Random Notes Chicago
Random Notes Chicago
Random Notes Chicago

Random Notes, Chicago

What a week in Chicago: a birthday, four shows and live concert shoot.Introducing 'Miracle Drug' Bono spoke of U2's relationship with their Chicago audiences, reflecting on past and present.

13 May 2005
What a week in Chicago: a birthday, four shows and live concert shoot.

Miracle City
Introducing 'Miracle Drug' Bono spoke of U2's relationship with their Chicago audiences, reflecting on past and present.

'We don't really look back that much in our music. We don't look at the past but the best bits of our past we try to bring with us.
They're our songs - songs like 'Pride in the Name of Love', songs like 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', songs like 'Where the Streets Have No Name' - they are the best bits of the past and we'll take them with us.'

Miracle Drug was dedicated to Chicago: 'Because we're interested and we're excited and we have faith in the future. That's where we're headed. So for a city of the future, this is our music...'

Miracle Man
On the first night of filming, the second show in Chicago, Bono spoke eloquently of his love for Chicago and Miles Davis in particular.
'I fell in love in Chicago. I fell in love in a hotel room in Chicago listening to Miles Davis...didn't understand Miles Davis or how his music could make me feel until I was sitting in this hotel room looking out the window at this city. An Irish boy, 24 years old. And just looking around Chicago I kinda' understood Miles Davis somehow...'

Miracle Girl
Laura wanted to hear 'Party Girl' and got the call up to the elipse stage to play guitar with Bono. Laura went down a storm. It wasn't the last we'd be seeing of Laura. For the third show, second night of filming for the live concert DVD, she was back. Being Bono's birthday, 'Party Girl' was back too and Laura got up and joined the band on stage again to play guitar - as Bono broke open the champagne and sprayed the audience. 'Original of the Species' was also in tonight, dedicated to 'Jojo' - Bono's daughter Jordon - who shares her dad's birthday.

Miracle Shoot
Two nights of filming for a live concert DVD in the windy city. Director Hamish Hamilton looked pretty happy after the filming of night two, Chicago show three. And if his previous work with the band - 'Elevation: Live from Boston' and 'U2 Go Home: Live from Slane Castle' - is any indication, the results will be sensational.

Miracle Encore
Bono explained that 'encore' comes from the Italian 'encora' which means 'again'. Traditionally it means that the most popular number was played again. 'It's what we used to do. We would do it because we didn't have enough songs!' So Vertigo gets its encore, the final song of a great show.

MORE NEWS

ALL NEWS
Carnaval De Luz Indie Record Store Edition
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

Limited Edition Third Man Records Yellow Vinyl of New Album Arrives November 13 at Independent Record Stores

30 SEP 2026
Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr.
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Central Bank of Ireland launches U2 commemorative coin marking 50 years since the band's formation.

28 SEP 2026
Fifty
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Live in Dublin fifty years on. Pat Carty was there for U2.com.

27 SEP 2026
'CARNAVAL DE LUZ' - New Album In November.
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The band's first studio album in nine years will be released on November 13th. Silencio, second track from...

24 SEP 2026
It’s Arrived (with a surprise)
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVES

The Days of Ash Propaganda Magazine & EP bundle is here… complete with a bonus Easter Lily edition...

17 SEP 2026
'2027 Persons of the Year'
HEARTS + MINDS

Band to be honoured by Musicares for 'five decades of musical achievement and humanitarian service'

10 SEP 2026
’Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah’
COMPILATIONS

Release of Pogues cover today, Friday, from stellar line up for '20th Century Paddy - The Songs Of...

28 AUG 2026
'Fireflies'
COLLABORATIONS

Out today!  Martin Garrix teams up with U2 on new track 'Fireflies', debuted live with Edge at Tomorrowland...

24 JUL 2026
'In a place called Mexico…'

Behind-the-scenes with band and crew on the shoot for 'Street of Dreams'.

17 JUL 2026
Street Of Dreams - The New Single is Here.
SINGLES

Listen to Street of Dreams, the first single from the band's upcoming studio album.

07 JUL 2026
’BALLROOM BOOM’
TV

'Ballroom Boom' screening at the Galway Film Fleadh this Thursday.

07 JUL 2026
What a wonder. They're calling it "The Obamalisk"
BONO

Bono and Edge performing City of Blinding Lights at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in...

22 JUN 2026
SHOWING 12 OF 4770 STORIES KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE ↓

LATEST COMMENTS

THE NEW ALBUM
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The new album. Out 13 November 2026.

PRE-ORDER

SUBSCRIBE TO U2.COM

Special editorial and video, exclusive newsletters and events, 25% coupon for the shop and first access to ticket sales when the band tour.