4. U2
atU2.com
Launch Date October 1995
What You'll Find The site's more than 20 staffers are there to make sure in this case, you do find what you're looking for. The sophisticated page design includes links to current U2 articles, a daily digest of news, and a glut of other extras for the truly fanatic (such as a searchable price guide for collector's items).
Why It's Essential If you ever need to verify a lyric to win a bet, you won't find a more credible source than this (the site received publishing rights from Universal Music). Most important, @U2 doesn't salivate over Larry Mullen Jr.'s burly triceps (it's better to see them in person anyway) with an overkill of beefcake photos — so it's a fansite you won't be embarrassed to visit.
Official Site U2.com
If you buy the $45 annual subscription, you get a free live album and limited edition T-shirt, plus exclusive interviews, streaming tracks from their entire catalog, memorabilia offers, and usually a leg up on concert tickets. — Vanessa Juarez
