David Byrne Disses U2

07/28/09 4:36pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

David Byrne has attacked U2's spending for their 360 Tour, even though the tour is inadvertently "subsidizing" his current European tour.

Byrne recently played a gig at a small venue in Warsaw, Poland. Normally, the venue wouldn't be able to pay for the gig or cater it, since it's being promoted by Live Nation. But since Live Nation also controls U2's tours, merchandise and website, so Byrne says it will recoup its losses from Byrne's gigs.

Regardless, Byrne doesn't really understand why the 360 Tour is so massive.

"Those stadium shows may possibly be the most extravagant and expensive (production-wise) ever: $40 million to build the stage and, having done the math, we estimate 200 semi trucks crisscrossing Europe for the duration," he wrote in a July 14 blog entry.

"It could be professional envy speaking here, but it sure looks like, well, overkill, and just a wee bit out of balance given all the starving people in Africa and all.

"Or maybe it's the fact that we were booted off our Letterman spot so U2 could keep their exclusive week-long run that's making me less than charitable? Take your pick — but thanks, guys!"

U2's massive stage caused a bit of trouble in Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday. Dismantling the stage was a round-the-clock job and apparently caused so much noise that it led to protests about the racket.

Protesters outside Dublin's Croke Park stadium stopped more than 50 trucks carrying the 390-ton stage, screens, lighting and sound equipment from getting their morning ferry and some left the stadium several hours later, according to the Associated Press. It's not known whether U2's upcoming dates in Sweden, Germany and Poland next week will be affected by the delay.

David Purdue, spokesperson for the Croke Park Area Residents' Committee, said the protesters did not want to delay or affect U2's tour, but wanted Dublin City Council and the Gaelic Athletic Association to recognize the noise was inappropriate.

Protesters said they would let U2 get most of the stage's parts out, but Irish concert promoters MCD Productions told protesters they could be sued for any financial losses they, U2 or anyone else with a stake in the tour incur as a result of delays.

U2 will play these dates in support of this year's No Line On The Horizon:

July 31-Aug. 1 Gothenburg, Sweden @ Ullevi Stadium w/Snow Patrol
Aug. 3 Gelsenkirchen, Germany @ Veltins-Arena w/Snow Patrol
Aug. 6 Chorzow, Poland @ Slaski Stadium w/Snow Patrol
Aug. 9-10 Zagreb, Croatia @ Stadium Maksimir w/Snow Patrol and The Hours
Aug. 14 London, England @ Wembley Stadium w/Elbow and The Hours
Aug. 15 London, England @ Wembley Stadium w/Glasvegas and The Hours
Aug. 18 Glasgow, Scotland @ Hampden Park w/Elbow and The Hours
Aug. 20 Sheffield, England @ Don Valley Stadium w/Elbow and The Hours
Aug. 22 Cardiff, Wales @ Millennium Stadium w/Glasvegas and The Hours
Sept. 12-13 Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field w/Snow Patrol
Sept. 16-17 Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre w/Snow Patrol
Sept. 20-21 Boston, MA @ Gillette Stadium w/Snow Patrol
Sept. 24-25 New York, NY @ Giants Stadium w/Muse
Sept. 29 Washington, DC @ FedEx Field w/Muse
Oct. 1 Charlottesville, VA @ Scott Stadium w/Muse
Oct. 3 Raleigh, NC @ Carter-Finley Stadium w/Muse
Oct. 6 Atlanta, GA @ Georgia Dome w/Muse
Oct. 9 Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium w/Muse
Oct. 12 Dallas, TX @ New Cowboys Stadium w/Muse
Oct. 14 Houston, TX @ Reliant Stadium w/Muse
Oct. 18 Norman, TX @ Oklahoma Memorial Stadium w/Black Eyed Peas
Oct. 20 Phoenix, AZ @ University Of Phoenix Stadium w/Black Eyed Peas
Oct. 23 Las Vegas, NV @ Sam Boyd Stadium w/Black Eyed Peas
Oct. 25 Los Angeles, CA @ Rose Bowl w/Black Eyed Peas
Oct. 28 Vancouver, BC @ BC Place w/Black Eyed Peas