Melbourne’s U2 tribute band filling the void after U2 tour
If you’ve got a U2-shaped hole in your life it’s time to meet the Melbourne-based tribute band who have got you covered.
Confidential
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Melbourne tribute band The U2 Show — Achtung Baby are filling the Saturday night void left by the Irish superstars.
With U2 only performing tonight at Marvel Stadium, the tribute band booked a free gig at Irish pub PJ O’Briens in Southbank tomorrow called ‘U2 Ain’t Doin’ It So Why Can’t We?’
Michael Cavallaro, who plays Bono in the tribute band, said fans had heard rumours about a second U2 show.
“People were telling us to play because a lot of fans from overseas and interstate will be here on Saturday because they thought there might have been a U2 show, so we made it happen.”
Cavallaro – who runs his own furniture design business as his day job – said the Irish superstars touring down under is good for business.
“You get a feeling when you’re watching your favourite band live, it’s addictive. That resonates with people. We thought why would people come to see us on Saturday when they’ve seen the real thing the night before? But this weekend people will be on a U2 high and they’ll want to carry it on for as long as they can — and that includes us.”
The band had originally toyed with the idea of performing The Joshua Tree in full on the Saturday show; just like U2 will do tonight.
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They’ve played U2 albums in full before – first Achtung Baby three years ago, then The Joshua Tree two years ago.
“Album shows are great, it’s something different than just doing a greatest hits show. But there are people out there where the minute they hear a song like Exit or One Tree Hill or Trip Through Your Wires they head to the bar for a drink.”
Achtung Baby have gained a reputation for their attention to detail – as U2 fans themselves, they pore over costumes, song choices and execution.
“We’re big on being as authentic as we can be. I’d never be dressed up as The Fly and be singing Vertigo, no one saw Bono sing Beautiful Day as The Fly. We have older costumes and newer costumes. We have about two or three costume changes depending on the venue.”
For the uninitiated, there is a difference between a cover band and a tribute band.
“A cover band is a bunch of musos playing Top 40 songs from now or back to the Eagles, it’s more generic, where a tribute band does a specific band, authenticity is the difference.
“There are musicians who might be in four or five tribute bands. Whatever you do to make a living that’s fine. There’s bands that play U2 songs, Coldplay songs, Doors songs, all in the one show. But if you focus on one band it’s easier to dedicate yourself to all the different details in costumes, stage presence and idiosyncrasies.
“It’s not a full time job for us, we moonlight, the industry is not that lucrative. We’re not making big bucks out of this. It’s a passion for us.”
So much of a passion that when The Joshua Tree tour was announced, the band had to make sure they didn’t have any gigs booked that clashed with U2’s Melbourne date.
“We had a lot of gigs booked a year ago, then we started hearing the rumours they were touring here in November. We never like to back out of a booking once we’ve locked in a date, so we didn’t book too many shows, so once they announced the tour we were relieved, we could work around it. So we’re all taking the day off on Friday, making the most of it. We’ve got GA tickets, we’re getting there early to get a decent spot.”
Cavallaro says watching U2 this time won’t be research.
“At the last show in 2010 it felt like we were taking notes. Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy it. We obsess over so many details, it’s nice to just relax and enjoy it. Otherwise you forget to be in the moment and it becomes work.”