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U2-Y

U2-Y

Gareth Averill
Arts, Musique

U2-Y follows the design story of one of the biggest bands in rock and roll history.

It aims to celebrate a unique relationship; The creative partnership between designer/art director Steve Averill and the band U2.

This collaboration thrived and endured for over four and a half decades.

Before the sleeves, before any poster or visual ephemera, came the name itself. Steve gave them this name.

'U2'. A letter and a number. We will explore how the name itself became a monolith of design, whether it’s use is dominant or invisible.


Just the 2ofUs.


Steve is guided through the story of his career by his son, giving the series a unique and personal tone.

‘In recent years, I became fascinated by the idea of this creative collaboration enduring for such a long time', Gareth Anton Averill says.

The relationship that my father had with U2 was unique. I recognise this as being one of the longest-running creative relationships in music history, if not any creative or cultural industry.

I believe this is worth exploring and celebrating and asking the question, 'Why?’.

Alongside Steve's personal story, U2Y delves deep into design specifics. Topics discussed include the process of the pre-digital age, early computer-aided design, the advent of the Compact Disc and the explosion of promotional materials.


In essence, U2-Y tells the story of one of the biggest bands in the world from a different perspective; the record sleeve.


From Punk to Pop.


The story begins in 1977 with the Cultural explosion that was punk. Ireland's first punk group, 'The Radiators From Space', founded and fronted by Steve (Rapid), was the catalyst for his connection with U2.

The U2-Y Podcast will examine an album per episode. It begins with the invention of the name, 'U2' itself. It then journeys through each major campaign, up to and including the hyper-vivid years of the Pop album and Pop-mart tour.


Out now:

Episode 1 - Introduction

Episode 2 - Boy

Episode 3 - October


Coming Soon:

May 8th - Episode 4 - War

May 15th - Episode 5 - Unforgettable Fire

May 29th - Episode 6 - The Joshua Tree

TBC - Episode 7 - Achtung Baby 

TBC - Episode 8 - Pop


U2's catalogue appears courtesy of Universal Music Publishing.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 - Bonus - Typesetting, Advertising and Liquid Lights
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  • 14 - Bonus - Typesetting, Advertising and Liquid Lights

    A short bonus episode, taken from an outtake from our very first conversation about Steve's early days as a young man in Ireland, obsessed with rock and roll and design.


    https://www.stephenaverill.com/store


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fri, 08 Sep 2023 - 29min
  • 13 - Chapter 10 - Epilogue Part 2

    The second of two parts that bring the U2-Y podcast to a conclusion.


    Here in the final episode, Gareth and Steve look back across the the series and talk generally about the later stages of Steve's role with U2 and his retirement years.


    NEWS: Steve's store is now live, featuring limited edition prints from his trip to Death Valley in 1986 with U2 for the Joshua Tree cover shoot.


    https://www.stephenaverill.com/store


    Thank you for listening.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fri, 11 Aug 2023 - 52min
  • 12 - Chapter 10 - Epilogue Part 1 - Q&A

    The first of two parts that bring the U2-Y podcast to a conclusion.


    Here in part one, Steve answers questions as submitted by you, the listener.


    NEWS: Steve's store is now live, featuring limited edition prints from his trip to Death Valley in 1986 with U2 for the Joshua Tree cover shoot.


    https://www.stephenaverill.com/store




    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fri, 11 Aug 2023 - 1h 14min
  • 11 - Chapter 9 - Pop

    U2's 9th full length release and possibly their most provocative to date, sees the boundaries pushed even further than before.

    What U2 could look like and what they could sound like was challenged yet again, and possibly for the last time.


    Firmly in the digital age of design, yet its biggest influences were from the Pop Art movement, the design policy for 'Pop' was born out of 'what would Warhol or Liechtenstein do with a computer?'.


    With a highly elaborate tour programme release alongside a stage show that fed back into the sleeve design, there is plenty to talk about in our penultimate episode.


    Got questions for Steve?

    Ask him anything and we'll answer your questions on the finale.

    https://www.stephenaverill.com/u2y

    https://www.stephenaverill.com/asksteve




    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mon, 26 Jun 2023 - 58min
  • 10 - Chapter 8 - Zooropa

    Vorsprung durch technik .. or 'Advancement through technology'.


    'Zooropa', U2's 8th record, is effectively a companion release for 'Achtung Baby' that sprung out of the Zoo TV and Zooropa tour.


    This release holds great significance to our story. It is the first time the computer finds its way into the design studio and thus the first digital record sleeve that Steve art directed. It marked the dawn of a new era of design.


    In this shorter chat, we talk about Zooropa and the wide gamut of merchandise in the campaign including the Propaganda magazine, U2's own dedicated publication.


    https://www.stephenaverill.com/u2y

    www.instagram.com/stephenaverilldesign


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mon, 19 Jun 2023 - 28min
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