By Albert Schwartz Well, we’ve got great news for U2 fans. Do you remember when the band had their own YouTube channel… Yes… No…. Maybe… Okay… Oh, you have heard about it. Now you can hear about it again. Yes folks, its back. YouTube, Island Records, Interscope, UMe, and UMC has relaunched the heavily sought after channel. They tell us that they will be updating it weekly with classic videos as well as new footage we’ve never ever seen before, all remastered in HD. The relaunch kicks off with a remastered version of “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the band’s GRAMMY® Award winning 10th album release, All That You Can’t Leave Behind. This video will be remastered in 4K as a premium music video (PMV). The premiere of this video and channel took place last month on Friday, September 18th. Talk about the remastering of these videos first came into play in 2019 when YouTube and the Universal Music Group announced plans to take on the undertaking of remixing and remastering some of U2s videos. They wanted to ensure that future generations of fans, as well as the old ones would be able to enjoy the countless hours of enjoyment that these videos would provide. And now, U2 itself has partnered up with them to provide the ultimate fan experience. To be perfectly honest with you, I find this very exciting. U2 has always been a groundbreaking force when it comes to their videos, and now I’ll finally have a chance to check them all out. All this happens as the band readies to celebrate its 40th Anniversary. I’ve been told that besides the classic remastered videos, there will also be unreleased live footage, along with some behind-the-scenes action. Now that sounds exciting. Some of the videos are even going to be remixed and remastered to 4k when possible. We’re not talking just a handful of videos, we’re talking about hundreds of new and upgraded videos. U2 fans are just going to eat this up. It’s going to be fantastic. U2 has always been known for having groundbreaking videos produced and filmed by some of the finest cinematographers around. This well definitely be the ultimate fan experience. The Edge said, “U2 has worked with some incredible filmmakers and directors over the years and it’s always been a lot of fun. Like a lot of people, I’m partial to a tumble down a YouTube rabbit hole…I hope you enjoy.” David Joseph, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music UK, said, “From the stunning realization of their live shows to their timeless photography and album art, U2’s visual output has always been outstanding. Their passion for film shines through in all their videos, and it’s been a huge pleasure to work with them to bring them together in the highest possible quality. This channel is going to serve as a brilliant showcase of the band’s ever-evolving creative vision.” Lyor Cohen, Global Head of Music at YouTube said, “U2 has created some of the
U2 To Relaunch Official YouTube Channel most legendary video content of all time throughout their career. We are stoked to be working with them on enhancing their video catalog so that U2 fans around the world can experience their art in the best possible quality, for generations to come.”
‘The Hands That Built America’, featured in Gangs of New York. In 2014 U2 was nominated for an Oscar for ‘Ordinary Love’ from the film Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom. They also took home the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
Bruce Resnikoff, President & CEO, UMe, added, “Throughout their career, U2 has continually set the bar for the highest possible standards, so it’s fitting the band’s iconic videos are receiving the same treatment. We’re thrilled to work with the band to celebrate the anniversary of one of their most popular albums, and we can’t wait to share all of the amazing content that we have planned with fans on the band’s YouTube channel.”
To this day U2 has managed to always stay on top. With the release of U2’s 14th album, Songs Of Experience in 2017, the band managed to have the album enter the Billboard 200 chart at the #1 position. This became a history making moment for the band, as they became the only band in history to top the chart in four consecutive decades. And as the band continues to tour, they sell out shows everywhere. During their 2019 Joshua Tree Tour, not only did they visit New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, they also went on to perform in Singapore, Seoul, Manila, and Mumbai for the very first time.
From their humble beginnings in 1978, U2 has created some of the most momentous experiences in music History and become one of the biggest acts on the planet. The band has And now as we finish out this article, amassed an amazing 22 GRAMMY® Awards we’re told that SiriusXM and U2 have and sold over 157 million albums since their announced plans for U2 X-Radio. Despite inception. On top of that, they have gone on everything going on in the world today, it to receive numerous awards, such as, an Oscar certainly is going to be a ground-breaking year nomination, and the Amnesty International for U2. Check out the new U2 YouTube Ambassador of Conscience. In 2003 they won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, Channel and U2 X-Radio on SiriusXM. October 2020 • Rock and Blues International 57
