Bono's rockstar posturing in U23D

[Superflysrb]

So I saw the movie last night...and well, while I enjoyed it...I couldn't help but get annoyed at how Bono's rock star posturing has gotten really cheesy.
Was it always this bad?
He was cool on Zoo TV and Popmart and in Elevation he kept it in check...but it just seems like recently he's become a rockstar cliche with his poses and what appears like choreographed movements (i.e. I'm gonna take off my sunglasses now and look at the camera).
Maybe it's become U2 has become more middle of the road as of late...and since they're always trying to get a more mainstream audience he feels he needs to pander to that...but, I dunno...it just seemed so cheesy.
Am I alone on this?

 

[elevated_u2_fan]

 

[The Sad Punk]

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

that smiley! perfect!


here's one

 

[gvox]

Guys, this might be a sincere question!

In which case, a possible answer might be that the theme of the tour was Irony?

 

[A stor]

I haven't see the film as of yet. Since, I suffer from migraine headaches. I may have to pass on this. But, I understand your point.

Bono does pose for the cameras. It is purposeful and calculated. Perhaps, he feels it connects him with the audience, especially the young women. Who scream with delight. When, Bono performs certain gestures and dance moves.

 

[The Sad Punk]

To me, this was kind of derived from Zoo TV, but he no longer saw the intended bullshit as ironic and silly, and instead thought duplicating some of that wackiness was nothin' but the Road to Cool for the youths.

however I may be wrong.

 

[KUEFC09U2]

so this is just yet another thread to slag bono off?

 

[zoopop]

I just saw Van Halen last night w/ David Lee Roth as the frontman........Bono is doing just fine.

 

[An Cat Gav]

To me, this was kind of derived from Zoo TV, but he no longer saw the intended bullshit as ironic and silly, and instead thought duplicating some of that wackiness was nothin' but the Road to Cool for the youths.

however I may be wrong.

I hope not, but I fear that you're right.

 

[The Sad Punk]

Gav, sometimes I wonder how I can take your posts too seriously. Because you have such a fantastic avatar that makes me chortle at the thought of it.

(I also 'hope not').

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

so this is just yet another thread to slag bono off?

yep pretty much..

 

[lmixristhebest]

I saw the movie last night. I thought Bono's posing was appropriate & just what I expected from post-Joshua Tree Bono. He's probably the most famous rock star in the world; I don't mind his posturing, since it's kind of expected from people in that position.

 

[LPU2]

I'm one of those 25-year U2 fans who thinks they're better now than they've ever been, both live and on record.

However, those poses bug the hell out of me too. It's not just the poses either. It's the dumpy black jackets, the stringy long hair and the ubiquitous colored shades, but that's another topic.

I think Bono thinks his sweeping gestures have to be as big as his music. Jim Kerr used to do the same thing. And he has to do SOMETHING up there, but he really should tone down the "rockstar" posturing. It's really not who he is and we all know it.

I've always found Bono at his most endearing at the end of the show, during One, Walk On, 40 or Yahweh, when the mask comes off and he becomes himself again.

 

[gvox]

I just saw Van Halen last night

I heard they were using a sequencer for the keys in Jump..did you notice? seems wrong, somehow..

 

[BVS]

Watch the JT concert from the anniversary edition and you'll see the same thing. It's just as choregraphed(pull the big man from the audience) and posed...

I think is just easier to watch a young man do this rather than a middle aged man...

 

[pepokiss]

it doesn't matter if you think Bono's rock poses are cliché... you're still gonna die in 7 days

 

[zuropa_fit]

I'm one of those 25-year U2 fans who thinks they're better now than they've ever been, both live and on record.

However, those poses bug the hell out of me too. It's not just the poses either. It's the dumpy black jackets, the stringy long hair and the ubiquitous colored shades, but that's another topic.

I think Bono thinks his sweeping gestures have to be as big as his music. Jim Kerr used to do the same thing. And he has to do SOMETHING up there, but he really should tone down the "rockstar" posturing. It's really not who he is and we all know it.

I've always found Bono at his most endearing at the end of the show, during One, Walk On, 40 or Yahweh, when the mask comes off and he becomes himself again.

Unless the rockstar posturing IS his real self and the 'sincerity' at the end of the show is the mask. Makes you think

 

[Superflysrb]

I'm not trying to be anti-Bono here...I just couldn't help but think some of his moves are so cheesy - like he's trying too hard. It's hard to take him seriously.

 

[gvox]

Unless the rockstar posturing IS his real self and the 'sincerity' at the end of the show is the mask. Makes you think

I think he's on to something, folks.

 

[last unicorn]

It doesn't bother me at all. A rockstar without posing isn't a rockstar. This is what makes Bono a good frontman, he's more than just a singer. That's the role he's playing in the band. Strangely, I found things he did in the past more annoying. It's all show and it's part of the band's greatness.

 

[The Sad Punk]

A rockstar without posing isn't a rockstar.

Is posing more important than talent, confidence, low fatigability and likability?

 

[popsadie]

I kind of like the posing. Rock...or indie...has plenty of low key performers who "play the music and that is it"...personally, I like the theatricality of Bono's frontman work.

 

[last unicorn]

Is posing more important than talent, confidence, low fatigability and likability?

No, but Bono has all the attributes you named, at least in my opinion. But he's more than just a singer, songwriter, artist ... he's a great frontman and rockstar, that's why posing is part of the job description.

But from all the performances I've seen without Bono posing, I am very certain that the man indeed does have some talent.

 

[gvox]

He might be just a goof-ball.

Yeah, I think that's it.

And I love it.

 

[partygirl43]

Well.....I think he definately ramps it up for the camera. I attended the Chicago shows that were filmed for the Vertigo tour and noticed his posturing was alittle more exagurated. Then a few months later at the Cleveland show...he seemed toned down.

I sure its like being an actor on stage, you're noy just playing for the first three rows...you have to convay everything to the last three rows.

Plus, he's smallish so its cute.......

 

[Salome]

It doesn't bother me at all. A rockstar without posing isn't a rockstar. This is what makes Bono a good frontman, he's more than just a singer. That's the role he's playing in the band. Strangely, I found things he did in the past more annoying. It's all show and it's part of the band's greatness.

same here

I actually feel he has toned the posing down
or at least is doing it at more appropriate moments

 

[hibricc]

Well.....I think he definately ramps it up for the camera. I attended the Chicago shows that were filmed for the Vertigo tour and noticed his posturing was alittle more exagurated. Then a few months later at the Cleveland show...he seemed toned down.

I sure its like being an actor on stage, you're noy just playing for the first three rows...you have to convay everything to the last three rows.

I think you've got it right. Bono's poses and theatrical gestures have to be exaggerated enough for people in the nosebleeds to get it. Almost like opera.... Yes, it may look a bit silly to the folks down front - but they're so close they couldn't care less!

 

[bonocomet]

Watch a JT concert and see way more of the rock star posing. But so what... he is a rock star
Would you rather he just stand there and sing? (or play guitar? )
I think what he does now is fine, he's fun to watch, and I think you are seeing his personality come out when he sings. No way could he just stand there and sing. Also any posing done is always in personality with the song, so I think you are just seeing what he's feeling.

 

[waynetravis]

I don't mind him posing. He's an icon, so I wouldn't expect anything less from him.
Heck, I posed along with him