The Rolling Stones set the mark for the highest stage for a touring band with their A Bigger Band tour, then U2 came along and doubled it – topping off at 164 feet. Nicknamed “the claw,” the steel framed 360º stage took 3.5 days to construct and requires 120 semi-trucks to transport it. U2 plans on purchasing carbon offsets for their world-wide tour, an estimated 65,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide – equal to the amount emitted in flying a passenger plane to Mars. The cost of construction for the stage is between €15 million and €20 million each; yes, there are three in all.
Smoke poured from all four legs of the stage as Bowie’s Space Oddity blasted out high overhead moments before the lights were cut off.
Then the thing came to life and everyone took pictures.
It was a spectacle to be sure. Unfortunately we, freeloading press photographer folk, were ushered out after the third song. I was told that the massive screen in the middle actually descended and spread out, changing it’s form to unimaginable configurations. Figures.
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