News Flash: Third Eye Blind Opening For U2, Stones

By MTV News Staff

September 19, 1997 / 6:13 PM

Third Eye Blind's young career has, thus far, been a clear case of life imitating art, in this case, their own.

"Semi-Charmed Life" indeed.

The band whose debut has already launched two hits, including the top 10 single "Semi-Charmed Life," and given the group much exposure on MTV and in the media has now landed the group opening slots that most experienced bands would kill for.

The band recently scored dates on the Rolling Stones' soon-to-get-underway Bridges To Babylon tour as well as opening dates for U2's PopMart when it swings through the U.S. Bands that have opened or are scheduled to play with these superstar rock acts in the coming months include such big name artists as Oasis, Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters.

Riding high with their top 10 hit, Third Eye Blind just this week firmed up the coveted opening slots.

"They were approached because they were doing well on tour," Third Eye Blind manager Wayne Ledbetter said. "And plain and simply, U2 and the Stones really like their music."

It doesn't hurt, of course, that last year, the pop rockers proved their mettle by acing an opening gig for Oasis -- before Third Eye even had a recording contract. Since signing to Elektra not long after, the group's self-titled debut has fully taken off on alternative radio. "Semi-Charmed Life" and "Graduate" (RealAudio excerpt) are still sitting in the top 20 on the modern-rock charts, while the former sits pretty in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100 singles. The album, meanwhile, climbed a notch this week to #44 on the Top 200 chart.

Third Eye Blind will join Irish rockers U2 on the road beginning Oct. 26 with two dates in Toronto, Ont. From there, they will head to Montreal and then the southern U.S. to open eight shows for Bono and company. Two days after their last U2 show on Nov. 23, the band will fly from San Antonio, Texas to Minneapolis, Minn. to begin a slate of five dates throughout the country warming up audiences for the Stones.

Third Eye Blind Tour Dates with U2:

Oct. 26, 27; Toronto, Ont., Skydome

Nov. 2; Montreal, Que., Olympic Stadium

Nov. 8; St. Louis, Mo., Trans World Dome

Nov. 10; Tampa, Fla., Tampa Stadium

Nov. 12; Jacksonville, Fla., Memorial Stadium

Nov. 21; New Orleans, La., Louisiana Superdome

Nov. 23; San Antonio, Tex., Alamodrome

Third Eye Blind Tour Dates with the Rolling Stones:

Nov. 25; Minneapolis, Minn., HHH Metrodome

Nov. 28; Seattle, Wash., Kingdome

Dec. 2; Detroit, Mich., Silverdome