Up Against The Wall: U2′s Berlin Set Sparks Criticism
November 9, 2009 · Print This Article
Given U2′s connection to Berlin with the Achtung Baby album, given U2′s history having “been around” when the Wall fell, given the historical moment that just transpired and U2′s desire to transport fans to a better place via music, it makes complete sense that the band would be invited to mark the anniversary with a free concert. All that said, most of the reports, like the one that follows, focused on allegations concerning the temporary fence that kept some fans from seeing the show.
A U2 show marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall ran into controversy after organisers built a wall around the venue.
A two metre barrier was erected around the Brandenburg gate to keep out people without tickets for the show.
“It’s a shame that a barrier has been set up. It’s stopping many Berliners from hearing the concert,” local politician Frank Henkel told the BBC.
The U2 show was part of the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Ten thousand tickets were given away free online and snapped up within hours.
U2 were also named best live act at the MTV Europe Awards after their gig
Police in the city said they were expecting as many as 100,000 people to descend on the square in front of the Brandenburg Gate to try and catch a glimpse of U2.
Mr Henkel, Christian Democrat floor leader in the Berlin city-state parliament, said: “It would have been so much better if as many Berliners as possible could have taken part.
“We don’t know who’s responsible for this, whether it’s U2 or MTV.
He continued: “10,000 people is a lot, but U2 could have had an even bigger audience enjoying their music at this wonderful location.”
U2 manager Paul McGuinness said Berliners thought it was “pretty ironic” that an event to mark the falling of the wall has resulted in another one being constructed.
Fans, too, were displeased.
“It’s completely ridiculous that they are blocking the view,” said Louis-Pierre Boily, a Canadian fan who travelled to Berlin despite failing to secure tickets for the show.
“I thought it’s a free show, but MTV probably wants people to watch it on TV to get their ratings up.”
‘Safety and security’
But MTV said it worked with the local promoter, the city and police to install a temporary fence “around the site to ensure the safety and security of the attendees at the event as well as residents and businesses in the area”.
Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit said: “The Pariser Platz was the scene for a joyful celebration of peace, love, freedom and music that Berlin will never forget.
“Congratulations to U2 and MTV for bringing this unique moment of musical history to the city of Berlin.”
U2′s representatives declined to comment.
A U2 show marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall ran into controversy after organisers built a wall around the venue.
A two metre barrier was erected around the Brandenburg gate to keep out people without tickets for the show.
“It’s a shame that a barrier has been set up. It’s stopping many Berliners from hearing the concert,” local politician Frank Henkel told the BBC.
The U2 show was part of the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Ten thousand tickets were given away free online and snapped up within hours.
U2 were also named best live act at the MTV Europe Awards after their gig
Police in the city said they were expecting as many as 100,000 people to descend on the square in front of the Brandenburg Gate to try and catch a glimpse of U2.
Mr Henkel, Christian Democrat floor leader in the Berlin city-state parliament, said: “It would have been so much better if as many Berliners as possible could have taken part.
“We don’t know who’s responsible for this, whether it’s U2 or MTV.
He continued: “10,000 people is a lot, but U2 could have had an even bigger audience enjoying their music at this wonderful location.”
U2 manager Paul McGuinness said Berliners thought it was “pretty ironic” that an event to mark the falling of the wall has resulted in another one being constructed.
Fans, too, were displeased.
“It’s completely ridiculous that they are blocking the view,” said Louis-Pierre Boily, a Canadian fan who travelled to Berlin despite failing to secure tickets for the show.
“I thought it’s a free show, but MTV probably wants people to watch it on TV to get their ratings up.”
‘Safety and security’
But MTV said it worked with the local promoter, the city and police to install a temporary fence “around the site to ensure the safety and security of the attendees at the event as well as residents and businesses in the area”.
Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit said: “The Pariser Platz was the scene for a joyful celebration of peace, love, freedom and music that Berlin will never forget.
“Congratulations to U2 and MTV for bringing this unique moment of musical history to the city of Berlin.”
U2′s representatives declined to comment.
Photos from http://www.spiegel.de/
For excellent coverage with lots of videos see http://www.u2gigs.com/
Article from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8344776.stm
Yeah I think that the people criticizing U2 for this are the reason why people come up to me, knowing I’m a U2 fan, and say things like “Bono is a douche bag, blah blah blah.” It is completely unfounded. Stupid people just take what they hear in the media and repeat it just so it appears that they have an opinion. I actually already read this article after someone on Twitter (another rock star who will remain nameless at this time posted, “U2 build a wall in order to celebrate the fall of the Berlin wall.”
The fact is that U2 and Bono have become an easy target for this kind of criticism. Why? Because people hate that there isn’t enough dirt on these guys. I think it makes people angry that the boys are doing positive things for people and they don’t fall flat on their faces often enough, ala Lindsey Lohan… The fact that U2 promotes Joy and Peace pisses people off because U2 aren’t as bitter and angry and as apathetic as they are.
#1 U2 probably had nothing to do with the gates being put up… if anything it was the city and mtv who took the precautions and the politician quoted by the BBC is full of shite.
#2 It is’nt all that safe for people to be flooding the streets without any restrictions. It does really suck that they put the fence up but I’m sure that they atleast thought they were making it safer for everyone involved. I went through the same exact thing when I went to go see Depeche Mode put on a free show in the streets of hollywood… the police pushed us around and tried to kick us out and even arrested a few folks. It sucked but I didn’t blame Depeche Mode at all.
You can’t hear because of a fence?