In a stark bit of irony, U2 fans in Berlin are up in arms over plans by concert organizers to erect a wall that will obstruct viewing of a free show by the band.
The irony stems from the fact that the concert – which will take place in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on Thursday (Nov. 5) – is being staged to mark the 20th year since the fall of the Berlin Wall. As reported by Wenn.com, the show is part of the MTV Europe Awards, which also includes a performance by Bon Jovi that same night.
Upon hearing of plans by MTV to construct the wall, a spokesman for Berlin’s city government responded, “I find it rather unfortunate and unusual for organizers of a free concert - particularly one of this nature - to demand such a barrier."
MTV organizers insist the wall is necessary as a safety precaution. “We are asking fans without tickets to watch the concert on television,” an MTV representative said. “The barrier is for security reasons and to contain the crowd, allowing the surrounding shops and restaurants to continue trading."
Ten thousand free tickets to the event were snapped up within hours. It’s anticipated that as many as 100,000 people will gather on the square near the Brandenburg Gate on the night of the show.