U2 Enchants Fans with Technological Wizardry

Remember when the meaning of high-tech in music meant a few samples and synthesizer effects here and there? Maybe a few wide-screen televisions for those of us in the cheap seats?

That seems so antiquated and quaint nowadays, at least for the really, really popular bands. Irish rockers U2 have upped the ante considerably with the massively glitzy stage set of their 360 world tour (even the web site is impressive), sponsored by Canadian gadget guru Blackberry, which kicked off in Barcelona a few days ago.

Never mind the fact that you have to be independently wealthy (or have questionable priorities) to afford tickets, ranging from $29 (yeah, right) to just under $1,000. At least U2 wants to give its apparently well-heeled fans a show they won't soon forget, in addition to the music. Fast Company provided a few images of the stage set in an article discussing the technology behind the world tour.

Traveling the globe with Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullin, Jr. and Adam Clayton are a gargantuan (seven-stories tall!) 360-degree video screen comprised of 888 individual LED screens, which covers 3,800 square feet and weighs 60 tons. Design firm Hoberman Associates is responsible for the moving, shape-changing video sphere.

Just think, 10 years from now every smoky music club across the country will have its own 360-degree video sphere and most of us will yawn about how antiquated it looks. Maybe not, but whatever happened to just enjoying the music for its own sake?