Language level: Pre-Intermediate
Standards: American and British accents
U2 ON TOUR
U2, the great rock band, is having a busy Autumn. After playing in Europe, the group is now heading to New Zealand and Australia. Earlier this year the group cancelled tour dates in the USA. Lead singer Bono injured his back. Luckily for U2 fans, he has now recovered and the tour is back on the road!
THE CLAW!
The 360º tour is unique. The group performs on a special stage: the Claw 200 trucks transport the stage from city to city. The enormous structure serves as stage, lighting system, video centre and sound system. It’s like a huge spaceship in the middle of the stadium. Lights flash. The music roars. And Bono is in constant motion as he sings and dances. The Claw is a spectacular stage, but Bono is the star.
DUBLINERS
U2 have been together since 1976. What is the secret of their success? Guitarist The Edge explains, “We’re a real band. We’re committed and loyal. And we’re real friends.” The group met as school boys at Dublin’s Mount Temple Comprehensive School. Bono even met his wife Alison Stewart, as the same school.
RELIGION
Incredibly, the group almost never existed. Bono and The Edge attended prayer meetings in the 1970s and their Christian beliefs contradicted the rock’n’ roll lifestyle. They decided to continue, but their Christian beliefs remains important to them.
AFRICA
The group’s religious beliefs are the inspiration behind their charity work. Bono is world-famous as an advocate for Live Aid, ONE and DATA in the fight to end poverty in Africa. He’s a friend of world leaders and receives invitations to speak at events like the 2005 G8 Summit. Some people accuse him of arrogance. He admits, “I’m sick of Bono, and I am Bono!”
FASHION
This autumn is an import time for Alison Hewson, Bono’s wife, and her ethical clothing collection EDUN. Alison and Bono founded EDUN to promote business and create jobs in Africa in 2005. So far the collection hasn’t been a success. But new designer Sharon Wauchob and partners, international fashion house LVMH, should change that, EDUN was recently re-launched during New York’s Fashion week to positive reviews by major media in the US.
Those Names: Bono and the Edge (no audio)
Bono’s real name is Paul Hewson. His first nickname was Steinheg Van Huyse No Leg Bangbangbang. It evolved info Bonavox of O’Connell Street. bonavox was a Dublin store that sold hearing aids. This nickname became BonoVox – terrible Latin for ‘good voice’ –and finally Bono. Guitarist The Edge is really David Evans. Bono gave him his nickname because of the way he observes life from the edge and his angular face.
