U2 concert Ticket Requests and Diplomatic Efforts Revealed in State Papers
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Newly released State Papers reveal a series of communications between the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and U2 officials regarding concert tickets during the band’s 1987 American tour, and efforts to secure a performance slot in Sydney. The documents highlight a complex exchange involving promises of lobbying for a Sydney concert, initially generous offers of tickets, and subsequent scaling back of availability, causing some diplomatic awkwardness.
Initial Collaboration and Ticket Offers
The relationship between U2 and the DFA began with a mutual understanding: the band would perhaps benefit from diplomatic support in securing a concert in a newly reopened outdoor stadium in Sydney, Australia. In return, U2 offered a selection of highly sought-after tickets for their nearly 80 concerts across America to Irish diplomats and officials.
Initially, the band indicated a willingness to provide “a certain number – perhaps 50-60” backstage seats per city for the Ambassador or consul on the tour. https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0102/1423844-u2-state-papers/ This offer was intended to facilitate networking and goodwill during the tour.
Ticket Availability Adjustments and Diplomatic Concerns
However, the initial enthusiasm proved to be overly optimistic. Subsequent correspondence revealed that officials had overestimated the number of tickets U2 would be able to provide. Clarification followed, first suggesting the “50-60” figure applied across multiple dates within each city, and then a telex confirmed a more limited offering of ten tickets per show.the band explained this reduction was due to logistical constraints, stating they “cannot handle the larger number.”
This reduction in ticket availability prompted a response from DFA headquarters on April 3rd, acknowledging the situation. The message stated, “You will appreciate that there is little can be done about U-turn by band in this matter.” In an attempt to mitigate potential embarrassment, headquarters suggested diplomats ask their U2 contact if a few additional tickets could be allocated if the situation became problematic.
Sydney Concert lobbying
Alongside the ticket requests, the DFA was also engaged in efforts to support U2’s desire to play a concert in Sydney. The band expressed interest in performing at the newly reopened stadium, and DFA officials pledged to lobby on their behalf. https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/0102/u2-asked-irish-diplomats-to-lobby-for-sydney-concert-state-papers-reveal/
Key Takeaways
* The state Papers reveal a collaborative relationship between U2 and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs in 1987.
* Initial promises of a significant number of concert tickets were scaled back due to logistical limitations.
* The DFA engaged in efforts to lobby for U2 to secure a concert slot in Sydney, Australia.
* The documents highlight the complexities of managing expectations and maintaining diplomatic relationships during such collaborations.
These newly released documents offer a glimpse into the intersection of music, diplomacy, and the practical challenges of fulfilling ambitious requests.while the outcome of the Sydney concert lobbying efforts isn’t explicitly detailed in the reports, the correspondence provides valuable insight into the workings of cultural diplomacy and the behind-the-scenes negotiations involved in supporting Irish artists on the international stage.