While I still applaud his efforts to appeal to both sides (I really do believe it provides at least a willingness from the other side to cooperate, rather than the continual intransigence of pure political ideology), I was actually surprised by the amount of people upset by Bono at the Tampa show (yeah, i caved and checked out the U2 Facebook post regarding that stop. immediate regret). Leaving the concert, I couldn't understand how anyone would walk away from the show completely enraged by Bono's talk of... tolerance, I guess? I know, I'm being a tad flippant, and I'm sure the band's "Exit" performance is what set them off... but good god, if anything, it really alarmed me that Trump, for his constant cavalcade of controversial shit and total incompetence in holding public office, has a much bigger fan following than I expected (I mean, he obviously has his supporters, but I didn't expect so many to be so devout).
I've had the same reactions as you when reading people on facebook and elsewhere. This is, to my ears anyways, probably the least we've heard Bono- politically or long stories about other topics- in a number of tours now. The pre One speech can get long some nights, but those who are suggesting it's anywhere near Vertigo level (or even Elevation during the Pride break down some nights) need to go back and refresh their memories.
I'd like to say, to be fair, that that's only apparent to people who have been following U2 for years, but as we've discussed, most of these fans are people who were around during JT when they would've gotten a far more direct and controversial political take.
I too am astounded by the amount of support Trump still seems to have, even at U2 shows. Those who are not Americans on this board, I think, truly don't get the power and masterful messaging of various right wing outlets in this country. They've mainstreamed and normalized absolutely insane, extremist views over the past 25 years and have never taken a day off. So say, in the 1980s, when Reagan was FAR more popular than Trump, it was more down to his image /personality than it was the mainstream acceptance of far right policies that you see now. A small percentage truly believe them, another small group is gullible enough to buy the con and a much larger group just isn't that politically aware and the right wing narrative is all they hear.
What am I saying here.... basically that the tolerance and respect and unity theme that he's pushing is still inherently shared by a vast majority of people, but you have to push up hill against decades of persistent lies (all Muslims will kill you, why let them in???)to get down to those core values. So when Bono asks us to consider Omaima and those like her, a substantial number of people- smart, compassionate people even- not true believers- see him as asking us to let in dangerous or likely dangerous people when that of course is not what they are. They've been conditioned to believe refugee equates to terrorist and that there is no vetting process when people come in.
If you ask that same person in the abstract if we should let in a little girl who got her home destroyed in a war and wants to come here and live peacefully, they'd look at you like you had 10 heads and say "of course we should." But they see the headscarf and the name of the country (Jordanian camp housing Syrians) and they've been hearing that those people are dangerous for years.
Bottom line, I have no issue with anything Bono or U2 are doing with politics this tour, but it will take a lot more than a video at one concert to cure what's wrong with America now.
For what it's worth, 3 personal observations from my shows: LA 2, Pittsburgh, Boston, NJ1.
1) Exit and Trump got laughs and cheers- predominant reaction in all cities but loudest in Boston and LA. Very few surprised/did they just go there reactions and even fewer grumbles or boos. Seemed to go over very well.
2)Ultraviolet and the inspirational women got by far the most eye rolls, boos and audible reactions from the more right leaning members of the audience. They got through Exit and Sarajevo with a head shake or 2, but Ultraviolet did them in. I swear, something about Hillary and Michelle Obama just sets them off in a rage. That's conditioning over the years as well. One guy in front of us in Pittsburgh even put his middle finger up when Michelle Obama came on the screen.
Why? That's something I wouldn't even think of doing when the Bush women or Condi are up there. Even if Trump was up there. My point is this group of people plays by a whole different set of rules now- a deeply bitter, personal and divisive set- than people understand. This is especially true for non Americans and is most DEFINITELY not fully understood by U2, as intelligent and aware of American politics as they all are.
I don't think Bono has any idea he's pissing anyone off.
He certainly did and didn't care at I Heart and Dreamforce before the election when his goals were different, but now, with his stated goal of unity, I think he has very little to no idea he's not getting everyone on board.
3) I went to both I&E and JT with my friend who is almost 60. He's center/left politically like myself. White Italian, working class roots. Voted for Hillary. Supervisor at a unionized shop that makes glass. Has done well and owns rental property now, very comfortable. Doesn't care for far right or far left. Or too much about politics in general, though he knows it's important. He said after I&E "that was outstanding but they're real political, right?" He didn't seem to get the political narrative and how it weaved into the band's story.
This was after the show when they consciously tried to hit us over the head with that narrative! Ironically, at JT, my friend was completely in to the SBS/NYD/Pride political start and despite having made some critical comments about the AIDS piece on I&E, was following along and cheering all the points Bono hit on women, refugees and AIDS/poverty in the encore.
I noticed this reaction but didn't talk to him about it that night. When I saw him a week later he said "hey, I want to tell you something we didn't discuss about that show. We saw them before, but this time, I came away feeling like I actually know and get U2 and what they're about and their place in rock history. They've transformed the live rock and roll show and taken the personal/ political themes always present in the genre and presented them unlike anyone else ever has. "
It amazes me how this band can not only pull new people in, but even get them to truly understand what they are about as a band and as people- EVEN when they missed doing it once! We have our set list/show structure complaints, but I think they do succeed at telling a compelling story with their show every time. Even after all their success and fame, they want to connect with YOU and you to connect with them. They remain humble and thankful- and that to me, is the spirit of the "great life" speech at every show. I don't mind it because they show through their actions that they mean it.
4) I actually thought the non political speeches were informative and entertaining without being too long (like my posts are too long!). The Bad speech has been true to the song. The pre IGC and One Tree Hill speeches are heartfelt and successful attempts to connect and the pre Trip speech is lots of fun. Bono's talks before One Tree Hill- going over Greg Carroll then asking us to remember our own losses and sometimes dedicating it to a time or location appropriate loss have been very resonant. These talks actually remind me of the ones I hear on 80s bootlegs.