THE JOSHUA TREE TOUR WRAPS UP IN MUMBAI
U2’S FIRST EVER PERFORMANCE IN INDIA
THE TOUR HAVING PLAYED TO ALMOST 3 MILLION FANS AROUND THE WORLD
Legendary composer A.R. Rahman joined U2 onstage in Mumbai last night to perform new track ‘Ahimsa’ in celebration of the band’s first ever visit to India. The performance also featured the debut appearance of Rahman’s daughters – Khatija Rahman and Raheema Rahman, along with singer-songwriter Rianjali Bhowmick – all of whom also feature on the track. Watch HERE.
The U2 show at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium is the final stop on The Joshua Tree Tour which has seen the band play to almost 3 million fans around the world in jut 66 shows throughout 2017 and 2019, taking in Europe, North & South America, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and long overdue first-time visits to India, Singapore, South Korea and the Philippines.
A.R. Rahman said – “Performing with U2 in Mumbai, in a way, was celebrating Mahatma Gandhi and his world revered faith, Ahimsa. We are touched by U2’s stand against injustice, for women empowerment and for goodness in this world. The collaboration with U2 on ‘Ahimsa’, comes at a very appropriate time, while the whole world celebrates 150 years of the Mahatma, the message of Ahimsa needs to reach every nook and corner. This is also a debut performance for my daughters, Khatija and Raheema, singing in a rock concert. I hope the people who came for the concert enjoyed the performance!”
Speaking about the band’s visit to Mani Bhavan – Gandhi’s former home – ahead of the show, Bono told the crowd – ‘We come to India as pilgrims… Like so many over centuries… We come in search of the great soul Gandhi…. We are students… you are our teachers…’.
‘Ahimsa’ – the Sanskrit word for non-violence – is the new track from U2 and A.R. Rahman celebrating the spiritual diversity of India and connects the ethos of U2 with the mastery of A.R. Rahman. The collaboration was released less than one month ahead of U2’s first ever show in India with the arrival of The Joshua Tree Tour in Mumbai on December 15, 2019 and has peaked across all streaming partners in the region.
This month also saw Island Records release The Eternal Remixes, four classic songs remixed and reimagined by four Indian artists and producers – Lost Stories, OX7GEN, Karsh Kale and Amaal Mallik. Further info below.
Stream ‘Ahimsa’ on all platforms today. Listen here: http://u2.lnk.to/Ahimsa
Stream ‘The Eternal Remixes’ and listen here: http://u2.lnk.to/TheEternalRemixes
About A.R. Rahman:
A.R. Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, musician, multi-instrumentalist and philanthropist. Described as the world’s most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating Eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and traditional orchestral arrangements.
He has won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South in addition to numerous other awards and nominations.
Rahman’s film scoring career began in the early 1990s with the Tamil film Roja and his extensive body of work for film and the stage earned him the nickname “the Mozart of Madras”. In 2009, Time placed Rahman in its list of World’s Most Influential People.
Working in India’s various film industries, international cinema and theatre, Rahman is one of the world’s all-time top selling recording artists. In a notable career spanning three decades, Rahman has garnered particular acclaim for redefining contemporary Indian film music and thus contributing to the success of several films.
Rahman is currently one of the highest paid composers of the motion picture industry. He is a notable humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising money for beneficial causes and supporting charities.
About The Joshua Tree Tour:
The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 is a celebration of the original album and tour of the same name undertaken by U2 in 1987 reflecting the group’s fascination for the American landscape, its people, literature and myths. Dutch photographer and film-maker, and long term collaborator, Anton Corbijn, whose iconic photography accompanied the original recording has again visited Death Valley and Zabriskie Point – and other locations – to produce a new series of haunting and evocative films which feature in brilliant 8k resolution on a 200 x 45 ft cinematic screen behind the group in live performance. The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 features the complete Joshua Tree album played in sequence, as well as a selection of highlights from U2’s extensive catalogue of songs. The 2019 tour will also see select songs and striking visuals from U2’s recent indoor arena tours – iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE (2015) and eXPERIENCE +iNNOCENCE (2018) – go outdoors and direct to fans in New Zealand, Australia and Asia for the first time via the largest LED screen ever used in a touring show. The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 will bring U2 to Singapore, Seoul, Manila and Mumbai – for the first time ever – with what promises to be very special concerts from “the biggest band in the world” (The Guardian).
By the time it reaches Mumbai on December 15, 2019, The Joshua Tree Tour will have played to almost 3 million fans in just 66 shows across Europe, North & South America, Mexico, New Zealand and Asia.
About The Eternal Remixes:
Island records has released four classic songs remixed and reimagined by four Indian artists and producers – Lost Stories, OX7GEN, Karsh Kale and Amaal Mallik, available to stream nowhere: http://u2.lnk.to/TheEternalRemixes
The four artists bring their own individual and signature style to U2 classics:‘Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way’ (Lost Stories Remix); ‘You’re The Best Thing About Me’ (OX7GEN Remix); ‘Pride’ (Karsh Kale 100 Voices Mix) and ‘Beautiful Day’ (Amaal Mallik Reprise).
*Photo credit: Dara Munnis
