Tickets on sale today for U2 at Franklin Field

From the lingerie department of Manhattan's K-Mart, the Irish rock band U2 announced details of its upcoming worldwide "PopMart" tour yesterday, which will include a stop at Franklin Field. Tickets for the June 8 concert go on sale for University students today and tomorrow at the Athletic Ticket Office. The tour -- which coincides with the release of the Grammy award-winning band's new album Pop -- is the group's first in several years. And the Franklin Field show will be the first concert held in the facility since the '70s. But officials say such events may become a trend for the stadium -- and an integral source of income for the University. "Five football games and the Penn Relays are not utilizing all of Franklin Field's opportunities," University spokesperson Ken Wildes said. "We need to find out how to use the stadium in a better way." Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said Penn wasn't actively searching for a group to perform in the stadium, but U2's promoters contacted the Athletic Department about it. The department negotiated with the band's promoter to give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to purchase two or four tickets prior to the general public sale on Saturday. Ticket orders will be taken in person at the Athletic Ticket Office today and tomorrow between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Presentation of valid PennCard and a $52.50 cash payment per ticket is required. No phone orders, checks or credit cards will be accepted for the advance sale, but there will be no service charge or handling fee. A receipt will be issued at the time of payment to guarantee the ticket order. "I can just imagine how crazy our MAC machines are going to be around campus," Social Planning and Events Committee President and College senior Melissa Muniz said. But Athletic Ticket Manager Peggy Kowalski said this ticket-distributing system has been "tried and true" at other universities and will benefit the Penn community by reducing hassle and increasing safety. The $52.50 ticket price is standard for the entire tour. The one exception is the last 12 rows of the east side of Franklin Field, which will be sold during the general public sale for $37.50 because of their poor sightlines. "Some students are going to be disappointed because [U2] is coming in the summer and because of the high prices of tickets," WQHS General Manager and College junior Christian Stadler said. "But I think it is definitely a positive step for Penn." All advance ticket orders will be filled with randomly selected seat locations throughout the stadium. Kowalski said there is absolutely no benefit to being first in line and "camping out" for tickets is "not necessary and will not be permitted." "These special seats are randomly selected, but trust me -- no one from Penn is going to get a horrible seat," Kowalski said. "Because there is no limit on the number of pre-sale tickets, we are giving the University community a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this great band." Tickets buyers must pick up their orders between February 18 and March 3 at the Athletic Ticket Office during normal hours -- Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Penn students, faculty and staff may also participate in the general public sale, regardless of whether or not tickets were ordered through the advance sale. Kowalski said that University Police plan to work with city and concert security personnel in order to make the concert "flawless." She added that there is an abundance of parking space in the Franklin Field area, but she is concerned that concert-goers will not know all the options. To combat this problem, the University will launch an "advertising blitz" for local parking lots and public transportation. The elaborate U2 tour of more than 100 shows, many in outdoor venues or giant stadiums, kicks off April 25 in Las Vegas and ends more than a year later after stops all over the world. Penn is one of only six concerts on college campuses. There will be no rain dates for any of the concerts, because the 52-truck U2 entourage cannot be easily rerouted. Opening acts for the tour have not yet been announced. Moneta said if all goes well, the future might hold several more concerts in Franklin Field. In the event of concerts held in the stadium during the school year, schedules will be coordinated with all student groups, he added. "I don't want student groups to feel like this is an intrusion or deterrent," Moneta said. "All planning for future concerts will include a discussion period." Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson and College junior Tal Golomb predicted "pandemonium" on campus due to excitement about the concert.

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