The first of April saw one of the biggest and well planned April fool’s jokes in Cork. Red fm decided to stage the elaborate prank with cooperation from The Garda, The Cork City Fire Service, The Blackpool Shopping Centre management and local band U2opia. The venue was the Blackpool Shopping Centre on the roof of the Bank of Ireland. The prank that Red FM broadcast was that world famous super group U2 was touring around Ireland at secret locations to promote their new album launch. This was the story they broadcast in the days leading up to April 1st. Photos & report by Shane Supple

It was carried out with military precision, At 4am on the Wed morning the band and equipment arrived at Blackpool Shopping centre, all the equipment was manhandled onto the roof through a skylight and under the breaking dawn a stage was built up, sound equipment wired up, Security railings put in place, A stretch limo parked at the side doors the red carpet rolled out. Red Fm had outside broadcasting gear set up. The Garda had traffic cones in place, a squad car with flashing lights parked in front of the centre. Security guards all in yellow overalls with radios stood around the perimeter, this was the real deal at approx eight o’clock the band started playing many of the U2 hits.

It was like a calling to the wild, the music drifted over Blackpool towards the city which was just waking up. Red fm made the big announcement “U2 were actually playing in Blackpool, on the roof of the shopping centre” people arrived on foot, by car, those on the way to work stopped, got out of the cars and watched the unfolding spectacle of U2 playing live. From where the fans were standing they couldn’t get a proper glimpse of the band on the rooftop but to many it was the real deal, U2 were playing in Cork. With radio bulletins going out every few minutes, the perfect sound of the music, every note every beat this was U2. Where the streets have no name, Pride, and other hits rang out, with Bono telling the crowd how good it was to be in Cork after almost 15 years since their last gig, fans were over the moon. With camera crews from the television stations, photographers in abundance, even this reporter was fooled and I had been there since seven am setting up with the band.

“It had to be them” many fans were phoning friends “Guess who’s playing on the roof of the Blackpool shopping centre” they cried into the phones, the whole effect was a very well put together staged prank. Then the worst thing that could happen did. The Garda and Fire services combined decided that it was not safe to continue and decided that the impromptu concert would have to end. By now the band had been playing for half an hour before the Fire brigade raised their ladders to the rooftop with fire officer Vincent Farr and Garda Nicky McMahon both waving at the band and telling them to stop playing, end the concert now. This was the same thing that had happened to U2 in America some years before and it was happening again. With the crowd shouting encouragement and telling the band play on Bono announced that this was the last song. With the music ringing in everyone’s ears Bono finished the set and thanked the people of Cork for a great reception stating that up until now there was no venue big enough to hold the band but Blackpool was big enough for them?

By this stage the roof was full of Firemen, Garda & Security and with one last wave to the crowd Bono was then escorted down the building into the waiting limo where a Garda escort proceeded to drive the lead singer of the biggest band in the world away.  As the car pulled out of the car park with sirens blaring many people tried to get a closer look but the blacked out windows of the limo prevented this, still cameras flashed, phones were recording this momentous occasion. After the band had moved on many people were still left wondering “was that really U2″. This reporter was approached as I had been on the rooftop with the band and I was asked, was that really Bono?, What’s he like?, are they coming back?. What could I say, only yes to all the above.

Its not often that a prank can be carried out so well and even make the national news as was witnessed on RTE 1 and Network 2 and TV3. I am sure Bono and the lads enjoyed it, and when people found out that in fact it was not U2 they had seen but local band U2opia many just shook their heads and smiled adding “sure twas a great stunt and only a Cork group could carry that off.”. Well done to Brian O Glanby and his band for fooling everyone with his wonderful singing and the bands great musicianship. April 1st and many U2 fans still didn’t find what they were looking for.

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