U2 plays a free Berlin Wall concert behind the backdrop of a different wall constructed by MTV to prevent those without tickets from watching U2 play a free Berlin Wall concert
Here’s some news you really can’t make up: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Cool, right? Well, MTV apparently thought so, and decided that it would mark the occasion during tonight’s European Music Awards by having U2 perform a free 20-minute concert in front of the Brandenburg Gate, the one remaining piece of the famed Berlin wall. Cool, right?
Ironically, however, only 10,000 tickets were made available (and not surprisingly, were snatched up pretty quick) and those without one will be be prevented from seeing the show by a two-meter high barrier. Talking about living up to the theme of the evening!
A spokesperson for Berlin’s city government told the Irish Times that blocking the view was MTV’s idea.“I find it rather unfortunate and unusual for organisers of a free concert –- particularly one of this nature –- to demand such a barrier,” said a city spokesperson.
MTV’s Nicola Haake countered with the following statement: “We are asking fans without tickets to watch the concert on television… The barrier is for security reasons and to contain the crowd, allowing the surrounding shops and restaurant to continue trading.”
That, said, MTV was unable to say why the concert was being staged on Pariser Platz, on the eastern side of the gate, rather than the Tiergarten park side, where there are no space problems and no businesses to be disturbed.
Bono, well, he hasn’t said anything. He’s probably still all chocked up about No Line On the Horizon’s lack of album sales.
Anyhow, with at least one wall still standing, the Times went on to offer this helpful piece of advice: “Anyone without a ticket for this evening in Berlin has several options: book a room with a view at the Hotel Adlon; seek sanctuary at the French or US embassies; visit the exhibitions at the Academy of the Arts; or talk your way in.”
But we can’t end this completely inane news story without one positive piece of info. So, let’s note that four days from now, on November 9th, Bon Jovi will come to the rescue when the New Jersey outfit performs its new single, “Weren’t Born to Follow”, at a separate Berlin Wall event. You know, the song which was apparently inspired by the wall’s destruction and spawned this incredibly awesome music video…
Cool, right? Alright, maybe not, but at least it’s better than a giant wall preventing the view of a performance celebrating the collapase of a different giant wall…
Anyone else think that the wall is being set up so people will tear it down? They are probably going to film the whole thing for U2’s next music video, and a bunch of “fans” tearing down walls to see their beloved “prophets” could be one hell of a publicity stunt. The only difference? The Berlin wall coming down was massive moment in human understanding, a flimsy removable fence coming down is way to grab headlines en route to cash to feed U2’s ego. Also the music and the message isn’t as unique as it used to be.
Another reason proving the members of U2 are a bunch of wet douche bags!!! GO AWAY ALREADY!
I thought people would be much more offended that MTV was forcing Berliners to hear U2..
I mean, is it not simply a humanitarian act to try and build a wall in an attempt to contain Bono’s massive ego, therefore preventing it from destroying yet another part of the world?
I want to hear David Byrne’s comments on this one.
b: Awesome…just awesome
maybe one of the walls will fall over on bono!
Well this is remotely hilarious. Heard it on WTMD this morning. Seriously, people? Celebrate the removal of a wall by putting up barriers? The irony escapes me, I think.
MTV + U2 = conglomerate disaster. And I like U2!
mtv is so past their prime…. they don’t have even an inkling of power in the music world. they used to make bands big, now they don’t play bands at all….
mtv disgusts me. its so depressing to go back on youtube and see videos of unplugged sessions with tremendous artists and the prgrams they produced that actually mattered. now its all quick profit ideas and suits. awful
I didn’t think MTV still aired music. Thought they would have done a “Real World Berlin Wall” or “Super Sweet 16 Berlin Wall”.
just wow