U2 album for later this year?

"Sorry, Olaf, can you hear me? I'm in a police escort leaving the stadium, which has just stalled for some reason."

Attempting to exit Turin's massive Stadio Olimpico, U2 manager Paul McGuinness is stuck in a moment he can't get out of – for a moment at least. It's about 11.30pm local time in Italy, his superstar charges have literally just walked offstage [after playing the first 360 show since Bono injured his back during rehearsals, resulting in serious spinal surgery and the postponement of the entire North American leg of the tour], and band and management are now making their escape.
Tonight's gig has obviously gone well.
“Ahhh... there we go," he says, bouncing his mobile from one ear to another. “We're moving again. Anyway, what can I tell you?"
How did things go for Bono tonight?
The show went extremely well, it was really superb. No weakness, no mishaps physically. And I thought he sang particularly well. The production performed perfectly. It was kind of a perfect night, really.
How's the weather? Niall Stokes mentioned a rainstorm yesterday...
It was really warm. It's been a beautiful day [laughs].
Were there any new songs played tonight?
There were two new songs. One of them was called ‘Glastonbury', which was written for the non-appearance. That was performed for the first time in public tonight. And the other is called ‘North Star'. Both of them, I guess, will be on YouTube within the hour [they are!]
Given the circumstances, was there a lot of nervousness in the U2 camp in the build-up to tonight's show?
Not really. We had several good rehearsals and run-throughs this week. We were very relaxed. Couldn't have been better. I'm so relaxed, actually, that I'm talking to you from the middle of a police motorcade with blue flashing lights! Even Italy seems to be a bit relaxed tonight.
Exactly what happened to Bono's back?
Well, you've got the press statement we issued at the time which gave a complete medical account. It's very precise. We have put this all out in tremendously precise detail with comments and quotes from the doctors involved. Because it is the subject of a massive insurance claim, I'm not going to say anything that isn't in that statement.
Even so, would you say it was the worst single mishap in the band's 33-year career?
Well, it was a severe injury – requiring spinal surgery. It had a very serious impact in the sense that it caused an enormous amount of disruption and a huge cost.
How much would you estimate that cost to be?
The cost of rescheduling that American leg is about $15million – and only about half of that will be covered by the insurance claim. On top of that, we're conscious of inconveniencing about one-and-a-quarter million people, so it was quite a shock. Anyway, having put it all back together now, and rescheduling all those dates for next summer in the same venues... that's a big relief. But it was a very complicated thing to do, and needed the co-operation of a lot of building managers and sports teams across America. And it was a difficult thing to do, but Live Nation were up to it. Everyone who bought a ticket will be able to sit in the same seat that they intended to – albeit a year later!
Did many people look for refunds?
We watched the rate at which people looked for refunds, and there's been almost none. Which is... pleasing.
Did Bono make any onstage references to the accident tonight?
No, he was singing mostly! I think everyone in the stadium was very conscious that this was his first appearance since the surgery. And when he moved as easily as he did, there was a lot of cheering at the beginning. And then I think people just settled in. They realised that he was comfortable and moving easily, and at the end of the show he said he felt great. So I think we're out of trouble.
Did he use the recuperation period to write any new songs?
Well, these two new songs – ‘Glastonbury' and ‘North Star'. But there's other material in the works as well. I hope there will be another record pretty soon, but I'm not sure.
How soon is “pretty soon"?
If I was being wildly optimistic, I'd say before the end of this year.
Is this the album they've mentioned previously, Songs Of Ascent?
Well, it could be several things. There's a mixture of material available now. Some of it's been recorded. Some of it is called Songs Of Ascent, then there's Spiderman material, then there's some new stuff. I mean, Bono's always a bit over-optimistic on these occasions, but I heard him telling an Italian journalist that he had four albums ready. That's not quite it! But that's what he was saying [laughs].
So it's basically business as usual for U2?
Yes... we're much relieved.