It was announced Monday that U2 would finally be making its way back to Nashville after 30 years of passing the Music City on their global tours. They will be playing at Vanderbilt’s Hawkin’s Field on July 2, 2011, with their brand new 360° tour set to launch next year. The band hasn’t played in this city since 1981, before they were ever named international superstars. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Oct. 29, through TicketMaster, LiveNation, or Vanderbilt’s box office.
U2 resonates with many generations. Clint Williams, Lipscomb’s coordinator of enrollment information, remembers listening to U2 a long time ago.
“U2’s album Boy was the second cassette tape I ever bought,” Williams said. “They had a huge impact on my musical taste. I’m super excited about U2 coming to Nashville. Right now I’m still debating the cost of good seats and overall experience, but it will be such an awesome concert!”
Daniel Jordan, a freshman from Bossier City, La., went to their concert last October in Dallas, and is excited that they’re making their way to Music City.
“Their concert experience is unlike any other,” Jordan said. “The music paired with the sets is really moving. It’s definitely something you won’t want to miss.”
Classically dubbed a “second-tier” city, Nashville has historically been skipped over by big-name acts. But lately, Music City has been getting its fair share of big names. Recent acts have included Coldplay, Justin Bieber and even Paul McCartney. In the next year Nashville will host Lady GaGa, Michael Bublé and John Mellencamp, to name a few.
Artists have begun recognizing Nashville as a big-ticket city and are now more likely to come here for concerts. This is huge for college students who are always ready to jam out to their favorite bands, and could also be a selling point to potential students as a reason to come to Nashville.
Carrie Underwood recently played in Nashville and gave Music City a taste of what a big-ticket show is like, complete with a truck that soared above the audience, graphics and a stage that transformed several times. Big fans of Underwood definitely weren’t disappointed.
Emily Snell, a junior journalism major, was very excited about attending the concert.
“The concert was great,” Snell said. “I’m amazed at her ability to sing with so much power and passion for such a long time. She did a great job of incorporating Nashville into the concert as well, like showing images from the Grand Ole Opry. It was a great night!”
Nashville is sure to have an exciting musical future to add to its historic musical past.