U2 cancels Paris concert set for HBO special
Bono performs at the Forum in May as part of U2’s Innocence + Experience tour.
In the aftermath of the attacks in Paris, U2 has canceled its concert there that was set to air Saturday on HBO, the band announced Friday night.
FULL COVERAGE: Paris terror attacks
The Irish rock group was set to perform on Saturday at Paris’ AccorHotels as part of its Innocence + Experience tour, which the network was going to tape live to air delayed in the U.S. for a prime-time special.
“As a result of the ongoing state of emergency across France, the U2 Paris concert scheduled for 14th November will not be going ahead as planned. U2 and Live Nation, along with HBO who were due to live broadcast the Saturday concert, are fully resolved to go ahead with this show at an appropriate time,” U2 wrote in a statement.
U2 had already performed in Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday and were also scheduled to play Sunday. The band has yet to announce the status of Sunday’s show or whether or not HBO will film it.
The venue where the band was set to play is less than 3 miles from the Bataclan concert hall where gunmen opened fire during a sold-out show for the Southern California band Eagles of Death Metal, killing dozens, in one of several attacks across the French capital. About 120 people were killed in all.
“We watched in disbelief and shock at the unfolding events in Paris and our hearts go out to all the victims and their families across the city tonight,” U2 wrote from Paris. “We are devastated at the loss of life at the Eagles of Death Metal concert and our thoughts and prayers are with the band and their fans. And we hope and pray that all of our fans in Paris are safe.”
All members of Eagles of Death Metal are safe and accounted for.
For more music news follow me on Twitter: @gerrickkennedy
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