U2's Live In Boston DVD is Aces!

U2 conquered the world years ago (for further proof, look to Bono's frequent "secret meetings" with various international political leaders and spiritual figure heads), so it's nice to see they haven't forgotten about the little people that helped make them great... or the thousands who jumped back on the bandwagon last year when it became cool to like them again. In any case, they're offering up the long-awaited live DVD in a few short weeks, just in time for Christmas.

Directed by Hamish Hamilton, the aptly-titled U2: Live In Boston, will be getting the full, royal treatment for its English release on November 26, with U.K. Virgin Megastores simultaneously showing a special, edited version in all of their shops the night of the big debut. As well, at each Virgin store, the first 50 fans will walk away with a whole bag of U2 swag taken from their U.S. tour. Seeing as how all of the U.S. tour items were pretty pricey to begin with (T-shirts for $40!), we encourage all Canadian expatriates in the British Isles to pick up some free stuff on principle.

The DVD, which will also be out all over the non-North American world that day (according to HMV, Canadians have to wait until December 4), will feature the band's entire June 6, 2001 concert at Boston's Fleet Centre. Yep, this would be the show where it was alleged that "ugly" fans were forcibly moved from the front of the crowd to be replaced by more aesthetic people so the film footage would be more palatable. We're not sure of the verity in this claim (and, for the record, even if it is true, the band reportedly had no knowledge of it), but we still say it's about time. We're really tired of awesome, live concert footage of songs we love being ruined by sub-par faces in the crowd, dammit.

The set-list for the concert is as follows:
"Elevation"
"Beautiful Day"
"Until The End Of The World"
"Stuck In A Moment That You Can't Get Out Of"
"Kite"
"Gone"
"New York"
"I Will Follow"
"Sunday Bloody Sunday"
"In A Little While"
"Desire"
"Stay (Faraway So Close!)"
"Bad"
"Where The Streets Have No Name"
"Bullet The Blue Sky"
"With Or Without You"
"The Fly"
"Wake Up Dead Man"
"Walk On"

And of course there's also the second disc: the ubiquitous, loaded-with-features, supplementary collection. Among other features, you'll be able to access the entire concert via alternative angles (like the self explanatory Bono-cam) and see a time-lapsed video that shows how the band's road crew erects and takes down the stage. There will also be a few bonus live tracks and footage, but sadly no karaoke feature to sing along with Bono... even though he himself seems eager to duet with absolutely anyone.

As for the band's current touring, Bono and the Boys will finish up in early December, after playing a couple of newly-announced Florida dates. There's no word on whether a fourth(!) leg of the tour will be added, but there's always a chance that the World's Biggest Band will announce some sort of regiment for gigs in Japan, Australia and South America. If not, rumours of the band's work on new material is slowly beginning to surface. Regardless of which creative direction they take next, the prematurely cynical reports of U2's death have long since fallen by the wayside, ever since the band's All That You Can't Leave Behind came out and became a critical and commercial success.

Speaking of which, the lads have also been nominated for Best Band, Duo Or Group at January's American Music Awards. On the one hand, it must be gratifying for the band to know that they can add to their impressive trophy case of accolades. On the other hand, let's face it: the AMAs rank right between The People's Choice Awards and the World Music Awards in terms of outright lameness.

U2 fans will also probably want to check out Mick Jagger's new solo CD. The song "Joy" features Bono on co-vocals and Pete Townsend playing guitar. No word on whether it will be one of the album's singles, but seeing as how "Stuck In A Moment That You Can't Get Out Of" is still dominating the Canadian charts, it's not like they need the exposure right now. If all of this isn't enough U2 for you, flip it on to the Nation's Music Station at any given moment to check out the All-Star Tribute artists covering Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" (if it's not on at first, just wait a few minutes). The whole thing is pretty much tantamount to a four-minute short film that could be titled "Bono Hugs People." And, keep in mind that U2 is heavily rumoured to be on Leno this American Thanksgiving, along with the already confirmed magnificent thespian (and delicate flower), Pamela Anderson. The show will be broadcast to US servicemen in 175 countries over the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. There's nothing like using Irish musicians and Canuck blonde bombshells to raise American morale and patriotism.