at 15:30 on March 10, 2009, EDT.
By Andrea Baillie, THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO - It looks like U2 has lost its taste for Apple in favour of BlackBerry.

Canadian company Research in Motion, which makes the BlackBerry, has announced it will sponsor the Irish supergroup's upcoming tour.

U2 previously had a highly publicized relationship with Apple.

"This tour announcement marks the first stage of a relationship and shared vision between RIM and U2 that we expect will lead to new and innovative ways to enhance the mobile music experience on the BlackBerry platform for U2 fans," U2 manager Paul McGuinness said in a statement.

"We look forward to sharing more details as the relationship unfolds."

The "360 Degrees" tour, in support of the band's new album "No Line on the Horizon," will open June 30 in Barcelona. It's set to come to Toronto on Sept. 16.

"No Line on the Horizon," released last week, is U2's first album in five years. They've been heavily promoting it, including a recent week-long stint on David Letterman's "Late Show."

U2's deal with BlackBerry has caused a stir because of the band's longstanding alliance with competitor Apple.

In 2004, Bono and guitarist the Edge joined Apple founder Steve Jobs to unveil a special red and black U2 iPod embossed with autographs from the band members. Apple also ran television commercials featuring the group's hit song "Vertigo."

"We want our audience to have a more intimate online relationship with the band, and Apple can help us do that," Bono said at the time.

Added the Edge: "iPod and iTunes look like the future to me and it's good for everybody involved in music."

Since then, however, Bono has become involved with Apple rival Elevation Partners, a major shareholder for Palm Inc., which makes smart phones.

In addition to the sponsorship announcement, RIM also revealed details of the tour, including admission prices that reflect the worldwide economic slump.

McGuinness said that at least 10,000 tickets at every venue will be priced in the $30 range - considered a rock-bottom price for a band of U2's stature.

He also touted the unique 360-degree stage on which U2 will play. Fans can take a virtual tour of the stage at U2.com.

"U2 has always been at their best when surrounded by their audience," said McGuinness. "This staging takes a giant leap forward."

Supporting acts on the tour will include Kaiser Chiefs, Snow Patrol and Black Eyed Peas.


©The Canadian Press, 2009

Like apple give a shit about U2.

Apple make more in a month than that whole tour would in its full run.

get over yourselves U2, you've out-stayed your welcome. fuck off.

xperience319 said:

Overreact much? I doubt it was an intentional slap in the face to Apple. Moreover, the band certainly hasn't hinted that their relationship with Apple was anything but for the U2 Ipod/Vertio commercial. Apple didn't sponsor the 2004/2005 tour. This is just the media sensationalizing a story to sell magazines.

u2 wasn't in an agreement with apple, ever. they didn't get paid for the stuff they did with apple, aside from the massive amounts of free press and record sales it benefited from (ie, their admittedly high sales for atomic bomb as compared to other releases). apple didn't sponsor their tour or their record. they shared mutually advantageous business relationship which ran its course. what's the drama for?