U2 concert cancelled after gun scare

The Globe Arena in Stockholm was evacuated at around 8pm on the 19th September over a security threat. It is reported that a gunman gained access to the arena after he claimed to be an off-duty police officer. When Arena security realised their error, a full evacuation was ordered. The concert has been reportedly re-scheduled for Tuesday evening.
http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/music-news/u2-gig-in-stockholm-evacuated-as-suspected-gunman-enters-arena-claiming-to-be-police-31543386.html

Bono bike crash bad but recovery prospects good

Bono's cycle crash in New York, which forced U2 to cancel their planned 'Tonight Show' residency has also resulted in the singer undergoing extensive surgery.  NYC based trauma surgeon Dean Lorich has revealed that there were fractures to Bono's eye socket, shoulder blade, little finger and his upper arm and he had to insert three metal plates and eighteen screws into the singer's elbow. Releasing all the details in the form of a statement via Rolling Stone, Lorich added that Bono "will require intensive and progressive therapy, however a full recovery is expected". 

U2 and Apple giveaway prompts criticism - and no sales

With a new 'delete all' available to non U2 fans who have had the band's latest album 'Songs Of Innocence' inserted (albeit for free) into their iTunes account by Apple, comes news that the Entertainment Retailers Association are non too pleased with Apple's big U2 giveaway, saying that even back catalogue was not really affected by the promotion saying that Official Charts Company data shows that just 6,047 sales of the band's pre-existing nineteen albums followed the giveway - and of those 6000 odd sales, just 60 transactions took place in high street stores (possibly because said shops had no warning about the Apple tie-up, so stocks were low). ERA Chairman Paul Quirk said: "This vindicates our view that giving away hundreds of millions of albums simply devalues music and runs the risk of alienating the 60% of the population who are not customers of iTunes. If one of the justifications of this stunt is that it would drive sales of U2's catalogue through the market as a whole, then so far at least it has been a dismal failure" adding "This promotion is a failure on so many levels. It devalues music, it alienates the majority of people who don't use iTunes and it disappoints those who prefer to shop in physical stores since few shops had U2 stock available".

It has been reported the band may have been paid $100 million for the give way by Apple - But there has been a considerable backlash with several high profile outlets including the Washington Post and LA Times questioning the move. Many iPhone users have complained about the album downloading onto their expensive devices without their permission. Some even described it as a virus.

McGuinness and Oseary to merge in Live Nation

More management news: The managers of U2 and Madonna are close to merging their respective management companies into a new venture that will sit within the Live Nation empire, according to various media reports. Paul McGuinness will merge his Principle Management business with Guy Oseary's Maverick company, with the former becoming Chairman of the new firm and the latter the more hands-on CEO. That would see Oseary become involved in the day-to-day management of U2's affairs, all within the Live Nation family.

U2 top Forbes cash haul list

The latest Forbes list of the most highly paid music stars is out, showing just what Forbes estimates they have raked in over the last twenlve months before tax and commissions. U2 top the list with earnings from their 360 degree tour and the other twenty five cash rich rockers are:

1. U2 ($195 million)
2. Bon Jovi ($125 million)
3. Elton John ($100 million)
4. Lady Gaga ($90 million)
5. Michael Buble ($70 million)
6. Paul McCartney ($67 million)
7. Black Eyed Peas ($61 million)
8. Eagles ($60 million)
9. Justin Bieber ($53 million)
10. Dave Matthews Band ($51 million)
11. Toby Keith ($50 million)
12. Usher ($46 million)
13. Taylor Swift $45 million)
14. Katy Perry ($44 million)
15. Brad Paisley ($40 million)
16. Tom Petty & the Heartbreaks ($38 million)
17. Jay-Z ($38 million)
18. AC/DC ($35 million)
18. Sean "Diddy" Combs ($35 million)
18. Beyonce ($35 million)
18. Tim McGraw ($35 million)
18. Muse ($35 million)
23. Rascal Flatts ($34 million)
24. Kenny Chesney ($30 million)
25. Rihanna ($29 million)

U2's 360 Degree tour highest grossing ever

U2's 360 Degree global tour is now the highest grossing tour ever, overtaking the Rolling Stones, whose 2005-2007 Bigger Bang tour previously held the record. Ticket sales at U2's show in Sao Paulo this weekend took revenues above the $558 million the Stones tour made over its three years, even despite the postponements caused by Bono's bad back last year. According to reports, by the time U2 complete the forthcoming North American leg of their 360 Degree tour the gross will be over $700 million.