U2 rooftop gig at the BBC

john ousby — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:41:12 +0000

U2 performed a few songs from the roof of the BBC’s Broadcasting House in London last night. Early activity on blogs, message boards and twitter ensured that there were some diehards finding the best vantage points for this “secret” gig from quite early in the afternoon. As it approached 6.45 the police closed off Portland Place and the band stepped out to perform ‘Get On Your Boots’, ‘Magnificent’, ‘Vertigo/Substitute/She Loves You’ medley and ‘Beautiful Day’.

There were several thousand people on the street and loads of disappointed people who all had the great idea that they would get to the top floor “heights” bar in the hotel next door for an amazing view. unfortunately the whole bar was closed off for a private do. I was lucky enough to get a view from my office.

Regardless of what you think about U2, (i’m not a big fan myself) this was an amazing spectacle. There was a great atmostphere with the sound of cheers, electric guitar and overhead helicopters mingling together. It felt like you were part of something special.

more pictures and some short video clips on my flickr site, and much more on the BBC website

hidden beauty

john ousby — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:03:03 +0000

Thanks to Mike Todd for the shots of this beautiful and rarely seen stone carving from Eric Gill, uncovered during the renovation work on the old BBC Broadcasting House in early 2005. Gill sculpted Prospero and Ariel in 1932 and it sits proudly on the front of BH above the main entrance. He left this carving on a panel behind the main sculpture as a surprise for future generations. Gill was a contemporary of Modigliani, and both were influenced by Rodin.

Gill was multi faceted, giving us several typefaces, including Gill Sans (the BBC font), and many beautiful carvings, sculptures and engravings. Ariel is also the name of the BBC staff magazine. Much has also been said about his unorthodox and plainly weird behaviour. A part of the Prospero and Ariel statue had to be reduced in size rather promptly after the official unveiling – I don’t think you’ll have to guess too hard which bit it was after reading the wikipedia article…

Prospero and Ariel

BBC Broadcasting House, London

images of the stone carving with kind permission from Mike Todd (copyright Mike Todd). All other images are my own.

Fatcontroller » BH

U2 rooftop gig at the BBC

hidden beauty