U2 have confirmed that their final planned Paris show originally set for tonight, has been cancelled. France remains in a state of emergency, declared by President Francois Hollande on Friday night, following the terrorist atrocities, which killed over 120 people. The highest number of casualties occurred at the Bataclan, a music venue at which the U.S. band Eagles Of Death Metal were playing.
A simple statement appeared on U2's website explaining that Sunday's show would not now take place.
"Speaking to Dave Fanning on RTÉ 2fm in Ireland this morning, Bono confirmed that in light of the ongoing security situation in Paris, Sunday's show will not go ahead," the statement said.
"He promised that the band will be back to do more shows in Paris as soon as possible but that their first thoughts are with music fans, victims and the families of those caught up in Friday's events across the city."
All four members of U2 laid a wreath yesterday at a memorial to the victims, on the streets of Paris.
U2 lead singer Bono has spoken to Dave Fanning about Friday night’s tragic events. U2 were due to play a now postponed live HBO simulcast show in the city on Saturday night.
“Everybody is safe in our party, which is great,” he proffered. “We haven’t heard yet of any of our fans down, yet, thank God, but are first thoughts at this point are with the Eagles Of Death Metal. If you think about it, the majority of victims last night are music fans. This is the first time there’s been a direct hit on music that we’ve had in this so-called war on terror. It’s very upsetting.
"These are our people. It could have been me at a show, you at a show, in that venue. It’s a very recognisable situation for you and for me. And the cold-blooded aspect of this slaughter is deeply disturbing. That’s what I can’t get it out of my head.
“The city is shut down for the next few days. We apologise for all the inconvenience - people were coming from all over - but our fans understand, it’s just those families, really.
“Music is very important. I think U2 has a role to play. I can’t wait till we get back to Paris and play, and that’s the feeling from the messages we’re getting from music fans - ‘These people will not organise our lives for us’. I remember U2 was the first big act back in to New York after 9/11. We played Madison Square Garden and the feeling there was just unbelievable. The feeling was, ‘This is just who we are. You can’t change us. You’re not going to turn us into haters. You’re not going to turn us around in the way we go about our lives'. That was the feeling back then in Madison Square Garden and I hope that will be the feeling at Percy when we get back there.”
Last night’s tragedy will resonate very deeply among the Eagles Of Death Metal’s Irish fans who packed into the Olympia to see them on Tuesday night. It’s been revealed that all of the band managed to escape via-the Bataclan stage door when the shooting started but the status of their crew is not yet fully known.