This is the Vertigo Tour, not the African awareness tour

[jammin909]

I am proud of Bono for volunteering hundreds of hours towards a cause he cares so deeply about but does anyone else cringe when he sings "do it for africa" during the show. I think he should keep his Africa message out of the shows. It would be easier to swallow if the band was on a benefit tour. I saw Pearl Jam on the VFC tour last year and it was acceptable to hear Eddie rant about politics bc that was the mission for the whole tour.

Every city they are playing this year has problems. If anything, I would like to see them promote a different local charity every night and give fans a chance to donate or even donate a small percentage of merchandise sales to that cuase.

I may be out of line but just my opinion......

 

[ramblin rose]

Well since there aren't thousands of Americans dying everyday I guess the emergency happening as we speak in Africa maybe takes a little precedent for Bono.

Maybe the fact that you're evening mentioning this is an indication of why the problems in that continent aren't really being addressed.


"Every city he's visiting has problems", last time I checked there weren't thousand of people dying on a daily basis. I'm sure if this was happening in every city in the US we would be hearing about it during the concerts.

This type of post just confirms the lack of awareness that there must be here in the U.S. regarding what's going on in Africa, or maybe you are aware but just don't really care?

No offense.

 

[devalera1]

20,000 people die every day because of extreme poverty, a large majority of which die in Africa. As Bono has said, it's not a cause, it's an emergency. If you don't want to hear about it, don't go to the show

 

[Erin go bragh]

If I'm not mistaken, I think Mr. Paul Hewson has stated on more than one occassion that he likes the idea of rock n roll changing the world....changing people's lives. Sure, there may be other "good causes" that could benefit from his mentioning or time but as ramblin rose pointed out, the most glaring problem appears to be in Africa. Who is out there onthe stump trying to help them? If there is someone, it's more than likely cuz that mad Irishman convinced them to do so.

I think when you purchase a ducket to a U2 concert, you do so with the expectation that Bono is gonna preach at some point. But look at it this way. if Jesus just decided to bite his lip and notspread the word of God, what would the Christian faith be today? I'm not a bible thumper by any means, but my point is, if you don't make a ruckus and point to a problem, the problem gets ignored and nothing gets done about it. I'm sure once Bono feels enough people are involved in the humanitarian effort in Africa, and that it can be sustained, he will turn his attention to a more glaring need. It's what he does.

 

[elevation]

How cynical is one allowed to be? I think it's absolutely great he is doing it... I for one could certainly learn a lesson or two...

 

[stonethrowerj]

I wonder if he'll preach the same thing when he is Europe?

Didn't they switch the half time show from gun control to something different for the Elevation tour?

 

[cardosino]

20,000 people die every day because of extreme poverty, a large majority of which die in Africa. As Bono has said, it's not a cause, it's an emergency. If you don't want to hear about it, don't go to the show

"all work and no play" and all that. I doubt anyone at the show isn't alreayd well aware of the issues, I also doubt anyone is going there to be more informed about the issue, it's not like a Sarajevo-type thing where the news of what was going wasn't getting to the outside world.

Sometimes people just want to pay money to let off some steam, go have some fun, be entertained and watch thei rfavourite group.

I've been a U2 fan since '81, and this is the one time I think Bono is overdoing it, the fact that it's starting to piss people off shows it's on the verge of backfiring, now what good will THAT do ?

Let's see, you're telling 20,000 people something they already know, and now you're starting to piss some of them off. Looks like a net loss to me.

 

[Erin go bragh]

"all work and no play" and all that. I doubt anyone at the show isn't alreayd well aware of the issues, I also doubt anyone is going there to be more informed about the issue, it's not like a Sarajevo-type thing where the news of what was going wasn't getting to the outside world.

Sometimes people just want to pay money to let off some steam, go have some fun, be entertained and watch thei rfavourite group.

I've been a U2 fan since '81, and this is the one time I think Bono is overdoing it, the fact that it's starting to piss people off shows it's on the verge of backfiring, now what good will THAT do ?

Let's see, you're telling 20,000 people something they already know, and now you're starting to piss some of them off. Looks like a net loss to me.

So then it's just a matter of indifference with people? I don't know what's worse; an Irishman asking for help from those who can, or 20,000 people who just don't give a fuck (actually, I do know what's worse....the question was rhetorical).

And just a quick scan of today's headlines on CNN.com

- Johnny Cochrane, who helped a doube murderer get off, dies at 67.

- US Supreme Court says age bias need not be deliberate.

- Terry Shiavo still isn't being fed.

- Ex Boy Scout official to plead guilty to child pornography charges.


There's a few others up there too, none of which discusses the death of thousands in Africa from disease or starvation.

Yep, the news is just spreadin the plight of those people all over the place.

 

[Ellay]

I wonder if he'll preach the same thing when he is Europe?

Didn't they switch the half time show from gun control to something different for the Elevation tour?

I went to two elevation tour concerts in London.

At the first one they played the Charlton Heston gun video

At the second I went to (which was actually the third concert in london) they debuted the Burma human rights video.

 

[cardosino]

So then it's just a matter of indifference with people? I don't know what's worse; an Irishman asking for help from those who can, or 20,000 people who just don't give a fuck (actually, I do know what's worse....the question was rhetorical).

20,000 people who don't give a f**k ? How did you make that massive leap of logic ? How about 20,000 people who DO give a f**K who might think they didn't come to hear about that but came to hear more music/less preaching ? I care about poverty, the state of the economy, interest rates, inflation, bipolar disorder (due to my son) etc, but I didn't come to hear about those either, doesn't mean I don't give a f**K now does it ?

And just a quick scan of today's headlines on CNN.com

- Johnny Cochrane, who helped a doube murderer get off, dies at 67.

- US Supreme Court says age bias need not be deliberate.

- Terry Shiavo still isn't being fed.

- Ex Boy Scout official to plead guilty to child pornography charges.


There's a few others up there too, none of which discusses the death of thousands in Africa from disease or starvation.

Yep, the news is just spreadin the plight of those people all over the place.

There is plenty of info available for those who care to delve deeper. when Bono makes a visit to any dignitary, makes a speech, gets nominated for nobel prize, etc it's always on the news too. See, like it or not, the news tend to report on the most recently occurring "newsworthy" events. That goes for RTE(?), BBC, CNN, Reuters, Pravda, whoever.

 

[BostonAnne]

I wonder if he'll preach the same thing when he is Europe?

Didn't they switch the half time show from gun control to something different for the Elevation tour?

I have no doubt that he will. I don't view it as preaching, I view it as educating.

 

[bcrt2000]

I am proud of Bono for volunteering hundreds of hours towards a cause he cares so deeply about but does anyone else cringe when he sings "do it for africa" during the show. I think he should keep his Africa message out of the shows. It would be easier to swallow if the band was on a benefit tour. I saw Pearl Jam on the VFC tour last year and it was acceptable to hear Eddie rant about politics bc that was the mission for the whole tour.

Every city they are playing this year has problems. If anything, I would like to see them promote a different local charity every night and give fans a chance to donate or even donate a small percentage of merchandise sales to that cuase.

I may be out of line but just my opinion......

you need some fucking awareness before people help a cause

 

[Vorsprung]

This thread itself couldn't be a better example for why Bono is probably doing what he is doing. We're discussing the subject!!! He makes people aware. Not just the hardcore fan who knows he's into all this and therefor may be into it as well, but also the casual fan or the guy who just happened to have gotten a ticket.
And maybe, just maybe, this awareness may be little more important than the fact that people get annoyed by Bono's statement. They (in general) will enjoy the show anyway and it might just be better to be annoyed and aware, than to be not annoyed and not aware.

 

[Erin go bragh]

20,000 people who don't give a f**k ? How did you make that massive leap of logic ? How about 20,000 people who DO give a f**K who might think they didn't come to hear about that but came to hear more music/less preaching ?

Well first, if Bono is up there asking for help, it's probably a safe bet that he's doing so because he feels either a) not enough people are educated on the issue to know how or where to help or b) they do, but they just aren't doin anything about it, which would indicate an indifference.

The point is, as I stated before, people know what they can expect when they purchase a ticket to a U2 concert. It's not like Bono has never preached on topics in the past (hark back to the JT tour). When you purchase that ticket, you basically accept the fact that this is going to happen. If you don't like it, then stay home and watch the "Sometimes" video on MTV2. Last I checked, he doesn't do a whole lotta preaching in that.

The newsworthiness of the situation isn't about Bono meeting with talking heads, as you mention the times when this matter is on the news. The newsworthiness of the situation is the actual plight of those people. When CNN blabs about Bono meeting with senators or presidents, most times, they know only that, and the why. Maybe with a mention or a short speech of it at a live concert, people will take that away with them and be more apt to do that research you say they don't do.

I just can't see how a U2 fan would say that Bono speaking on these matters ruins their experience. I understand that it has been said the songs can speak for themselves, but the songs don't tell you how you can get involved, or more importantly, why.

 

[U2girl]

I wonder if he'll preach the same thing when he is Europe?

Didn't they switch the half time show from gun control to something different for the Elevation tour?

I don't know about Europe, Slane DVD has the "Security council members = gun trade countries" break.


As for this thread - we're talking about a guy that spoke out against the violence in N. Ireland, against US foreign policy, against the lack of action in Sarajevo, against children of "mothers of the dissapeared", against gun control. All that, in public, on tour with the band. He's not one to be quiet in issues that matter to him.

I personally loved the human rights video news and his act in Bullet the blue sky.

 

[BostonAnne]

"all work and no play" and all that. I doubt anyone at the show isn't alreayd well aware of the issues, I also doubt anyone is going there to be more informed about the issue, it's not like a Sarajevo-type thing where the news of what was going wasn't getting to the outside world.

If everyone is so aware I doubt there would be issues still. We rush to the aid of those lost in a natural disaster or those lost by violence but we seem to be indifferent to the greatest health crisis in 600 years. It isn't on the news nearly as much as it should be.

Check out Bono's interview with Bill O'Reilly if you haven't read it yet.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,131198,00.html

 

[God Part III]

They dedicated three songs to Africa, not the whole show.
In my opinion the Streets version was amazing, best version of the song they ever did.

 

[Erin go bragh]

This thread itself couldn't be a better example for why Bono is probably doing what he is doing. We're discussing the subject!!! He makes people aware. Not just the hardcore fan who knows he's into all this and therefor may be into it as well, but also the casual fan or the guy who just happened to have gotten a ticket.
And maybe, just maybe, this awareness may be little more important than the fact that people get annoyed by Bono's statement. They (in general) will enjoy the show anyway and it might just be better to be annoyed and aware, than to be not annoyed and not aware.

For some reason, reading this take brings " Am I buggin you....well I don't mean to bug ya" to mind.

Good point. Bono wants people to be annoyed by him cuz then they may just do something to help so he doesn't have to 'raise the awareness' which is what we are talking about. It's kind of like being a parent. Your kid does something that is wrong, and you discipline them for doing so, to the point where you "bug them" so that they don't do it anymore (hopefully).

All of these discussions on this got me to looking at this very message board. I see all kinds of forums dedicated to various topics, but I don't see one dedicated for people who want to discuss the issues that Bono tries to address. I know the board is for the band, and Bono is usually on his own when he goes out and fights the good fight, but it would be cool if interference would support that by creating a forum where people could discuss the issues, or at the very least, get information on where and how they can help.

 

[ramblin rose]

They dedicated three songs to Africa, not the whole show.
In my opinion the Streets version was amazing, best version of the song they ever did.

Exactly, it was all of 10-15 minutes, I was actually saying to myself after the show, wow, no preaching from Bono tonight. I almost felt he should have done more.

 

[BostonAnne]

This thread itself couldn't be a better example for why Bono is probably doing what he is doing. We're discussing the subject!!! He makes people aware.

I'm a perfect example. My awareness of the world changed due to a prayer Bono made on tour in 2001.

 

[cardosino]

Well first, if Bono is up there asking for help, it's probably a safe bet that he's doing so because he feels either a) not enough people are educated on the issue to know how or where to help or b) they do, but they just aren't doin anything about it, which would indicate an indifference.

Point well taken, but it's hardly the same as saying 20,000 people not giving a f**k

The point is, as I stated before, people know what they can expect when they purchase a ticket to a U2 concert. It's not like Bono has never preached on topics in the past (hark back to the JT tour). When you purchase that ticket, you basically accept the fact that this is going to happen.

Yes, you know it'll happen to a certain degree. Some feel, myself included, it's starting to get overly so, and I go back 24 years with the band so I've seen some preaching in my time !

I just can't see how a U2 fan would say that Bono speaking on these matters ruins their experience.

I've said it a hundred million times before, people on this forum exagerrate. some even over-exaggerate. I've yet to see a post from ANYONE saying their experience was runied. Personally I had a blast Monday, and I expect Iwill again in a few hours.

Slainte.

 

[BostonAnne]

I've said it a hundred million times before, people on this forum exagerrate. some even over-exaggerate. I've yet to see a post from ANYONE saying their experience was runied. Personally I had a blast Monday, and I expect Iwill again in a few hours.

Slainte.

When you go tonight - look around the venue. Imagine all the people there dying this week. Imagine 3x the people there dying this week. All of them could live if we all added our voice to the one campaign and things changed.

Perhaps you will actually root Bono for bringing this awareness to people.

 

[trojanchick99]

It's a U2 CONCERT! of course there will be preaching. One of the things that I love most about U2 is that they are a political band. They always have been a political band. Bono does great things in this world, and believes passionately in his "causes". I admire him for that.

I agree with what was said earlier, that if you buy a ticket for a U2 show, you should expect preaching. The most moving part of the Elevation show I attended was One. I cried.

Anyways, I cannot wait to hear Streets.

 

[cardosino]

When you go tonight - look around the venue. Imagine all the people there dying this week. Imagine 3x the people there dying this week. All of them could live if we all added our voice to the one campaign and things changed.

Perhaps you will actually root Bono for bringing this awareness to people.

When are you going to Africa ?

Where did I say I don't root for Bono's issues ?


Because my son has bipolar disorder or because our church pours hundreds of thousands of dollars a year into African efforts, monetary and sending groups to help out in orphanages, etc doesn't mean I have to live/eat/sleep/breathe those issues 24/7. If bone spent as much time preaching on mental illness I'd think that was out of place too even though the efforts might affect me personally and a lot closer to home.

I just felt it was overdone this time.

I don't feel any the worse fo rfeeling that, much as you may try and make me with your "imagine...." proselytizing.

 

[babyman]

it's good when ultra rich people remind to care for ultra poor people............................there can't be pauses

 

[2Hearts]

The 'African' version of Streets is amazing.

Bono once said "Rock n Roll is about rebellion... I'm rebelling against my own apathy". That's a pretty cool attitude if you ask me.

 

[verte76]

I think it's terrific that he's doing this. People need to be educated about what's going on in Africa. They're going to be in so many different places that he's not going to know what the big time charities are in Town X.

 

[ramblin rose]

Because my son has bipolar disorder or because our church pours hundreds of thousands of dollars a year into African efforts, monetary and sending groups to help out in orphanages, etc doesn't mean I have to live/eat/sleep/breathe those issues 24/7.

And you talk about people exagerating? Who has asked you to live/eat/sleep/breathe these issues 24/7?

I just felt it was overdone this time.

Were we at the same show? The Africa references lasted all of 10 minutes, definately not more than 15. And most of it was embedded in a couple of songs Pride & WTSHNN not a lot of preaching.

 

[jammin909]

Well since there aren't thousands of Americans dying everyday I guess the emergency happening as we speak in Africa maybe takes a little precedent for Bono.

This type of post just confirms the lack of awareness that there must be here in the U.S. regarding what's going on in Africa, or maybe you are aware but just don't really care?

No offense.

No offense taken. Thousands may not be dying in America but millions are living in poverty with out the proper resources to move up in society.

I am well aware of the problems of Africa from civil war to AIDS. I have read a couple books on the subject and had a class last semester addressing this.

I just think people need to make a more concerted effort to know whats going on in the world and the forum to hear about the problems shouldnt be a rock concert.

And yes I do care. I volunteer in a low income district in Pittsburgh and in less than two months im off to Romania for 2 years with the Peace Corps.

 

[Yahweh]

The US especially is supposed to be about the ideal of human rights and I am glad that U2 is bringing this to attention in the concert just like they did with gun control last concert.

People should be aware of Africa...and by the way that is what Where The Streets Have No Name is about in the first place.