OMG. I can't believe some people! If I were Bono, reading posts like this would make me want to say 'fuck it all' and drink Guinness for the rest of my life rather than playing for underappreciative "fans".
They are in their late fifties fer Chrissake! How could Live Nation POSSIBLY be dictating that they go out on tour now? The last cycle was two years ago. A band of their stature could easily wait five years, if not more, between tours. Live Nation should just thank God U2 is not Peter Gabriel.
They are out there playing their heart out, have a huge payroll in a shitty-ass global economy, and clock in for work each show instead of offing themselves (I know, too soon--far too soon). I know I am going to savor every minute in Chicago two weeks from Sunday. Even if no one else did, I would enjoy it enough for the entire stadium!
I am so grateful to still have them.
Mike
To me they seem really under rehearsed. The renditions of The Joshua Tree tracks seem really flat and like they're just going through the motions. Bono sounds like he's really struggling with his voice. U2 are perfectionists, they can't possibly be happy with how this is going.
Lets be honest, it's obvious the delay in finishing up and touring Songs of Experience has forced them into doing these gigs to keep Live Nation happy. I have my ticket for London in July and I'm sure I'll enjoy the gig, but it's sad to see the band in decline like this.
While I don't think LiveNation is "making" them tour, I do believe it was highly recommended by them.
And as for how they could pressure them to do something? It's called a contract and billions of dollars.