A new wall for Berlin, U2 at centre of controversy

A free U2 show marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall has been marred by controversy over an act many are labelling "ridiculous and ironic."

Concert organisers MTV, along with local promoters and police, erected a two-metre-high metal barrier to ensure those without tickets (which were free online) couldn't enter.

The irony of building a wall around a concert dedicated to the fall of another wall was not lost on the public ...

Local politician Frank Henkel told the BBC, "It's a shame that a barrier has been set up. It's stopping many Berliners from hearing the concert."

Fans were also upset. "It's completely ridiculous that they are blocking the view," said ticket-less Canadian Louis-Pierre Boily, who travelled to Berlin hoping to catch a glimpse of the Irish rockers at the free show.

MTV responded in a statement: "MTV wants to ensure that the 10,000 music fans expected to attend tonight's production enjoy a safe and happy experience ... Under no circumstances did MTV build a 'wall' of any kind ..."

U2's 1990 album, Achtung Baby, was a tribute to German reunification, calling for people to "scale these city walls." Time to revisit old sentiments, Bono?

6 Nov 2009