U2 is the first band slated to perform at the new revamped Point, O2. Owner Harry Crosbie has big plans for the Dublin venue and wanted to reopen the venue with a bang. And after being revealed that he was close with both the band and the manager Paul McGuinness, it was little surprise as to who would play first. U2 has been using this venue for rehearsals before it even opened, so the history should set in nicely with their plans to grab the headlines in December. Fans in the Dublin area are very excited for U2 to perform and it should be another amazing performance from the legendary band.

The front man of the world famous U2 band, Bono, has revealed that the U2’s historic peace concert at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast was the most important event to have happened in the history of U2 so far. Bono, in a recent interview, said that he very much admired the people of Belfast for voting yes in the referendum for the peace process. He said that this gig at Belfast was featured in the headlines of most newspapers for tow or three days. David Trimble and John Hume had joined the U2 band on stage and Bono held their hands high in the air as a symbol of hope.

After enjoying a most refreshing Easter break, U2 is back at their studio in Dublin in order to prepare for their next album. At the helm of this project are producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. Fans are on the verge of begging for the album to be released this year. The album has yet to be given a title, but there’s still time to decide and it is expected that U2’s 2009 concert tour with organizers Live Nation will tide fans over till then.

In related news, U2 is set to release remastered and re-edited versions of their first three albums: “Boy” (1980), “October” (1981) as well as “War” (1983). Universal Music will reissue these albums on B-sides, 180 gram vinyls and in double CD format. Also included are rare unreleased tracks and live versions of their concerts.

U2 is also touted to play at the Slane rock concert come 2009 along with other renowned acts such as the Verve and Led Zeppelin.

 It is amazing to see a band last as long as the Irish born and bred band of U2. When the band formed over twenty years ago, the only thing holding these teenagers together was a dream of playing their unique style of music. Today, after twenty years of entertainment, they have been on the top of the charts along with music greats like the Rolling Stones. As anyone who grew up in the eighties can tell you, music is what makes a generation great. U2 is made up of Bono who plays guitar and is a lead vocalist. The Edge rocks on guitar, keyboards, and is a support vocalist. Adam Clayton (bass guitar) and Larry Mullen Jr. (percussion and drums) are more private members of the band having kept  out of the limelight more-so than Bono and The Edge. The true success of U2 is seen in their ability to adapt themselves to the constantly changing trends in the music industry. The sound is the same but the presentation of the band onstage is something that is hard to match. They also keep themselves involved in many worthwhile causes and use their star status to help those in need instead of their own agendas.

U2 and Kila are set to host a special tribute to Ronnie Drew along with some of Ireland’s finest singers. Some of the musicians work on ‘The Ballad of Ronnie Drew’ are Shane MacGowan, Christy Moore, Damien Dempsey, Sinead O’Connor, Andrea Corr, and Moya Brennan. This week producer John Reynolds said that the feeling was something very special as everyone came into Windmill Lane Rings End Road studios. After talks of poetry and lyrics singer Simon Carmody decided that they wanted to make a tribute to somebody that they truely admired as a musician. Carmody was excited when he approached Grateful Dead wordsmith (and fellow Ronnie Drew fan) Robert Hunter with the idea and he decided to become involved. The song ”The Ballad of Ronnie Drew’ became a joint effort between Hunter, Edge, Carmody and Bono with other artists signing on shortly after. The performances are amazing with Shane MacGowan, Bono, Christy Moore and Damien Dempsey all singing different verses while Sinead, Andrea Corr and Moya sing the choruses. Some of the other artists involved in the project are Brian Kennedy, Bronagh Gallagher, Billy McGuinness, Chris de Burgh, Eleanor McEvoy, Ronan Keating, Duke Special, Gavin Friday, , Jack L, Jerry Fish, Joe Elliott, Mundy, Mary Black, Mary Coughlan, Mick Pyro, Paddy Casey, and Paul Brady.

Front man of the U2 rock band Bono pressed French leader Nicolas Sarkozy to increase aid to developing nations, the aid advocacy group DATA said. The organization, co-founded by Bono has urged France to raise development assistance to 0.7 percent of gross national income by 2012 as agreed earlier. In 2006, French aid stood at 0.31 percent of gross national income.

U2’s new record will be influenced by the trance dance sub-genre of music. According to the band’s frontman, it will also feature “hardcore” guitars. U2 fans can expect a “dance floor shock” on the new record. The album contains some trance influences. There is “some very hardcore guitar coming out of The Edge”. Bono said the new album is not like anything they had ever done before. The band does not think the album sounds like “anything anyone else has done either.”

Bono and Damien Hirst, are backing a forty-million AIDS charity auction of art previewing today in London before heading for NY. The auction was devised by Bono and Damien Hirst to raise money for AIDS treatment in Africa. It features $8 million of works donated by Damien that include a heart-shaped butterfly picture entitled “All You Need is Love” with a top estimate of $1.5 million.

Bono has claimed that the band’s new album is going to be “extraordinary” and absolutely different from what it used to be before. The new album has been inspired by the band’s visit to Morocco last year. At that time, Morocco saw a religious music festival in Fez, and exactly this festival helped U2 to work out new extraordinary tunes.