andPOP » Rock Band

U2 Planning Another Tour

Sara Harowitz — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:47:34 +0000

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While Irish rock band U2 is still in the middle of their North American 360 stadium tour, they are already planning to come back next summer, according to CHARTattack.

The band’s website has yet to release any dates, but a USA Today article says the band will begin their second leg of a North American tour in Mexico City, Mexico on May 30, 2010. The tour is then expected to continue through June and July, hitting cities not visited this year.

U2 already hit Toronto and Vancouver on their current tour. Each show is estimated to rake in about $750,000 U.S., so it is not difficult to see why the band wants to continue their jaunt. More Canadian dates could be added on the second leg, with such possibilities as Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg.

The tour, which is in support of the band’s latest album, No Line On The Horizon, is confirmed to hit Europe beginning in August and run until early October. The opening date for that leg of the tour is at Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Germany on Aug. 10.

The band is offering new memberships to their fan club, with one of the perks being presale access to 2010 concert dates.

U2′s previous Vertigo tour had a similar plan as No Line On The Horizon, with the band visiting western Canada and the U.S. in the spring of 2005, before returning for another round of shows in the fall of the same year. That second stint included a five-night stay at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre that September.

In other news, the USA Today article also stated that U2 had dreams of having their own Rock Band game last year, but decided against it due to some compromises they were not in favour of. But that could change, and the band is still very interested in the idea.

U2′s tour continues:

Oct. 9 Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium w/ Muse
Oct. 12 Dallas, TX @ New Cowboys Stadium w/ Muse
Oct. 14 Houston, TX @ Reliant Stadium w/ Muse
Oct. 18 Norman, OK @ Oklahoma Memorial Stadium w/ Black Eyed Peas
Oct. 20 Phoenix, AZ @ University Of Phoenix Stadium w/ Black Eyed Peas
Oct. 23 Las Vegas, NV @ Sam Boyd Stadium w/ Black Eyed Peas
Oct. 25 Los Angeles, CA @ Rose Bowl w/ Black Eyed Peas
Oct. 28 Vancouver, BC @ BC Place w/ Black Eyed Peas
Aug. 10 Frankfurt, Germany @ Commerzbank Arena
Aug. 12 Hannover, Germany @ AWD Stadium
Aug. 15-16 Horsens, Denmark @ Casa Arena
Aug. 20 Helsinki, Finland @ Olympic Stadium
Aug. 25 Moscow, Russia @ Luzhniki
Aug. 30 Vienna, Austria @ Ernst Happel Stadium
Sept. 3 Athens, Greece @ Olympic Stadium
Sept. 6 Istanbul, Turkey @ Ataturk Olympic Stadium
Sept. 15 Munich, Germany @ Olympic Stadium
Sept. 18 Paris, France @ Stade De France
Sept. 29 Seville, France @ Olympic Stadium
Oct. 2 Coimbra, Portugal @ Stadium

Do A Good Deed – Get Yourself an Xbox for Christmas?

Brett Caron — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:07:21 +0000

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The ultimate remastered edition of the Beatles catalog is probably going to be the big-ticket Christmas item this holiday season. Alongside this cornucopia of creamy Liverpool goodness is The Beatles: Rock Band, most likely the other big ticket Christmas item – if the stores have any left after the initial sellout.

And to provide the third stabilizing leg to this triumverate of old-meets-new deliciousness is a brand-new The Beatles: Rock Band Xbox 360 model. Featuring psychedelic designs by the same animators who will blow your minds via the intro cinematic sequence to the new Rock Band cash-cow, this model also has another feature that I’m sure the boys from across the pond would be proud of – every unit sold has all proceeds benefiting Doctors Without Borders.

Finally, as if the above trinity of Beatlemania wasn’t enough, All You Need Is Love is now available as an Xbox Live download, once again with proceeds going to DWB.

To find out more information, head on over to http://www.xbox.com/en-CA/games/splash/b/beatlesrockband/ where you’ll have the chance to join the Fab Four Mystery Tour, an “interactive look at the Beatles and the many twists and turns of their legendary career.” Check it out, Jude, don’t let me down.

Cheers!

The Beatles Remastered Catalog To Be Released In September

Ilan Mester — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:00:01 +0000

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Apple Corps Ltd. along with EMI Music have announced September 9 will be the release date for the highly anticipated original Beatles catalog, the same day “The Bealtes: Rock Band” video game is due to hit stores.

The catalog has been digitally remastered for the first time and will feature replicated original album art for each CD.

The remastering process has taken four years to combine new recording technology with vintage studio equipment, all in an attempt to try to remain true to the original analogue recordings.

The collection includes all 12 Beatles albums in stereo, as well as the U.S. version of the “Magical Mystery Tour” LP and the collections “Past Masters Vol. I” and “Past Masters Vol. II” (which are now one title).

There will also be booklets that include historical notes and recording notes within each CD.

Two new Beatles boxed CD collections are due for release on the same day as well.

Rock Band Coming To PSP

Ilan Mester — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:48:08 +0000

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“Rock Band” is coming to PSP. But don’t worry, you won’t have to carry the drum-set, guitar or microphone.

“Your hands are the ‘peripherals’ in ‘Rock Band Unplugged’ allowing you to take direct control of the lead/bass guitars, drums and vocals,” read a press release by EA Games.

Rock Band for PSP will feature over 40 track for gamers to play. Gamers can also download new songs through the Playstation Network store.

“Rock Band Unplugged” will be sold for approximately $40, and as a special bundle on June 9 with the PSP.

The “Rock Band Entertainment Pack” will come with a 4GB memory stick, a voucher to download the movie “School of Rock,” and of course a PSP and the “Rock Band” game.

How can you go wrong with rock songs and Jack Black?

Beatles Video Game In 2009

andPOP Staff — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:23:30 +0000

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Shout! There’s a Beatles music game coming from MTV.

MTV and Beatles license-holder Apple Corps will join forces to create the first-ever Beatles-themed video game, set for release in the 2009 holiday season.

It’s not a Rock Band or Guitar Hero-typed game, according to Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos, but users can still expect to “twist and shout”. It’s a “creative exploration of their music and a celebration of their legacy.” It will also be a music-making game, – so users can wear their “blue suede shoes” and “shake, rattle and roll” with interactive performance. The game will take users “across the universe” of the band’s career, from first album to last, but it wasn’t stated whether or not the game will include every Beatles song ever written.

Apparently, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison all gave input and back the project. In a press release from MTV, McCartney said, “The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of the Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out.” Yoko Ono commented that she hoped the game would appeal to “young blood”, saying “I love it and hope it will keep inspiring and encouraging the young generation or many decades.”

Not many details were revealed, but the game is already in development and will be compatible with Rock Band instruments. No word of whether or not the game will come with a Yellow Submarine, either.

Realistic Guitar Controller Released for Rock Band and Guitar Hero

andPOP Staff — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:23:24 +0000

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Peak Products, a gaming peripheral company specializing in instrument gaming controllers, has just announced the release of Starpex, the first full size, wood, PS2/PS3 guitar controller that strives to look and feel like a real guitar. The controller is designed for the popular Guitar Hero and Rock Band games.

The Starpex has an instrument-quality, high-gloss lacquered finish with a hardwood body, neck and headstock. The Starpex features a unique button that provides the fast and accurate access to Star Power and Overdrive modes in Guitar Hero and Rock Band. In addition, the Starpex has an optimized whammy car and an enhanced strum bar to help maximize scoring, according to a press release from Park Products.

The Starpex also features a high-quality ten fret button design. Ten fret buttons mean that players have the option of using traditionally positioned fret button, or can choose to use the solo button high up on the neck of the guitar controller.

The Starpex will be available in Circuit City and various other retailers for about $180 by late August.

Collection of Songs from The Who Made Available for Rock Band

andPOP Staff — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:20:24 +0000

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Today, MTV Games and Harmonix announced that it will be releasing a new downloadable pack of The Who’s songs for their popular Rock Band video game. On July 15, a downloadable pack of 12 songs from the famous band The Who will be made available to Rock Band users.

“We’re really pleased to have our songs featured in Rock Band,” said Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who in a press release. “It allows our established fan base to interact with our music in a way that’s fresh and exciting, while also exposing our songs to new audiences.”

The 12 songs selected for the downloadable pack were chosen by Harmonix and MTV Games in collaboration with Roger Daktrey and Pete Townshend of The Who. Each track will be available for $1.99 at the Playstation Store and the Xbox Live Marketplace (both are online stores for the gaming consoles). The entire collection of songs can be purchased for $19.99.