I think this puts all the "U2 has sold out with this tour" comments I've heard in perspective:

http://music.msn.com/the-wrap/u2-no-money-horizon/story/?GT1=28102

Proud to be a U2 fan.  Well done, boys. 

I agree completely.  However, one point sort of stuck out in the article:

"So far, every show has sold out, at prices that start at $30 and go up to $250, plus special seats that are auctioned off for charity."

Not exactly - Charlottesville and I think Raleigh didn't sell out, plus several others from the southeast.  There were 3 sections in Charlottesville that were mostly empty.  I don't care whether every show sells out, but they should get their facts straight in the article.

I was stunned to see that Larry (and I assume the other guys, as well) walked away from the Joshua Tree tour with $20k. Granted, tickets to the show I saw on that tour were $16 or so, but did R&H cost that much to film?

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so with the tour half over, and selling close to 300,000,000...does that mean they will profit about 300,000,000

thats still a lot

I was stunned to see that Larry (and I assume the other guys, as well) walked away from the Joshua Tree tour with $20k. Granted, tickets to the show I saw on that tour were $16 or so, but did R&H cost that much to film?

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I think production costs were in the range of 5 million.

well, $300 million minus operating costs. then again, I don't think the merch $$$ are counted in that $300 million, just ticket sales.

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well, $300 million minus operating costs. then again, I don't think the merch $$$ are counted in that $300 million, just ticket sales.

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good point...

still though, if they can sell 300 million worth of tickets for the second half, they still will be getting a lot

well, $300 million minus operating costs. then again, I don't think the merch $$$ are counted in that $300 million, just ticket sales.

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good point...

still though, if they can sell 300 million worth of tickets for the second half, they still will be getting a lot

That'd be gross profit less  operating costs as noted - the $750K (daily?) costs of the each show. 
12 concerts in the 3rd leg X 750 = 12.75M in operating costs = 17.25M net profit before taxes. 
Divided by 5 = $3.45 MIL each net profits BEFORE Corporate and/or Personal TAX)

That's alot for any one of us but definitely a pittance compared to what the tour is costing them to deliver it. 
I'd think the merch is not included also - but they're not selling out by any means, seeing past leg merch is on Fanfire at discount. 

well, $300 million minus operating costs. then again, I don't think the merch $$$ are counted in that $300 million, just ticket sales.

#@!

good point...

still though, if they can sell 300 million worth of tickets for the second half, they still will be getting a lot

That'd be gross profit less  operating costs as noted - the $750K (daily?) costs of the each show. 
12 concerts in the 3rd leg X 750 = 12.75M in operating costs = 17.25M net profit before taxes. 
Divided by 5 = $3.45 MIL each net profits BEFORE Corporate and/or Personal TAX)

That's alot for any one of us but definitely a pittance compared to what the tour is costing them to deliver it. 
I'd think the merch is not included also - but they're not selling out by any means, seeing past leg merch is on Fanfire at discount. 

Wow.

So let's just say that after taxes, U2 went on a world tour and each member gets 2.5 to 3 million, for a tour that could last close to two years.

well, $300 million minus operating costs. then again, I don't think the merch $$$ are counted in that $300 million, just ticket sales.

#@!

good point...

still though, if they can sell 300 million worth of tickets for the second half, they still will be getting a lot

And compare that to say a high paid actor that gets 20 MIL gross for a few months work on a film. 

That'd be gross profit less  operating costs as noted - the $750K (daily?) costs of the each show. 
12 concerts in the 3rd leg X 750 = 12.75M in operating costs = 17.25M net profit before taxes. 
Divided by 5 = $3.45 MIL each net profits BEFORE Corporate and/or Personal TAX)

That's alot for any one of us but definitely a pittance compared to what the tour is costing them to deliver it. 
I'd think the merch is not included also - but they're not selling out by any means, seeing past leg merch is on Fanfire at discount. 

Wow.

So let's just say that after taxes, U2 went on a world tour and each member gets 2.5 to 3 million, for a tour that could last close to two years.

Compare that with a top paid actor like Cruise or Julia Roberts 20 Mil for a few months work on a film. 

well, $300 million minus operating costs. then again, I don't think the merch $$$ are counted in that $300 million, just ticket sales.

#@!

good point...

still though, if they can sell 300 million worth of tickets for the second half, they still will be getting a lot

And compare that to say a high paid actor that gets 20 MIL gross for a few months work on a film. 

That'd be gross profit less  operating costs as noted - the $750K (daily?) costs of the each show. 
12 concerts in the 3rd leg X 750 = 12.75M in operating costs = 17.25M net profit before taxes. 
Divided by 5 = $3.45 MIL each net profits BEFORE Corporate and/or Personal TAX)

That's alot for any one of us but definitely a pittance compared to what the tour is costing them to deliver it. 
I'd think the merch is not included also - but they're not selling out by any means, seeing past leg merch is on Fanfire at discount. 

Wow.

So let's just say that after taxes, U2 went on a world tour and each member gets 2.5 to 3 million, for a tour that could last close to two years.

Compare that with a top paid actor like Cruise or Julia Roberts 20 Mil for a few months work on a film. 

You knew exactly where I was going with that.  I think U2 earns every penny, and so does Paul McGuinness.

we need to get some fundraisers going for U2! maybe the Girl Scouts can sell spaceship cookies?! 

on a serious note - it thinks it's a cool thing they invest so much into the shows. and why not if you can? if you're going to present something then resent it and go at it with everything you've got..as long as it supports and enhances what you do and of course doesn't overshadow it. U2 music is big music, often huge...so it rarely gets overshadowed by their grand mad visions. great great 1 of a kind band. can't wait for TUF remaster!

We'll never know the accounting, but my guess is U2 pays themselves some salary/stipend/bonus, buried somewhere in the fixed costs side of the G&A, from the gross revenue receipts.

I was stunned to see that Larry (and I assume the other guys, as well) walked away from the Joshua Tree tour with $20k. Granted, tickets to the show I saw on that tour were $16 or so, but did R&H cost that much to film?

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Is the film expensive?

Nah, cheapest thing.

Being from Down Under, all this money talk tend to make me nervous (after Elevation and PMcG's comments in U2byU2 about bringing Popmart down here) - thankfully the AUD is quite high at the moment. All fingers and toes crossed!