From NME · · 1m 10s
U2's 'The Greatest Show On Earth' Tour Production Revealed
U2's stadium tour stage design features red curtains, a gold moon, and a sun for their 'Carnaval De Luz' album launch.
In brief
U2's stadium tour stage design features red curtains, a gold moon, and a sun for their 'Carnaval De Luz' album launch. U2's 'The Greatest Show On Earth' stadium tour uses red curtains, a gold moon, and sun to create a shamanic show experience for their new album. Originally reported by NME.
U2 Tour Production Revealed
U2 shared first look at stage production for their 'The Greatest Show On Earth' stadium tour.
“U2 have shared a first look at the stage production for their ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’ stadium tour, which Bono describes as a “little play on shamanism and showbusiness”.”
Tour Dates Announced
U2 will tour South America, Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, UK, Europe, Ireland, Spain, and North America starting in 2027.
“Dates in South America were announced first, before the band added extra shows in Mexico City, São Paulo and Buenos Aires due to popular demand. They then went on to confirm tour dates in the UK and Europe, taking place in Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin, Lisbon, Milan, and London.”
Stage Design Concept
The stage features a red curtain, two walkways, a gold moon on the left, and a sun on the right.
“In the first image, an overhead view of the venue was shown, with the stage being largely covered by a huge red curtain, two walkways extending out into the crowd, and a large gold moon displayed overhead on the left side of the stage while a sun sits on the right.”
Carnaval De Luz Album
U2's new album 'Carnaval De Luz' releases November 13, 2024, with Dolly Parton's last recording on 'Torn'.
“U2 release ‘Carnaval De Luz’ tomorrow (Friday November 13). It is produced by Jacknife Lee and features the late, great Dolly Parton’s last ever recorded vocal on ‘Torn’.”
Shamanic Show Concept
Bono describes the tour as a 'little play on shamanism and showbusiness' with red curtains and carnival themes.
“We can’t tell you what’s behind the curtain, because then we would have to kill you,” Bono joked. “But a lot is going to go on behind the curtain. We’re playing with this idea of show business. We never thought we were in show business. For us, we’re making art. So it’s a little play on shamanism and show business.”
Tour Support and Rehearsals
Wolf Alice supports U2's tour, and Larry Mullen Jr. rejoined the band after surgery in 2023.
“They also sat out of U2’s residency shows at the Las Vegas Sphere, but rejoined his bandmates for two surprise homecoming gigs in Dublin celebrating their 50th anniversary, as well as an intimate London gig for the BBC with Brian Eno .”
The takeaway
U2's 'The Greatest Show On Earth' stadium tour uses red curtains, a gold moon, and sun to create a shamanic show experience for their new album.
