- Music
- 03 Sep 18
U2 were forced to cancel their Berlin gig on Saturday night when Bono suffered a "complete loss of voice" after only a handful of songs.
But U2 fans can relax as Bono has now confirmed the good news that he'll be back to "full voice" for the rest of the U2’s ‘Experience + Innocence Tour.
After worryingly losing his voice during the second night on stage in Berlin's Mercedes-Benz Arena, Bono went to a doctor and has now been giving a clean bill of health.
“I’ve seen a great doctor and with his care I’ll be back to full voice for the rest of the tour. So happy and relieved that anything serious has been ruled out," Bono said in a statement.
At first on Saturday night, Bono, who was seen at one point drinking from a flask, originally left the stage for 15 minutes. It's thought that smoke machines may have affected his voice. But Bono later came back out and told the audience: "I think we can't go on. It's not right for you." According to some reports, Bono was "upset" and "looked gutted" as he broke them the news.
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Bono added: “This is like being in a giant cigar. I’ve lost my voice and I don’t know what to do. I was singing like a bird about 10 minutes ago.”
American actress Ashley Judd, who was in the audience, said that the crowd "felt for him (Bono)" because he was "obviously powerless and vulnerable".
She tweeted: "The power of #bono voice before it surprised him in #Berlin and left him abruptly...he was singing his guts out (per usual). @u2 @U2eiTour The crowd so felt for him as he with surrender was obviously powerless and vulnerable. He’s real and he’s human, too, like we all are."
As promised, U2 have now rescheduled the gig. They will hit Berlin again on 13 November. “My relief is tempered by the knowledge that the Berlin audience were so inconvenienced," Bono said.
“There was an amazing atmosphere in the house, it was going to be one of those unforgettable nights but not for this reason… We can’t wait to get back there on November 13th.”
U2 playing in Berlin, Bono has lost his voice after just a couple of songs - show paused, but likely to be cancelled pic.twitter.com/CdcJE9FIqg
— EFTM : 💻 + 🚘 + 🍷 (@EFTM) September 1, 2018
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U2 apologised on their website for having to cut short the gig on Saturday night. “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," Larry, Adam and Edge said in a joint statement.
“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.”
#TheEdge #AdamClayton #LarryMullenJr
We're so sorry #Berlin#U2eitour#GetWellBono#U2 #U2ByU2https://t.co/XkJ1lgMb2M pic.twitter.com/8RkEjfyAqr— U2 By U2 (@U2_By_U2) September 2, 2018
The power of #bono voice before it surprised him in #Berlin and left him abruptly...he was singing his guts out (per usual). @u2 @U2eiTour The crowd so felt for him as he with surrender was obviously powerless and vulnerable. He’s real and he’s human, too, like we all are. pic.twitter.com/f0Tl3hhuA2
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) September 1, 2018