Should the U2 Conference come to Duke?
Should it? Let us know!
We are still weighing our options and please keep in mind that no decision has been made yet, but now we have another strong contender in Duke University and the Duke Divinity School for hosting the U2 conference this fall.
The dates would be Thursday evening, October 1 - Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2009.
U2 makes a tour stop Saturday evening, October 3, in Raleigh at the Carter Finley Stadium.
We figured we’d put the question to you. Leave a comment here or talk about it on the facebook group Duke Friends of the U2 Conference.
A few items of interest about Duke and the Durham area:
1. It’s serviced by the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
2. It’s in the “triangle” region of North Carolina, anchored by the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and Duke University are located in this region.
3. The Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau site has more information on the region.
4. Check out the university websites for more information about Duke and the Duke Divinity School.
Start talking, asking questions and inviting your friends to get in on the discussion
Thanks!
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Yes!
Flying into RDU is cheap, lodging in Durham is inexpensive, and the Triangle is a pretty darn good place to spend a few days. (Or years!)
I should also mention how much enthusiasm is abroad on campus for projects that cross disciplinary lines and push boundaries. Not unlike our favorite band.
Comment by Ruthan — May 15, 2009 @ 1:31 am
I second what Ruthan has said!
Comment by Brandy — May 15, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
I like this idea much better than the Oxford option - RDU is cheaper for me to get to. Two questions, however:
1) Could the conference dates be adjusted for that first weekend in October?
2) Would we be on our own for getting tickets to the concert in Raleigh?
Comment by Bob Derrenbacker — May 15, 2009 @ 6:01 pm
My preference is for Duke, though I’d happily attend and present at either location. It seems to me, though, that Duke is much more accessible and practical.
Comment by Jordan Berard — May 15, 2009 @ 6:02 pm
I hold my tears in! Bummer, the northeast was much easier for this Delaware fan! Hope you all have a wonderful time.
Comment by Doris — May 15, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
Yes, Duke!!
Comment by Elysia — May 15, 2009 @ 6:07 pm
Bob - How so adjusted? What dates do you have in mind?
And yes, you would be on your own to get a ticket to the U2 concert. Last I checked, there were tickets at all price levels, though no more for the field GA standing option.
Comment by Scott — May 15, 2009 @ 6:12 pm
If U2 is in Raleigh then so am I !!
Comment by Michelle — May 15, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
DUKE — Absolutely. I did part of my graduate work there. Gorgeous area and lovely campus. Inexpensive places to stay, but lots of good restaurants, pubs, etc. Vibrant local musical culture, especially rock, folk, blues etc.
As a speaker, I’ll go wherever it is held, but Duke is the best choice I’ve yet heard.
Comment by Prof. Grant Horner — May 15, 2009 @ 6:27 pm
I would come to the Duke conference in a heartbeat, BUT NEVER for those dates.
During the concert tour??? No way.
I am going to the Charlottesville, VA show on October 1 and the Raleigh show on October 3, like MANY, MANY people I know.
NONE of us would go to the conference, though we’d want to and wish it would be at a different time.
I think you will find attendance DOWN rather than ‘up’ if you have this conference while U2 is right in the middle of touring. The money people have to spend on vacations will be spent SEEING U2, not going to a conference about them. And having the conference right at the time they’re playing in NC and the neighboring state of VA? When people will be attending those SHOWS, not the conference???
I fear this is a bad decision.
I would come to the Duke site for the conference in a New York minute, but NOT while U2 is on tour and NEVER while U2 is playing in that very area and I’ll be at the show.
Comment by Jennifer — May 15, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
If the conference is to be this fall, my vote (as I said on the Oxford post) is for a date that ties in with the tour (I don’t quite understand Jennifer’s comment, since the point of the Duke date is that attendees would find it very easy to combine the conference with seeing U2’s Raleigh show.) Duke would be great for many reasons on its own merits, as well.
I’d still be quite happy with Oxford… As others have said, I will attend and give my paper wherever it ends up.
Comment by Beth Maynard — May 15, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
My comment has to do with the majority of U2 fans that I know who are going to the U2 show in Raleigh on October 3 and are also going to be in VIRGINIA at the October 1 Charlottesville show. They’ll be traveling on the 2nd as well.
How can they attend the conference???
Not to mention, MONEY.
People will choose to spend their money seeing shows, not going to a conference about the band they’d be able to go and see instead. It makes no sense.
I’ve talked to 23 people I know about this. NONE plan to go for these very reasons, but wanted to, otherwise.
The consensus of what we all talked about was, “Why not do this in January or February,” when there’s not much else going on - - it’s in between tours and after the holidays.
You need to realize that there is a HUGE contingent of U2 fans that TRAVEL to multiple shows. That has to be factored into these decisions.
The GAers wait in line all day to get in. They’re not going to be attending a conference instead. For this tour, there are, what . . . 10,000 GA tickets? That’s a lot of potential attendees you’re gonna be missing.
Comment by Jennifer — May 15, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
Duke. YES!!! Great choice.
Comment by Janet Pollack — May 15, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
the only REAL place to have the conference is New York…think about—
Comment by D — May 15, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
Scott - Dates adjusted to correspond with the weekend, i.e., Oct 2-4 (Fri-Sun), vs. Oct 1-3…
Comment by Bob Derrenbacker — May 15, 2009 @ 9:02 pm
Of course the thing about having the conference taking place near/at a concert location is that it increases the chances that we might see at least one member of the band at the conference…
Comment by Bob Derrenbacker — May 15, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
Jennifer,
I don’t mean to rag on you, but I doubt most people will be going to multiple shows. – especially ones in the same region. Also, I have a hard time believing that $$ is such a huge problem for you and your friends if you plan on going to multiple U2 shows, even with the bottom price tickets starting at $30.
Furthermore, regarding losing/gaining folks because of that date I would guarentee that we’ll gain two or three people for every one we lose if we have it at Duke during those dates. Case in point: I am an Resident Assistant (RA) in the freshman residence halls @ Duke and also a Masters of Theological Studies student in the Divinity School – both places where I have observed a very large U2 following. By having the conference at Duke right before U2 play Raleigh (only about 20 miles away) it is very likely that a tremendous number of students and folks in the area will be willing to pay the entrance fee to come to the conference given the excitement of the moment versus if we had it months down the road. And, lets face it – at the end of the day, no date is going to be perfect for everybody.
Comment by Leif Erik — May 15, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
Yes, I absolutely agree that the dates need to be adjusted to correspond with the weekend. As a grad student and instructor, I will not be able to make it to the Thursday panels.
Comment by Jordan Berard — May 16, 2009 @ 12:15 am
GO DUKE!!!!
Comment by Dick Cole — May 16, 2009 @ 5:13 am
GO HEELS!!!! If it happens at Duke, be sure you all visit lovely Chapel Hill.
Comment by Katie — May 16, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
yes go duke!!!!We would welcome U2 with open arms!!!
Comment by meredith — May 16, 2009 @ 11:38 pm
that would be amazing
Comment by jess — May 17, 2009 @ 1:54 am
I’m all for Duke. And the dates work. I would travel from Philly for the conference, but it will be worth it, I’m sure. The prospect of seeing a concert at the end of the event is the icing on the cake!
Comment by David — May 17, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
I’d much prefer Duke –
Comment by Kevin Dettmar — May 18, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
My only feedback at this point is that I would still prefer spring 2010 for logistical reasons, i.e. I’m a student/paper presenter at the conference and it would be easier to schedule time off from work/school to attend the conference when the spring semester is over…but failing all else, it would be good to know what the official date/time/location will be sooner than later so arrangements can be made in a timely fasion, time off for conference/travel can be made in advance, money can be saved, etc. Just practical concerns for me at this point. Thanks for all your effort to make the conference happen!
Comment by Rachel Seiler — May 19, 2009 @ 6:15 am
Duke has a home football game that weekend, so scheduling could be a challenge. Granted, football is not as popular as basketball at Duke but does still bring ppl into town.
Comment by Lenni — May 19, 2009 @ 7:02 pm
BTW: Plans were in place and contracts had been issued for the Oct 3 concert to be held at Duke, not in Raleigh but Duke could not clear the football game.
Comment by Lenni — May 19, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
Duke is, without question, a great location for a conference of this nature. As a Duke undergraduate I can attest to the huge following U2 has on campus. With proper publicity, which Duke always does a superb job with, undergraduate attendence to this conference would be sizable. When combined with vistors and other Duke affiliated participation this event could, for lack of a better term be, “pushed over the top.” In addition, Duke’s magnificant campus is absolutely stunning in early fall and would provide the perfect backdrop to explore the scope of U2’s influence.
Comment by Nick Valilis — May 19, 2009 @ 8:32 pm
Duke would be fine. I’ve got tickets to the Las Vegas show, so as long as the dates don’t conflict, I’d be happy with Duke. Either way it’s going to be expensive to fly from Alaska.
dkline
Comment by Dan Kline — May 19, 2009 @ 9:25 pm
Rachel’s concerns with the date of the conference are similar to my own. As a student presenter, the dates are difficult.
Comment by Jordan Berard — May 19, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
Consider bringing the conference to Oxford, MS — the site of the first 2008 Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. Oxford would welcome the conference with open arms. Yes, U2 in The Grove has a nice ring to it. Doesn’t Duke get enough press all ready?
Comment by Mike Staton — May 21, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
Duke is a great option–multiple great universities in the area, a city that is very diverse and building its relationship with the university, an airport with reasonable fares compared to other university cities, and a cost of living (and lodging) that is cheaper than any city with a university of its caliber.
Comment by Shawn — May 25, 2009 @ 9:43 pm
Located in Research Triangle Park, which is home to many organizations that are contributing to the advancement of global health care and the elimination of poverty (a major priority of U2 and its charitable endeavors), is ideal. Moreover, Durham has similarities to New Orleans (where the band has spent time and resources to restore the city in light of Katrina) as it battles back from the socioeconomic tsunami that occurred in the 60s. In addition to the comments of the other readers, these factors contribute to Duke being a perfect setting for a discussion of U2’s impact in the United States and abroad.
Comment by Andrew — May 26, 2009 @ 1:16 am
Hoping you’ll decide to hold it at Duke early October. Can I help with it?
Comment by Margaret — May 26, 2009 @ 2:33 am
I can’t think of a better spot for such a conference considering our diversity across all levels of society with leadership in entrepreneurship, spiritual life and academic thought. Plus, it’d be cool to get them to record a “jingle” for DurhamCares.org
Comment by Henry Kaestner — May 26, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
With four major universities within 30 minutes, I think Duke is the ideal place for the conference. I’m a student at Duke Divinity School, and I know that there is a rapidly growing awareness and interest in the intersection between theology and arts, particularly how that intersection speaks into economic, social, and ecclesial divisions. So the Div school would be excited about such a conference. But more importantly, the content of this conference spans across a wide array of disciplines and types of people, and I think that having so many universities in the area would make Duke the appropriate location.
Comment by Reynolds — May 26, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
Brilliant comments all. IF the conference is going to be during the Fall tour, and IF it is going to b either at Ole Miss or at Duke, I choose Duke, hands down for the obvious connection to the North Carolina U2 concert.
I will promote the conference regardless on Interference, but I may only attend the North Carolina version (even though my stepson will be living in Oxford at that time) because I had already made plans with an old and dear friend to catch this show (he will likely join me at the conference).
As I have said elsewhere, if Oxford is the choice, please wait until 2010.
Walk on, rock on!
Comment by Andy Smith — May 27, 2009 @ 10:43 pm
One reason that Duke seems like a logical choice is the geographical location…Raleigh/Durham is comparitively mid-way up the coast, so it would be easier for people from both north and south to get there. Mississippi is so far south that it might somewhat discourage people from further north to attend, especially those who would be driving rather than flying.
Comment by L.S.N. — May 27, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
I don’t know about geographical problems. I live in Mississippi and have flown to Portland, Boston and have driven to St. Louis to see U2. Besides, Atlanta is not too far of a drive to see U2 right after the conference — which is what we plan to do — on a charter bus, full of fans and musicians.
Comment by Oxfordgal — May 28, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
Since I’ll already be traveling to Raleigh to see U2 on the third, holding the conference at Duke will be the only way I attend. I’m a pastor who is finishing up his M.Th and would love to attend. If my travel partner is interested enough to attend the conference, then I’m totally in. Side note: This is coming from a die-hard UK basketball fan that has sworn at various stages of life never to set foot on Duke’s campus…
Comment by Jamie — May 28, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
Yes, Duke would be a perfect venue for a U2 Conference! The Duke Initiative in Theology and the Arts brings Jeremy Begbie onboard as Thomas A. Langford Research Professor of Theology(http://www.divinity.duke.edu/programs/dita). His work in theology and the arts and the energy he has generated has encouraged
a new student group (called Creation Arts)to form on campus. They, and others, are rallying support for this venue to come to Duke so that the spirit of engaging the arts and theology will move from a seed, to a deeply planted tree under whose shade artists can rest, create and engage the world at large. I, personally, think all this great energy makes Duke the place for U2 to have a conference.
Comment by Luba Zakharov — May 29, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Come on Duke! Let’s have it there for sure. I agree with everything listed above.
Comment by Michele — May 29, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
I was on Fox News last night promoting Ole Miss. We now have the support of Memphis, Clarksdale, Oxford and Ole Miss. HOTTY TODDY!
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/mississippi/060109_Ole_Miss_Wants_U2_to_Come_to_Oxford
Check out the link - to see my interview from the Powerhouse in Downtown Oxford.
Comment by Oxfordgal — June 2, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
Since U2 are playing in Raleigh on Oct. 3, if the conference is really going to be over that weekend, it makes no sense for it to be anywhere but at Duke. I already have a ticket for the Raleigh show and would be happy to attend if the conference is in the area. Conversely, if it is in Miss. there is no way I will attend. I’m sure there are many others who are in the same situation.
Comment by Nancy Briggs — June 2, 2009 @ 7:11 pm