For the 360 Tour, I drove to every concert – with my two dogs. Now this year for the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour,  I’m flying to every concert – except for the ones in New York City. So this tour my dogs, Elvis and Cilla, will not be traveling with me – except maybe to New York City, but I doubt it. And this tour will be the first time I will travel outside the United States to attend a U2 concert. From May to July, I am going to 15 U2 shows in Vancouver, Denver, Chicago and New York City including the tour opener and the last show in North America.

VANCOUVER May 13-16

Wednesday May 13th:
My musical journey begins at dawn the day before the Tour Opener when I fly from Baltimore to Vancouver, with a layover in Dallas. I land in Vancouver around noon pst but with customs and transport by either sky train or a taxi, I don’t expect to be at the Sandman Hotel until at least 1pm. I know me and I know I’m going to want to eat lunch before I start my day in Vancouver. After I’ve unpacked and met up with my friend Jenny, we will check out the scene and see a bit of Vancouver before the U2 Fan MeetUp at Moxie’s at 7pm. We’ll meet for dinner and drinks, and I will have some giveaways. If you would like to join us, please click here.

Thursday May 14th:
On the day of the Tour Opener, I want to see as much of Vancouver as I can (on foot) as this will be my first visit before heading over to Rogers Arena at 2pm to wait for U2 to arrive and hopefully stop to greet the fans. The show starts at 7:30pm. This will be my first U2 concert outside of the United States and my second Tour Opener (I went to the tour opener in Florida on Elevation). After the show, we are going to have another, more casual, Fan MeetUp at Moxie’s to discuss all the craziness that was Opening Night!

Friday May 15th:
On the day of the second show, I want to do a little more sightseeing and check out Edgewater Casino before going over to Rogers Arena at 3pm to again await U2’s arrival. The show starts at 7:30.

Saturday May 16th:
Because American Airlines eliminated my flight, I now pretty much leave at dawn the morning after the second show. At least I’ll have a full day of flying to sleep. I get home around 10:30pm est.

DENVER June 5-8

Friday June 5th:
I land in Denver around 3pm mst the day before the first U2 show, and coincidentally the 32rd anniversary of Red Rocks in Denver. (Do you think U2 purposely scheduled their shows this weekend for the Red Rocks anniversary?) Apparently it is about a 45 minute drive from the airport to downtown. Not sure who’s bright idea it was to put the airport so far away from the downtown area. I’m staying at the SpringHillSuites Downtown Denver, next to the Pepsi Center, which I probably won’t even get to until about 4:00 or later. I’ll check in, unpack and relax for a bit before heading over to the Hard Rock for our Fan MeetUp at 7:30pm – not sure if I’ll walk or take a cab. We have tables reserved for us in the mezzanine for dinner, drinks and giveways before the Under a Blood Red Sky U2 tribute show starts at 10pm. Besides magnets, keychains and stickers for everyone, there will also be a drawing for a t shirt and Q magazine with U2 on the cover. I will also have copies of my book On the Road with U2: my musical journey. If you would like join us, please click here.

Saturday June 6th:
The day of the first U2 show in Denver, I will heading over the Pepsi Center early to hopefully catch the band (ie Larry) as they arrive for sound check. I have GA for all of my shows, but won’t be camping out in line over night or even all day. I have been to Denver twice before, so no need to sight see. The show is at 7:30pm and maybe they’ll be an impromptu fan meetup after the show, who knows?

Sunday June 7th:
The day of the second U2 show in Denver, I may try to go to the Rockies – Marlins game or I may just rest in the hotel. If I meet Larry Saturday, I will go to the baseball game Sunday. Otherwise, I will go over to the Pepsi Center at 2pm to again await U2’s arrival. I would just really like to have an actual conversation with Larry, show him my book, have him sign my book and get a picture with him.  The show is at 7:30pm.

Monday June 8th:
The morning after the second show in Denver, I leave before dawn. It wasn’t the airlines fault this time, just the flight I booked so I could be home by 11am and work. Although when I booked my flight, I did not realize that it would take 45 minutes to get to the airport, so I have to wake up at 3am – just a few hours after the U2 show ends. Good thing I can sleep on the entire plane ride home.

CHICAGO June 23 – July 3

Tuesday June 23rd:
On the day before the first U2 show in Chicago, I land around 12:30pm cst. I’m staying at the Homewood Suites Downtown Chicago with a full kitchen. Since I will be staying for 10 days, the first thing I’m going to do after I eat lunch and unpack is go to the grocery store and get whatever foods I will need for the next 10 days. I think my 10 days in Chicago are going to be epic, especially that 5th U2 show!

Wednesday June 24:
I have been to Chicago three times before, so I don’t have a lot of sightseeing to do. I am going to do any sightseeing on non-show days and just relax on show days. The day of the first Chicago show I am going to go to the United Center at 2pm to await U2’s arrival. The show is at 7:30pm. After the show, and after each U2 show in Chicago, we are going to have a Fan MeetUp at the Aberdeen Tap on N. Aberdeen, which is on the way back from the United Center to the hotels where most of us are staying. For more information, please click here.

Thursday June 25:
The day of the second Chicago show will be a carbon copy of the first (see above), except I might get to the United Center at 3pm instead of 2pm.

Friday June 26:
The day after the second Chicago show I am going to work from my hotel. When I’m not touring around the country going to U2 shows, I work as a Social Media Manager. Luckily, all I need to work is a wifi connection, electricity and my laptop. This is the night of our much anticipated U2 Fan MeetUp at Pippin’s Tavern across from the Park Hyatt hotel. We have the patio reserved for us from 6 to 11pm. I will have giveaways and copies of my book On the Road with U2: my musical journey. If you would like to join us, please click here.

Saturday June 27:
This will be the first full day I will have to explore Chicago, but I may do my laundry first. I have scheduled a River and Lake Architectural Tour with Seadog Cruises at 3pm leaving from Navy Pier, which I have never been to even though I’ve been to Chicago three times. That night we are having another Fan MeetUp, this time at the Hard Rock Cafe on Ontario Street. Dinner, drinks and giveaways start at 8pm and the UZoo U2 tribute show starts at 10pm. If you would like to join us, please click here.

Sunday June 28:
After a full weekend of eating, drinking and fan meetups, I will just relax in my hotel the day of the third show in Chicago. I will get to the United Center by 3pm to await U2’s arrival. The show is at 7:30pm. Again after the show, and after each U2 show in Chicago, we are going to have a Fan MeetUp at the Aberdeen Tap on N. Aberdeen, which is on the way back from the United Center to the hotels where most of us are staying. For more information, please click here.

Monday June 29:
The day of the fourth Chicago show will be a carbon copy of the third (see above).

Tuesday June 30:
The day after Chicago4, I will spend the day working in my hotel and just relaxing in my room that night.

Wednesday July 1:
The next day I will also be working in my hotel room. That night we may have a third U2 Fan MeetUp, just a casual happy hour type of thing. I will post details here as soon as they become available.

Thursday July 2:
On my last day in Chicago, the day of the fifth and final show in Chicago, I will just relax in my hotel and probably pack for my departure. Maybe I will get to the United Center by 2pm instead of 3. The show is at 7:30pm. This should be an amazing show as it is the only one not in a pair, so we’re expecting some rarities or at least a differently ordered set list. Again after the show, as after each U2 show in Chicago, we are going to have a Fan MeetUp at the Aberdeen Tap on N. Aberdeen, which is on the way back from the United Center to the hotels where most of us are staying. For more information, please click here.

Friday July 3:
Luckily I do not have to get up at dawn the morning after the last U2 show in Chicago. I’ll leave around 10am.

NEW YORK CITY July 18 – 20 and July 26 – Aug 1

Saturday July 18:
On the day of the first U2 show in New York, I am taking the MegasBus up from Baltimore. I arrive in NYC around 11:30am, which should give me enough time to check into the New Yorker Hotel and grab lunch before heading over to Madison Square Garden at 3pm to await U2’s arrival. The concert starts at 8pm.

Sunday July 19:
On the day of the second U2 show in NYC, I’m just going to relax, grab some New York pizza and then head over to MSG around 3pm. The concert starts at 8pm.

Monday July 20:
I leave NYC at 9am the morning after the second U2 show. I’m taking the MegaBus and should be home by noon so I can work.

Sunday July 26:
The following week I’m taking the MegaBus and staying at the Candlewood Suites in Times Square, with a full kitchen for my six days in NYC. I decided to sell my tickets for the third and fourth NYC shows since they were during the week, so I could go to the shows in Denver on a weekend – this gave me less time off work. I should arrive in NYC around 11:30am the day of the fifth U2 show, which will give me enough time to get checked in, unpack, eat lunch and be at MSG by 3pm to await U2’s arrival. The concert is at 8pm.

Monday July 27:
I have no plans as of yet for the day of the sixth U2 show in NYC except bet at MSG by 3pm. The concert starts at 8pm.

Tuesday July 28:
The day after the 6th U2 show, I’m going to work from my hotel and then maybe see a Broadway play that night.

Wednesday July 29:
The next day I will again be working from my hotel. That night I am going to the AtU2 20th Anniversary Party with the great U2 tribute band Unforgettable Fire at the Cutting Room at 7pm. This is sure to be a great night – like a little reunion of the good old days of the Elevation Tour! For more information, please click here.

Thursday July 30:
I have no plans as of yet for the day of the seventh show in NYC except to be at MSG by 3pm. The concert is at 8pm.

Friday July 31:
I have no plans as of yet for the eighth show in NYC and the final North American show of the U2ieTour except to be at MSG by 2pm. The concert is at 8pm.

Saturday August 1:
At some point I wlll leave NYC the day after the final show. I am sure I will have a bit of U2 tour withdraw and will go home and have to dream it all up again. Dream out loud!

FUN FACT: The U2 shows I’m seeing are in four cities in four different time zones. I didn’t plan it that way. It’s just the way it worked out. I think seeing these shows in four different regions will give a vastly different U2 experience in each city.  

I hope to see you on the road with U2 this summer. If you’re in Vancouver, Denver, Chicago or New York City, please find me and say Hi. If you can’t make it to these cities but want to follow the action, then please follow me on twitter @OnTheRoadWithU2. I will be live tweeting the fan meetups and throughout the concerts (if there’s a good signal) – tweeting pictures and videos. I will also be broadcasting live as much as I can on Periscope via Twitter. And of course I will wrap up everything, after every show or after each city, here on my blog.