U2 Cancels Show In Berlin Mid-Set After Bono Loses Voice

Irish rockers U2 cut tonight’s show in Berlin short after frontman Bono suddenly lost his voice. Bono’s vocal issues surfaced during the evening’s fourth song at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, “Red Flag Day.” The crowd sang along to “Red Flag Day” and the “Beautiful Day” that followed before the vocalist asked for the audience’s patience as the group would take a 10 – 15 break to sort out his problems. An announcement came approximately 40 minutes later that the show was over according to a report from ATU2.

Fans were advised to hold on to their tickets and stay tuned from further word from the band. U2 posted the following note on their official website a few hours later:

We’re so sorry for tonight’s cancellation. Bono was in great form and great voice prior to the show and we were all looking forward to the second night in Berlin, but after a few songs, he suffered a complete loss of voice.

We don’t know what has happened and we’re taking medical advice.

As always, we appreciate our audience’s understanding and all our fans’ support in Berlin and those who travelled from afar. We will update you very soon.

Adam, Larry and Edge

The second night of the European leg of U2’s eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour began in typical fashion as the band performed “The Blackout,” “Lights Of Home” and “I Will Follow.” Bono couldn’t reach the high notes in Songs Of Experience track “Red Flag Day” and gave up singing at one point. The crowd admirably filled-in for Bono who tried again but noticeably was straining. “I think it’s the (stage) smoke. I can promise you I have not been talking, but this is like a giant cigar … I’ve lost my voice and I don’t know what to do,” the singer reportedly told the audience as per ATU2. Watch footage of “Red Flag Day” captured by wegotit:

Bono spoke more than sang “Beautiful Day.” The frustrated vocalist told the crowd, “I’m so sorry” and explained all was well when the band left the dressing room. “Something’s happened, I think we can’t go on. It’s not right for you,” he added. Bono welcomed fans to stick around while U2 figured the situation out but as noted they eventually decided against continuing the concert.

Saturday’s situation in Berlin was the second time in their history U2 canceled a show mid-set. Bono’s voice gave out during a concert on December 18, 1989 in Amsterdam. U2 made it through 14 songs and a “40” encore with fans’ help that evening. The band’s next scheduled show comes on Tuesday night in Cologne.

Here’s “Beautiful Day” along with Bono’s speech thanks to wegotit: