A Peek Behind U2’s Curtain

Fogel, who has toured everyone from Rush to Lady Gaga to the reunited Police and is the subject of the documentary “Who The F**k Is Arthur Fogel,” gave us a quick rundown of Live Nation’s summer touring schedule, U2’s decision to return to arenas, ticketing models and what happened to the three, massive Spaceship stages of the 360 Tour. 

The media always covers U2 tours. Anything stand out this time around?

I think, generally, what’s been written since the tour opened in mid-May in Vancouver is a whole bunch of really incredible reviews in every market the band has played so far. I thin.

It really is a great show, and I think the band worked hard to get ready, musically, and the creative team has done an amazing job of putting together a show with groundbreaking elements but also finding that balance between the simple musical presentation and the use of the technology.

Although you’re known for tours with large productions, was there a conscious effort after the 360 Tour to shift this back to a more intimate space?

The media always covers U2 tours. Anything stand out this time around?

I think, generally, what’s been written since the tour opened in mid-May in Vancouver is a whole bunch of really incredible reviews in every market the band has played so far. I thin are doing shows right now, and Rush. For Live Nation, it’s peak season at the amphitheatres, festivals here and in Europe. There are a lot of shows. Generally, there is a lot of excitement for shows; it’s a really healthy and exciting time in our business.

Any thoughts regarding the passing of U2’s longtime tour manager, Dennis Sheehan?

He was with the band for so long, and he was a great human being. It was pretty traumatic for everybody but when something like that happens and you’re midstream, you got to keep going. I think everybody’s pulled together and we’re moving forward but it was very difficult. He was a wonderful man.

Any one up-and-comer act that we should be paying attention to?

I don’t think there’s any “one.” To me, what’s exciting is that over the past three or four years there’s been a great explosion of talent. I think the business is in a very healthy place. There was a time about four, five years ago where everyone was going, “Oh God! Doomsday!” but between then and now there has been an emergence of great talent and the business is in a healthy place.

Ten years ago, everyone said that when the Rolling Stones quit touring, that was it. There wouldn’t be any more acts like that, but I don’t hear that anymore.

I think that’s true. We live in an industry of cycles and it takes a while to regenerate artists, and regenerate audiences. I think we lose sight of that and get impatient. But it absolutely happens and we’re in the midst of it happening big time. I think it’s great for all of us.

Final thoughts?

I just think we’re in the middle of a fantastic run of U2 that ends in the middle of July with eight shows in New York. Tonight is show four of a five-show run in Chicago and then we start up in Europe in September. The shows are so great; it’s really exciting. There’s a reason why they’re seen as one of the great live bands in the history of our business, and they’re absolutely proving it.