U2 Cancel Paris Concert, Live HBO Special Previously Scheduled for Saturday
U2 were scheduled to play a concert in Paris on Saturday that was going to be broadcast live on HBO, but the band have canceled the show in the wake of the horrific events that took place in the city on Friday.
The following statement was posted to the band's website: "As a result of the ongoing state of emergency across France, the U2 Paris concert scheduled for 14th November will not be going ahead as planned. U2 and Live Nation, along with HBO who were due to live broadcast the Saturday concert, are fully resolved to go ahead with this show at an appropriate time."
The band, who were reportedly just minutes away from the scene of the shootings and bombings on Friday, also posted this:
We watched in disbelief and shock at the unfolding events in Paris and our hearts go out to all the victims and their families across the city tonight. We are devastated at the loss of life at the Eagles of Death Metal concert and our thoughts and prayers are with the band and their fans. And we hope and pray that all of our fans in Paris are safe.”
Billboard reports frontman Bono was seen rehearsing earlier in the day on Friday at AccorHotels Arena – less than three miles from the concert hall Bataclan where terrorists opened fire during a concert by Eagles of Death Metal. When the incidents began to unfold, U2 and their crew were quickly moved into lockdown and are all safe.
Just hours before the tragedy unfolded, the band posted a photo of drummer Larry Mullen near the Eiffel Tower.
Terrorist gunmen killed at least 112 people at Le Bataclan before police stormed the venue and killed four of the terrorists. The members of Eagles of Death Metal were reportedly able to flee the scene safely.
The Arcs – the side project of Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach – were also in Paris on Friday. The band tweeted a photo later in the night saying everyone in the band was safe.