I did manage a while back to be finally able to sign on and renew my membership and am pleased that I got my priority access code to get my concert tickets sorted. What does hack me off though is I don't about most of you but I still have never received the CD "Medium Rare & Remastered" yet I see loads of people are selling it on Ebay! That doesn't seem right to me, I pointed this out to Fanfire who of course as usual are useless and aren't interested. Very disappointing!
Art M - 15 years ago
I've been a paid subscriber since it was Propaganda, so I don't pay as much as a new subsriber would, but it does have it's advantages and disadvantages to the web-site. First, everytime I subscribe, they'll send me things that I know I wouldn't be able to get in stores or in any other web-sites. Second, I'm always the first to get tickets with great seats (GA-standing, next to the stage, also won the lotto to be in the eclipse at the Vegas show!). Third, I get 25% off on all their items that they sale. Fourth, I get to see rare footage, videos, live events, latest news, and hear audio on all their tracks that they've created. I guess their isn't any disadvantages to their web-site. It's worth being a true U2 fan since 1983. Thanks U2 for all that you've given us!
joe - 15 years ago
It's nice that 1 hour after the $50/person fanclub presale there are 20+ listings on ebay and craigslist. some people are selling more than 10 tickets. And the concerts are all sold out before the general sale. The scalpers have won. the band and fans have lost once again. i can't figure out why all bands aren't totally infuriated that losers on their computers are making more money from the concerts than they are.
I will never pay $ for the honor of fighting with scalpers for tickets during a presale. I hope someone with enough power gets really mad about this and stops it.
alan - 15 years ago
i agree with lampsey. bono seemed to take pride in the fact that they were working on a way to get cheaper tickets out to the fans. he also stated that the £30 tickets would probably be some of the best tickets available. i got 2 tickets for myself and my son for hampden and i am as far away from the stage as it can get. i was there for the vertigo tour in 2005 and it was probably the worst u2 gig of all time. i may as well have stood outside and listened. i saw u2 on the tube in 1983 when i was 12. under a blood red sky blew me away. and as far as the music is concerned they are still blowing me away now. ive seen u2 17 times. the last time i flew to madison square garden. and it was one of the best nights of my life. but just lately ive been starting to get a bad taste in my mouth about the whole marketing machine and the total disregard for the real fans. why bring out 5 versions of the new album? ill tell you why. money money money! they know the real fans will go out and buy every version. just like i have been doing for the last 26 years! and will continue to do until they decide they have had enough. another thing as well. i booked flights and accomadation to barcelona as soon as the tour dates were announced. then they sell out the first night.announce another date 2 days later. so now im scrambling around trying to rearange flights and an extra 2 nights accomadation.and guess what? i couldnt get a ticket! so not only am i going to barcelona without tickets. its costing me more money to do so as well! thanks bono for making my life a misery in the pursuit of my rock n roll dream. but everything is ok as long as you keep telling us how grateful you are for the life we have given you! sorry about the rant but some things need saying!
Tony Ventner - 15 years ago
These are the idiotic comments this anus has made about U2 and NLOTH;
4 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
Relentlessly, doggedly prosaic, jejune and listless, March 5, 2009
By Steven Guy
I've never been a fan of U2, but there is not doubt about their appeal to millions and the fact that have written some memorable songs, irrespective of whether one likes them or not (I do not). However, I was curious about this new album and it has been playing no stop in my workplace for the last week.
So, what is it like?
Well, I honestly have to say that this is the least memorable album I've heard in a very long time. I've heard the album a lot and it has barely made any impression on me. It rather sounds like a U2 cover band attempting to sound like U2 with their own bunch of 3rd rate originals.
The album seems to be constructed from a group of new and old U2 musical "clichés" and a lot of very ordinary musical ideas. The lyrics aren't particularly interesting either.
I understand that Mr. Bono Vox has a "social conscience"? Well, if I was him, I would endeavour to discourage people from buying this third rate CD recording in these tough economic times and save their money for more important and entertaining things. Really, this is not an album one should be selling - it should either be given away for nothing or withdrawn and an apology made.
I know that neither of these things is likely.
PS: I have just been listening to Rokia Traoré's 2009 album, "Tchamantché", and boy-oh-boy! What a relief it is to listen to something powerful, touching, inventive, passionate, intelligent, emotional, stylish and delightfully rich and colourful after hearing U2's turgid, hapless, stale and melodically barren mess, "No Line On The Horizon"! Place your copy of "No Line" in the nearest available dumpster and get Rokia Traoré's album. Bono and the boys will ultimately thank you!
Tony Ventner - 15 years ago
Guys & Gals
Just want to alert all U2 fans that there is some absolute idiot that keeps posting terrible reviews on Amazon.com (USA) having a real go at NLOTH and U2 fans in general. His name is Steven Guy in Australia and you can see his postings under the 1 star review on page 3. As a fan I don't think he should get away with it so please all band together and show him the distain he richly deserves.
Lampsey - 15 years ago
Hypocrites.
Lie number 1:
Bono said that this time round the tickets would be cheaper because of the recession. Theyre not. Cheapest were 55 quid inc 6 quid booking fee making them a few quid dearer than last time for hampden park. (They even sold tickets at 80 for seat behind the stage where folk couldnt even see the band!)
Lie number 2:
Bono is a champion for equality. Then favours those with more money in this dispicable presale/member nonsense. They charge you 50 euros for the privilage of getting prefferential treatment. Sounds fare to me Bono. Yeah you can get first dibbs on the cheaper tickets if you stump up you cash NOW. Its psychological marketing. You think your getting something cheaper and better when you actually paying extra for the same thing everyone else gets. But ask them to contribute their own cash and theyll say...'bugger off were not paying tax after the first 250k is free because were 'artists''. No, your are no longer artists. Your just a company.
andypit - 15 years ago
i joined straight away,no matter what the cost if you like something enough you will pay any price.ive been a u2 fan since 1987 when i bought a copy of the joshua tree on vinyl,took it home & did not stop playing it also with in a week i also bought the rest of there back catalogue,ive also been a member of there web site since 2000 & with every new membership each year comes a free album of rarities or live shows.so think how much it costs to buy a cd in a shop before saying that $32 is expensive.i also have now got my tickets(in the pre sale with no problem what so ever) to see u2 at wembley on augest 14
and me and the wife cant wait.oh and NO LINE ON THE HORIZON is a monster of an album its the best since ACHTUNG BABY,will also sound great live.
Ems - 15 years ago
My answer is NO. I was a propaganda member (for what, like 20 bucks?) and got the magazine, and GA's to Elevation in Denver, and it was worth it. Just sent in the money order and my choices on the slip and lo, and behold, two tickets arrived at my house. I joined U2.com at it's inception, and when Vertigo came around... I couldn't buy ANYTHING in the fan "presale". But, I scored GA tix to three concerts during the regular sale. Thanks, but I'll take my chances. Ticketscalper, I mean Ticketmaster already takes too much of my hard-earned money. It shouldn't cost anything for them to give their fans this opportunity, but they'll keep thanking us for "giving them a good life." Indeed.
Jim - 15 years ago
Well, I bit the bullet and bought the membership. I called it my "tax refund" gift to myself. I purchased the membership for Vertigo as well and I guess I was one of the lucky ones who was able to purchase GA tix that way. We'll see if I'm as lucky this go-round.
On another note: I was somewhat confused on the ticket price announcement. Good news that they are charging $30 on the low end. Here's what I'm not 100% sure about based on the various info out there (billboard.com; U2.com, etc.): I understand there are 10,000 $30 tix that will be held in reserve. Are these for GA SRO or something else? The $30 option appeals to me since money is tight these days, but I would think twice about this option if I could get in to GA SRO for $55...
kimmi - 15 years ago
It irks me that I have to pay $50 to be a member, just to be able to have a fair shot at getting tickets. I'm still undecided. Scalping should be illegal. Period. It's digusting how the scalping websites sell tickets at very inflated prices and end up making more profit from the concerts than the bands do.
Erin - 15 years ago
I am already a member- present from the little sis for my birthday. I don't know if it will be worth it, I've heard my share of the horror stories, but the idea of a new tour is extremely exciting!
Funny enough, I'm wearing a NIN shirt at the moment... Just thought I'd share that fun fact.
John Lambert - 15 years ago
Man, I love the new music and can't wait to hear it live...but on this issue I have to agree with Craig. I am about the music. The Nine Inch Nails concept appeals to me.
Craig - 15 years ago
it pisses me off a band the stature of U2 charges a membership fee for "rare" tracks and a supposed first crack at ticket purchases. we've spent hundreds to thousands of dollars on these guys over the years, and they are charging extra for good tickets? c'mon. like the scalpers won't get them first anyway. unlike radiohead, coldplay, etc., u2 no longer embrace their fans; they are charging us to embrace them!
Trevor - 15 years ago
I had the same problem as Jim Bob until I realized that my user name had to be in lower case (which wasn't the case before) once I did that I had no problems.
I agree that $50 is too much (you don't even get a t-shirt this time) but making it free (like Nine Inch Nails did) would make it a lot harder to get tickets, the demand is huge so charging $50 for the fan club weeds out a lot of casual (or poor) fans.
Unfortunately it's the only way to get around scalpers (who will join the fanclub anyway) hopefully they do the tickets like Nine Inch Nails did...it's the coolest ticket stub I have.
Tim - 15 years ago
Jim, make sure your membership hasn't already expired! - I had not logged-in for months, and I was able to with my old 'Used ID and Pass.' – I just did recently and a message appeared stating that my membership would be over in 7 days.
Jim Bob - 15 years ago
Well, I'd love to renew my membership if the new site allowed me to sign in using my existing user name and password! It won't accept them, I've tried several times today and as usual Fanfire don't answer your emails quickly nor pick the phone up so keep you waiting for ages on hold till you give up! Aaargh! Nightmare! Looks like I won't be joining then unless someone fixes this useless website at u2.com
Craig - 15 years ago
I'm 40, and this will be the first and probably last time I join. I've only seen one other live U2 show. As for the different packages of NLOTH, I'm buying one of the cheaper versions. You can get a digital version of the expensive box set on iTunes for under $20! Achtung Baby is my all time favorite, by U2 or any artist, and having a special edition wouldn't have affected that opinion. After all, it's all about the music, anyway.
Karen - 15 years ago
I agree w/ you Dave on that one, the live shows bring the experience of the songs to a new different level. Just like one of my favorites COBL, I could not have imagined that amazing beginning at the ‘V’ tour, just beautiful!
Dave - 15 years ago
I'm totally joining! - This one feels like it's going to be different… more mystical, full of surprises, I believe the songs will sound amazing in stadium/arena setting – along with a mix of some Vertigo songs, this will be a powerful tour. The U2 experience is never complete, unless you’ve been to the live shows.
Dave - 15 years ago
Im 42 yrs old. I dont do fan clubs. I spent the big bucks to get the deluxe version of No Line. I wont spend more on a fan site. If that means I dont get tickets to the concert...oh well. I'll just watch it on DVD. I really dont do concerts anymore unless the tickets are under 50...which means I see lesser name bands.
Miro - 15 years ago
I should confess that I was a member during the Vertigo tour and luckily escaped the ticket fiascos that affected so many other people I knew, so I've already had my fun.
This is bribery! U2.com is not worth $50 (or $32) for its services, and if the system ends up not being any better than was it was in the past, I see more tragedy. NIN's recent tour did things right: you signed up as a FREE member, you participated in the presale and got great tickets, and your tickets had YOUR NAME on them, so you had both a cool souvenir and the knowledge that you'd were surrounded by true fans who were as happy as you that the scalpers and cons didn't get a penny.
I did manage a while back to be finally able to sign on and renew my membership and am pleased that I got my priority access code to get my concert tickets sorted. What does hack me off though is I don't about most of you but I still have never received the CD "Medium Rare & Remastered" yet I see loads of people are selling it on Ebay! That doesn't seem right to me, I pointed this out to Fanfire who of course as usual are useless and aren't interested. Very disappointing!
I've been a paid subscriber since it was Propaganda, so I don't pay as much as a new subsriber would, but it does have it's advantages and disadvantages to the web-site. First, everytime I subscribe, they'll send me things that I know I wouldn't be able to get in stores or in any other web-sites. Second, I'm always the first to get tickets with great seats (GA-standing, next to the stage, also won the lotto to be in the eclipse at the Vegas show!). Third, I get 25% off on all their items that they sale. Fourth, I get to see rare footage, videos, live events, latest news, and hear audio on all their tracks that they've created. I guess their isn't any disadvantages to their web-site. It's worth being a true U2 fan since 1983. Thanks U2 for all that you've given us!
It's nice that 1 hour after the $50/person fanclub presale there are 20+ listings on ebay and craigslist. some people are selling more than 10 tickets. And the concerts are all sold out before the general sale. The scalpers have won. the band and fans have lost once again. i can't figure out why all bands aren't totally infuriated that losers on their computers are making more money from the concerts than they are.
I will never pay $ for the honor of fighting with scalpers for tickets during a presale. I hope someone with enough power gets really mad about this and stops it.
i agree with lampsey. bono seemed to take pride in the fact that they were working on a way to get cheaper tickets out to the fans. he also stated that the £30 tickets would probably be some of the best tickets available. i got 2 tickets for myself and my son for hampden and i am as far away from the stage as it can get. i was there for the vertigo tour in 2005 and it was probably the worst u2 gig of all time. i may as well have stood outside and listened. i saw u2 on the tube in 1983 when i was 12. under a blood red sky blew me away. and as far as the music is concerned they are still blowing me away now. ive seen u2 17 times. the last time i flew to madison square garden. and it was one of the best nights of my life. but just lately ive been starting to get a bad taste in my mouth about the whole marketing machine and the total disregard for the real fans. why bring out 5 versions of the new album? ill tell you why. money money money! they know the real fans will go out and buy every version. just like i have been doing for the last 26 years! and will continue to do until they decide they have had enough. another thing as well. i booked flights and accomadation to barcelona as soon as the tour dates were announced. then they sell out the first night.announce another date 2 days later. so now im scrambling around trying to rearange flights and an extra 2 nights accomadation.and guess what? i couldnt get a ticket! so not only am i going to barcelona without tickets. its costing me more money to do so as well! thanks bono for making my life a misery in the pursuit of my rock n roll dream. but everything is ok as long as you keep telling us how grateful you are for the life we have given you! sorry about the rant but some things need saying!
These are the idiotic comments this anus has made about U2 and NLOTH;
4 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
Relentlessly, doggedly prosaic, jejune and listless, March 5, 2009
By Steven Guy
I've never been a fan of U2, but there is not doubt about their appeal to millions and the fact that have written some memorable songs, irrespective of whether one likes them or not (I do not). However, I was curious about this new album and it has been playing no stop in my workplace for the last week.
So, what is it like?
Well, I honestly have to say that this is the least memorable album I've heard in a very long time. I've heard the album a lot and it has barely made any impression on me. It rather sounds like a U2 cover band attempting to sound like U2 with their own bunch of 3rd rate originals.
The album seems to be constructed from a group of new and old U2 musical "clichés" and a lot of very ordinary musical ideas. The lyrics aren't particularly interesting either.
I understand that Mr. Bono Vox has a "social conscience"? Well, if I was him, I would endeavour to discourage people from buying this third rate CD recording in these tough economic times and save their money for more important and entertaining things. Really, this is not an album one should be selling - it should either be given away for nothing or withdrawn and an apology made.
I know that neither of these things is likely.
PS: I have just been listening to Rokia Traoré's 2009 album, "Tchamantché", and boy-oh-boy! What a relief it is to listen to something powerful, touching, inventive, passionate, intelligent, emotional, stylish and delightfully rich and colourful after hearing U2's turgid, hapless, stale and melodically barren mess, "No Line On The Horizon"! Place your copy of "No Line" in the nearest available dumpster and get Rokia Traoré's album. Bono and the boys will ultimately thank you!
Guys & Gals
Just want to alert all U2 fans that there is some absolute idiot that keeps posting terrible reviews on Amazon.com (USA) having a real go at NLOTH and U2 fans in general. His name is Steven Guy in Australia and you can see his postings under the 1 star review on page 3. As a fan I don't think he should get away with it so please all band together and show him the distain he richly deserves.
Hypocrites.
Lie number 1:
Bono said that this time round the tickets would be cheaper because of the recession. Theyre not. Cheapest were 55 quid inc 6 quid booking fee making them a few quid dearer than last time for hampden park. (They even sold tickets at 80 for seat behind the stage where folk couldnt even see the band!)
Lie number 2:
Bono is a champion for equality. Then favours those with more money in this dispicable presale/member nonsense. They charge you 50 euros for the privilage of getting prefferential treatment. Sounds fare to me Bono. Yeah you can get first dibbs on the cheaper tickets if you stump up you cash NOW. Its psychological marketing. You think your getting something cheaper and better when you actually paying extra for the same thing everyone else gets. But ask them to contribute their own cash and theyll say...'bugger off were not paying tax after the first 250k is free because were 'artists''. No, your are no longer artists. Your just a company.
i joined straight away,no matter what the cost if you like something enough you will pay any price.ive been a u2 fan since 1987 when i bought a copy of the joshua tree on vinyl,took it home & did not stop playing it also with in a week i also bought the rest of there back catalogue,ive also been a member of there web site since 2000 & with every new membership each year comes a free album of rarities or live shows.so think how much it costs to buy a cd in a shop before saying that $32 is expensive.i also have now got my tickets(in the pre sale with no problem what so ever) to see u2 at wembley on augest 14
and me and the wife cant wait.oh and NO LINE ON THE HORIZON is a monster of an album its the best since ACHTUNG BABY,will also sound great live.
My answer is NO. I was a propaganda member (for what, like 20 bucks?) and got the magazine, and GA's to Elevation in Denver, and it was worth it. Just sent in the money order and my choices on the slip and lo, and behold, two tickets arrived at my house. I joined U2.com at it's inception, and when Vertigo came around... I couldn't buy ANYTHING in the fan "presale". But, I scored GA tix to three concerts during the regular sale. Thanks, but I'll take my chances. Ticketscalper, I mean Ticketmaster already takes too much of my hard-earned money. It shouldn't cost anything for them to give their fans this opportunity, but they'll keep thanking us for "giving them a good life." Indeed.
Well, I bit the bullet and bought the membership. I called it my "tax refund" gift to myself. I purchased the membership for Vertigo as well and I guess I was one of the lucky ones who was able to purchase GA tix that way. We'll see if I'm as lucky this go-round.
On another note: I was somewhat confused on the ticket price announcement. Good news that they are charging $30 on the low end. Here's what I'm not 100% sure about based on the various info out there (billboard.com; U2.com, etc.): I understand there are 10,000 $30 tix that will be held in reserve. Are these for GA SRO or something else? The $30 option appeals to me since money is tight these days, but I would think twice about this option if I could get in to GA SRO for $55...
It irks me that I have to pay $50 to be a member, just to be able to have a fair shot at getting tickets. I'm still undecided. Scalping should be illegal. Period. It's digusting how the scalping websites sell tickets at very inflated prices and end up making more profit from the concerts than the bands do.
I am already a member- present from the little sis for my birthday. I don't know if it will be worth it, I've heard my share of the horror stories, but the idea of a new tour is extremely exciting!
Funny enough, I'm wearing a NIN shirt at the moment... Just thought I'd share that fun fact.
Man, I love the new music and can't wait to hear it live...but on this issue I have to agree with Craig. I am about the music. The Nine Inch Nails concept appeals to me.
it pisses me off a band the stature of U2 charges a membership fee for "rare" tracks and a supposed first crack at ticket purchases. we've spent hundreds to thousands of dollars on these guys over the years, and they are charging extra for good tickets? c'mon. like the scalpers won't get them first anyway. unlike radiohead, coldplay, etc., u2 no longer embrace their fans; they are charging us to embrace them!
I had the same problem as Jim Bob until I realized that my user name had to be in lower case (which wasn't the case before) once I did that I had no problems.
I agree that $50 is too much (you don't even get a t-shirt this time) but making it free (like Nine Inch Nails did) would make it a lot harder to get tickets, the demand is huge so charging $50 for the fan club weeds out a lot of casual (or poor) fans.
Unfortunately it's the only way to get around scalpers (who will join the fanclub anyway) hopefully they do the tickets like Nine Inch Nails did...it's the coolest ticket stub I have.
Jim, make sure your membership hasn't already expired! - I had not logged-in for months, and I was able to with my old 'Used ID and Pass.' – I just did recently and a message appeared stating that my membership would be over in 7 days.
Well, I'd love to renew my membership if the new site allowed me to sign in using my existing user name and password! It won't accept them, I've tried several times today and as usual Fanfire don't answer your emails quickly nor pick the phone up so keep you waiting for ages on hold till you give up! Aaargh! Nightmare! Looks like I won't be joining then unless someone fixes this useless website at u2.com
I'm 40, and this will be the first and probably last time I join. I've only seen one other live U2 show. As for the different packages of NLOTH, I'm buying one of the cheaper versions. You can get a digital version of the expensive box set on iTunes for under $20! Achtung Baby is my all time favorite, by U2 or any artist, and having a special edition wouldn't have affected that opinion. After all, it's all about the music, anyway.
I agree w/ you Dave on that one, the live shows bring the experience of the songs to a new different level. Just like one of my favorites COBL, I could not have imagined that amazing beginning at the ‘V’ tour, just beautiful!
I'm totally joining! - This one feels like it's going to be different… more mystical, full of surprises, I believe the songs will sound amazing in stadium/arena setting – along with a mix of some Vertigo songs, this will be a powerful tour. The U2 experience is never complete, unless you’ve been to the live shows.
Im 42 yrs old. I dont do fan clubs. I spent the big bucks to get the deluxe version of No Line. I wont spend more on a fan site. If that means I dont get tickets to the concert...oh well. I'll just watch it on DVD. I really dont do concerts anymore unless the tickets are under 50...which means I see lesser name bands.
I should confess that I was a member during the Vertigo tour and luckily escaped the ticket fiascos that affected so many other people I knew, so I've already had my fun.
This is bribery! U2.com is not worth $50 (or $32) for its services, and if the system ends up not being any better than was it was in the past, I see more tragedy. NIN's recent tour did things right: you signed up as a FREE member, you participated in the presale and got great tickets, and your tickets had YOUR NAME on them, so you had both a cool souvenir and the knowledge that you'd were surrounded by true fans who were as happy as you that the scalpers and cons didn't get a penny.