kitten, am I right?

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Quote from: SlyDanner on August 03, 2026, 02:27:21 PM Who doesn't love a cute kitten, am I right?

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f0/d4/17/f0d417e8348c90235762dff15a14b4ee.gif)

We can build a factory…and create misery.

Who doesn't love a cute kitten, am I right?

Quote from: SlyDanner on August 02, 2026, 10:53:40 PM Quote from: Layton on August 02, 2026, 10:05:09 PM I actually would be in favor of this bullshit being accurate. End it like the Beatles........no touring, just studio projects. I feel like they've shown an aptitude for interesting work this year. Keep pursuing it until the well runs dry. If they were to tour I'd prefer a modest presentation of only '20.s material. New album, Ash, Lily and Reassemble. No older songs. Except the proverbial B stage of Songs of Surrender versions.

Better chance of me replacing LaBron on the Lakers next year.

Or of SC, AF or MPare developing a taste for decent beer.

(https://c.tenor.com/S6DMP--rr3YAAAAd/kitten-cute-animal.gif)

They don't *need* the money.

I need the money. They don't need the money.  Need a drink?  You don't *need* a drink!  I do!

Quote from: SlyDanner on August 02, 2026, 10:53:40 PM Quote from: Layton on August 02, 2026, 10:05:09 PM I actually would be in favor of this bullshit being accurate. End it like the Beatles........no touring, just studio projects. I feel like they've shown an aptitude for interesting work this year. Keep pursuing it until the well runs dry. If they were to tour I'd prefer a modest presentation of only '20.s material. New album, Ash, Lily and Reassemble. No older songs. Except the proverbial B stage of Songs of Surrender versions.

Better chance of me replacing LaBron on the Lakers next year.

Or of SC, AF or MPare developing a taste for decent beer.

(https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyYjhkaGgxY3dxOGwwamt6empyYzM1cGJyemMxazVwZ2ZnenA5djk4ZCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/yNvlalDnIAATu/giphy.gif)

Quote from: Layton on August 02, 2026, 10:05:09 PM I actually would be in favor of this bullshit being accurate. End it like the Beatles........no touring, just studio projects. I feel like they've shown an aptitude for interesting work this year. Keep pursuing it until the well runs dry. If they were to tour I'd prefer a modest presentation of only '20.s material. New album, Ash, Lily and Reassemble. No older songs. Except the proverbial B stage of Songs of Surrender versions.

Better chance of me replacing LaBron on the Lakers next year.

Or of SC, AF or MPare developing a taste for decent beer.

I actually would be in favor of this bullshit being accurate. End it like the Beatles........no touring, just studio projects. I feel like they've shown an aptitude for interesting work this year. Keep pursuing it until the well runs dry. If they were to tour I'd prefer a modest presentation of only '20.s material. New album, Ash, Lily and Reassemble. No older songs. Except the proverbial B stage of Songs of Surrender versions.

Larry Mullen remembered as 'great friend' and 'raconteur' after a brief gardening accident over the mid Atlantic

I don't think they'd do that because I think they value their lives too much.

Quote from: This Dave on July 30, 2026, 12:02:34 PM Quote from: Rupert Pupkin on July 30, 2026, 09:48:03 AM They need the money??? What the fuck have these guys been doing?  They need the MONEY???

I mean, if they had a different career, or had started 15 years later, yes I would get that.

Maybe Larry needs the money.  They haven't paid him since 1984.

I'm amused by the idea that the other three have a running prank where they've been telling Larry the check is coming any day now for everything since UF.

It's exactly like that.  They just keep fobbing him off... for 40 years.  And he's living on his sister's couch.

The members have net worths of hundreds of millions and they might spend about £5m a year on general living expenses.  How much do they need to leave their trust fund kids to keep them safe from the horrors of this world?

None of us know how much U2 Corp. has made, their costs, or the bands personnel wealth.

That being said, if U2 Corp. and the band members haven’t set enough aside over the past 2 decades to retire tomorrow then they have the worst financial managers in history.

JT redux tours and the Sphere brought in close to $700m in ticket sales. That’s not even including merch, where stadium level bands can make between $500k - $1m per show. I read that for the Sphere shows U2 received over 90% of the revenue from the shows while the Sphere took less than 10%.

U2 has probably generated in the neighbourhood of $1b + in the last decade or so. Even if after tour costs, taxes, etc they keep 25%, that’s $250m to run the company and pay themselves obscene amounts of $. And that’s on top of what they had from 1980-2015.

If U2 were hurting for cash or had to tour to keep up their lifestyle, they could just do what many other artists have done and sell their catalog, which would likely sell for over $500m.

Quote from: Rupert Pupkin on July 30, 2026, 09:48:03 AM They need the money??? What the fuck have these guys been doing?  They need the MONEY???

I mean, if they had a different career, or had started 15 years later, yes I would get that.

Maybe Larry needs the money.  They haven't paid him since 1984.

Of course they need the money. It’s not about how much you made but how much you’ve spent. They have a pretty costly lifestyle.

Quote from: Guggison on July 30, 2026, 10:38:55 AM Quote from: MJC Kenpo on July 26, 2026, 03:13:27 PM I think they are under contract with Live Nation until 2028. Does that mean they will tour? Not necessarily. But I highly doubt either U2 prove Nation will pass up the money from any tour so long as the band is healthy enough to do so.

Its been all money OUT .... the last  few releases.... the Mexico project must have cost one million ... the producers, jacknife lee, ryan tedder - they dont come cheap.

They probably still get an advance from their record company as well as expenses for promotional stuff.

Quote from: Guggison on July 30, 2026, 10:38:55 AM Quote from: MJC Kenpo on July 26, 2026, 03:13:27 PM I think they are under contract with Live Nation until 2028. Does that mean they will tour? Not necessarily. But I highly doubt either U2 prove Nation will pass up the money from any tour so long as the band is healthy enough to do so.

Its been all money OUT .... the last  few releases.... the Mexico project must have cost one million ... the producers, jacknife lee, ryan tedder - they dont come cheap.

One million is less than one show for them when they tour.

Quote from: Rupert Pupkin on July 30, 2026, 09:48:03 AM They need the money??? What the fuck have these guys been doing?  They need the MONEY???

I mean, if they had a different career, or had started 15 years later, yes I would get that.

Maybe Larry needs the money.  They haven't paid him since 1984.

I'm amused by the idea that the other three have a running prank where they've been telling Larry the check is coming any day now for everything since UF.

Quote from: MJC Kenpo on July 26, 2026, 03:13:27 PM I think they are under contract with Live Nation until 2028. Does that mean they will tour? Not necessarily. But I highly doubt either U2 prove Nation will pass up the money from any tour so long as the band is healthy enough to do so.

Its been all money OUT .... the last  few releases.... the Mexico project must have cost one million ... the producers, jacknife lee, ryan tedder - they dont come cheap.

Quote from: jick on July 28, 2026, 11:56:19 AM Quote from: Tumbling Dice on July 27, 2026, 06:40:55 AM Larry's health problems are a big reason for the band's reluctance to tour in recent years.

What about their reluctance for something as simple as a live full band TV appearance which they haven't even done in ages?  Not even a single song performed live?

We have to accept (and even embrace) U2's new reality.

Cheers,

J

Whether or not it was planned, I think this is probably a needed retreat from overexposure.

They need the money??? What the fuck have these guys been doing?  They need the MONEY???

I mean, if they had a different career, or had started 15 years later, yes I would get that.

Maybe Larry needs the money.  They haven't paid him since 1984.

Quote from: Tumbling Dice on July 28, 2026, 01:05:36 PM Quote from: jick on July 28, 2026, 11:56:19 AM Quote from: Tumbling Dice on July 27, 2026, 06:40:55 AM Larry's health problems are a big reason for the band's reluctance to tour in recent years.

What about their reluctance for something as simple as a live full band TV appearance which they haven't even done in ages?  Not even a single song performed live?

We have to accept (and even embrace) U2's new reality.

Cheers,

J

Who gives a toss about TV appearances these days.  Even Donald Trump couldn't be bothered with them in his last election campaign.

The media landscape has definitely shifted where a group of their stature could reasonably say "Your network show needs us a lot more than we need you".

Quote from: Soloyan on July 27, 2026, 12:36:56 PM I think COVID had had an enormous effect on U2 as a whole... and not a good one. For many artists it meant regroup and write, so that they were eager to take the road as soon as it was possible.

Somehow U2 stayed on the bench. Larry's condition didn't help. And they slowly began to build up : Bono's book & tour, the Sphere residency, SOS... I think it wall was a transitional period that they needed. It's apparent now that they've been productive, as the latest releases suggest. I'd be very, very surprised if all of U2's current strategy wasn't targeting a world tour for the next 2 years.

And let's not forget one thing... They need the money. If just as U2.inc and not as individuals. The EPs and singles didn't bring food to the table. A new album won't, either. The only way for U2 to raise substantial income is touring. Plus, the fact that they haven't toured for so long, rather than "condition" us, created a demand. People came from all over the world to see 3/4 of them in Vegas. They'll be more than happy to go to a stadium nearby for a portion of that price. And the more casual fans will follow.

What was the year of Bono's near-death heart problem?

Quote from: jick on July 28, 2026, 11:56:19 AM Quote from: Tumbling Dice on July 27, 2026, 06:40:55 AM Larry's health problems are a big reason for the band's reluctance to tour in recent years.

What about their reluctance for something as simple as a live full band TV appearance which they haven't even done in ages?  Not even a single song performed live?

We have to accept (and even embrace) U2's new reality.

Cheers,

J

Who gives a toss about TV appearances these days.  Even Donald Trump couldn't be bothered with them in his last election campaign.

Quote from: jick on July 28, 2026, 11:54:48 AM Quote from: MPare1966 on July 27, 2026, 09:41:27 AM U2 will tour massively in 2027.

There’s too much money to be made.

Tell that to David Lee Roth who cancelled shows due to low ticket sales.

Tell that to Sammy Hagar who had to downsize the venue in Europe due to low ticket sales.

Tell that to Roxette who cancelled their tour that hadn't even started yet because Live Nation deemed the costs were too high.

Those are more the ones up U2's alley, not the acts like BTS or Bad Bunny.

Cheers,

J

Stadium tour to start in winter 2027 in South America, maybe a few Down Under.

Then it’ll move to Europe in May and through out the summer.

North America could have to wait late fall 2027 or early 2028, with indoor gigs most probably.

I figure in total maybe 70-80 shows. It won’t be as extensive as previous tours.

Cheers,

M

Quote from: jick on July 28, 2026, 11:54:48 AM Quote from: MPare1966 on July 27, 2026, 09:41:27 AM U2 will tour massively in 2027.

There’s too much money to be made.

Tell that to David Lee Roth who cancelled shows due to low ticket sales.

Tell that to Sammy Hagar who had to downsize the venue in Europe due to low ticket sales.

Tell that to Roxette who cancelled their tour that hadn't even started yet because Live Nation deemed the costs were too high.

Those are more the ones up U2's alley, not the acts like BTS or Bad Bunny.

Cheers,

J

I find myself agreeing with you on this at least... I've been saying for a while that demand for U2 has dropped off a cliff in recent years.  The Sphere was an outlier because the venue was as much a draw (if not more so) than the band.

U2 used to be a phenomenal live act.  Those days are long gone.

Quote from: Tumbling Dice on July 27, 2026, 06:40:55 AM Larry's health problems are a big reason for the band's reluctance to tour in recent years.

What about their reluctance for something as simple as a live full band TV appearance which they haven't even done in ages?  Not even a single song performed live?

We have to accept (and even embrace) U2's new reality.

Cheers,

J

Quote from: MPare1966 on July 27, 2026, 09:41:27 AM U2 will tour massively in 2027.

There’s too much money to be made.

Tell that to David Lee Roth who cancelled shows due to low ticket sales.

Tell that to Sammy Hagar who had to downsize the venue in Europe due to low ticket sales.

Tell that to Roxette who cancelled their tour that hadn't even started yet because Live Nation deemed the costs were too high.

Those are more the ones up U2's alley, not the acts like BTS or Bad Bunny.

Cheers,

J

Quote from: Soloyan on July 27, 2026, 12:36:56 PM I think COVID had had an enormous effect on U2 as a whole... and not a good one. For many artists it meant regroup and write, so that they were eager to take the road as soon as it was possible.

Somehow U2 stayed on the bench. Larry's condition didn't help. And they slowly began to build up : Bono's book & tour, the Sphere residency, SOS... I think it wall was a transitional period that they needed. It's apparent now that they've been productive, as the latest releases suggest. I'd be very, very surprised if all of U2's current strategy wasn't targeting a world tour for the next 2 years.

And let's not forget one thing... They need the money. If just as U2.inc and not as individuals. The EPs and singles didn't bring food to the table. A new album won't, either. The only way for U2 to raise substantial income is touring. Plus, the fact that they haven't toured for so long, rather than "condition" us, created a demand. People came from all over the world to see 3/4 of them in Vegas. They'll be more than happy to go to a stadium nearby for a portion of that price. And the more casual fans will follow.

This

Quote from: Rupert Pupkin on July 27, 2026, 09:43:18 AM I am old enough, or young enough, to remember the 2000s when we were assured that the band stilled 'lived on stage' even if their albums were garbage now.  20 years on, they can't even cross the road without a walking frame.  An actual gig?  Fucking forgedaboudit.

I think you mean 'fuhgeddaboudit'

I think COVID had had an enormous effect on U2 as a whole... and not a good one. For many artists it meant regroup and write, so that they were eager to take the road as soon as it was possible.

Somehow U2 stayed on the bench. Larry's condition didn't help. And they slowly began to build up : Bono's book & tour, the Sphere residency, SOS... I think it wall was a transitional period that they needed. It's apparent now that they've been productive, as the latest releases suggest. I'd be very, very surprised if all of U2's current strategy wasn't targeting a world tour for the next 2 years.

And let's not forget one thing... They need the money. If just as U2.inc and not as individuals. The EPs and singles didn't bring food to the table. A new album won't, either. The only way for U2 to raise substantial income is touring. Plus, the fact that they haven't toured for so long, rather than "condition" us, created a demand. People came from all over the world to see 3/4 of them in Vegas. They'll be more than happy to go to a stadium nearby for a portion of that price. And the more casual fans will follow.

Quote from: Amor fati on July 26, 2026, 03:20:03 PM U2's MASSIVE 2027 - 2028 "FIREFLY TOUR" EXPECTED TO GROSS $10 TRILLION

You know it's these trillionaires who are to blame for everything.

I am old enough, or young enough, to remember the 2000s when we were assured that the band stilled 'lived on stage' even if their albums were garbage now.  20 years on, they can't even cross the road without a walking frame.  An actual gig?  Fucking forgedaboudit.

U2 will tour massively in 2027.

There’s too much money to be made.

Quote from: Amor fati on July 26, 2026, 03:20:03 PM U2's MASSIVE 2027 - 2028 "FIREFLY TOUR" EXPECTED TO GROSS $10 TRILLION

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Larry's health problems are a big reason for the band's reluctance to tour in recent years.

Quote from: MJC Kenpo on July 26, 2026, 08:19:31 PM They also have access to leading medical care and round the clock masseuse / chiropractic treatment while on and off the road.

So do Rush, Bon Jovi, David Lee Roth - to name a few, yet it's been a struggle to tour for those aforementioned artists.

It's not just the mere absence of a year-long U2 tour since 2018.  It's also been the fact that they haven't even perforrmed live - not even for a single full song, or TV guest appearance during this drought.

Let's face it, U2 are no longer a live band and given their inactivity, if they indeed decide to tour - they will just be a shell of their old live selves.

Cheers,

J

We will be dead before seeing them on tour.

Quote from: jick on July 26, 2026, 07:35:54 PM Even if they announce a tour for 2027, that would still be 9 years removed from their last full scale tour. And the Sphere residency has made 21 songs with 3 stripped down (net of 18 full band songs), as the new normal. That's a far cry from their usual 25 to 27 song setlists with 23 to 24 of those being full band songs. U2's touring inactivity,  advanced age, and surgeries would be detrimental to future live shows. It's a good thing they made up for it with their recent studio output productivity.

Cheers,

J

You also have to take COVID era into account. I'm not saying they would necessarily have had a tour, but it wasn't really an option for awhile.

They also have access to leading medical care and round the clock masseuse / chiropractic treatment while on and off the road.

U2 can do in their mid to late 60’s what the remaining Stones did in their 70’s and still into their 80’s.

I don’t know why I’m even engaging you on this. Perhaps I’m the one in need of medical care 🙃

Even if they announce a tour for 2027, that would still be 9 years removed from their last full scale tour. And the Sphere residency has made 21 songs with 3 stripped down (net of 18 full band songs), as the new normal. That's a far cry from their usual 25 to 27 song setlists with 23 to 24 of those being full band songs. U2's touring inactivity,  advanced age, and surgeries would be detrimental to future live shows. It's a good thing they made up for it with their recent studio output productivity.

Cheers,

J

As someone who has close to zero desire to subject myself to another copy/paste U2 show, I could not care less.

Quote from: Tumbling Dice on July 26, 2026, 10:33:26 AM I predict they'll be back to touring next year.

Yeah I think we are at most a few months away from an announcement erasing Jick's theory.

U2's MASSIVE 2027 - 2028 "FIREFLY TOUR" EXPECTED TO GROSS $10 TRILLION

I think they are under contract with Live Nation until 2028. Does that mean they will tour? Not necessarily. But I highly doubt either U2 prove Nation will pass up the money from any tour so long as the band is healthy enough to do so.

I predict they'll be back to touring next year.