A wall was erected ostensibly as a safety measure but also shielded the view and muffled the sound for thousands of fans who went to Berlin without one of the 10,000 free tickets for the band's four-song show. Walls are a touchy subject in Berlin and a rock band known for its social conscience made a serious gaffe in playing behind such a barrier in the formerly divided city. The AP reported that the symbolism was not lost on concertgoers.
Fans have blasted the metal wall in news reports and local politicians questioned the move, but U2's publicist declined to comment to the Associated Press. MTV, which organized the concert, called the wall a safety measure for attendees.
U2 scored one of its most commercially and critically lauded albums in 1991 after the group visited Berlin as the wall was being torn down and channeled the energy for the record "Achtung Baby." On 1987's "Where the Streets Have No Name," lead singer Bono sings about wanting to "tear down the walls that hold me inside." He should've started with the metal barrier surrounding him before taking the stage in Berlin.
Concert blogger Jay Smith quipped: "At least this wall comes down after the show. Unlike its more infamous predecessor which stood for 28 years."
(Image via Billboard)