U2 to release Wide Awake In Europe
We've all known this release was coming for a while, but it wasn't until now that U2.com have actually confirmed that U2 are releasing a live EP called Wide Awake In Europe.
The EP will feature the first ever official release of Mercy as the a-side, recorded in Brussels on 22 September 2010. Mercy will be backed by performances of Crazy Tonight and Moment Of Surrender. The EP is being released to support Record Store Day, 26 November (which, at the time of writing, U2.com incorrectly claims is 23 November). It is a limited edition vinyl release, with only 5,000 copies available.
So, if you are in North America, head out to your local independent record store to pick up Wide Awake In Europe - and some copies are also being sent to shops in the UK and Ireland. Those of us in the rest of the world? Well, if you're reading this, you clearly have the Internet at your disposal. You hopefully know what to do.
Obviously, the title of this EP is a reference to U2's 1985 EP, Wide Awake In America. Although it went on to have a worldwide release, WAIA was originally primarily intended for the American market, just like this year's release. However, both EPs were actually recorded in Europe. Despite Wide Awake In America's name, the two live tracks were recorded in the UK. A Sort Of Homecoming hails from the soundcheck on 15 November 1984, London, while Bad is from the Birmingham gig a few days previously on 12 November 1984. Some cheekier commentators may suggest that Wide Awake In Europe's recordings should have been taken from a 2009 American show!
The EP will feature the first ever official release of Mercy as the a-side, recorded in Brussels on 22 September 2010. Mercy will be backed by performances of Crazy Tonight and Moment Of Surrender. The EP is being released to support Record Store Day, 26 November (which, at the time of writing, U2.com incorrectly claims is 23 November). It is a limited edition vinyl release, with only 5,000 copies available.
So, if you are in North America, head out to your local independent record store to pick up Wide Awake In Europe - and some copies are also being sent to shops in the UK and Ireland. Those of us in the rest of the world? Well, if you're reading this, you clearly have the Internet at your disposal. You hopefully know what to do.
Obviously, the title of this EP is a reference to U2's 1985 EP, Wide Awake In America. Although it went on to have a worldwide release, WAIA was originally primarily intended for the American market, just like this year's release. However, both EPs were actually recorded in Europe. Despite Wide Awake In America's name, the two live tracks were recorded in the UK. A Sort Of Homecoming hails from the soundcheck on 15 November 1984, London, while Bad is from the Birmingham gig a few days previously on 12 November 1984. Some cheekier commentators may suggest that Wide Awake In Europe's recordings should have been taken from a 2009 American show!
Posted on by Axver