U2 doesn't belong in South America right now

[withashout]

After pictures of Bono hawking Amex and every other corporate logo under the sun at the World Economic Forum, it is shocking to see the band is playing dates in South America. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela (host country of this year's World Social Forum, which is the World Economic Forum for the developing world (and the Forum that Bono should be at if he truly supports emerging economies)) all have left-wing governments! Right now politically, I don't think U2 belongs in South and Central America - a land they once supported and sung about in their music (and gained a lot of attention for their support) but have come to dismiss it in recent years because it does not suit their current political missions. Bono won't (actually, CAN'T) work with the governments in SA like he does the West, but he will bring the band there to go make some more money on a tour that has already grossed more than enough.

Just a thought.

 

[financeguy]

Interesting point of view. (Prepare to get flamed however.)

 

[mikal]

simple,

they have fans that want to see them live, so they're playing in front of them.

 

[U2mixer]

After pictures of Bono hawking Amex and every other corporate logo under the sun at the World Economic Forum, it is shocking to see the band is playing dates in South America. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela (host country of this year's World Social Forum, which is the World Economic Forum for the developing world (and the Forum that Bono should be at if he truly supports emerging economies)) all have left-wing governments! Right now politically, I don't think U2 belongs in South and Central America - a land they once supported and sung about in their music (and gained a lot of attention for their support) but have come to dismiss it in recent years because it does not suit their current political missions. Bono won't (actually, CAN'T) work with the governments in SA like he does the West, but he will bring the band there to go make some more money on a tour that has already grossed more than enough.

Just a thought.

Bono has very little sway in the political arena, y'know.
He is more of a figurehead for the average guy and the silent majority and NOT a leader of a country or a party.
He is intelligent enough to realise what is and isn't possible and maybe he does seem to 'sleep with the devil' at times, but he does this to his benefit.

Mikal has a good viewpoint on this - the band are thinking of the fans.

As YOU state "he will bring the band there to go make some more money on a tour that has already grossed more than enough" but if the band have already "grossed more than enough" then they must doing it for those fans and not the money - right?

I'll tell you what then, let the corrupt governments and dictorial regimes win and don't let any Western bands play there - but the people will be the real losers - again.

And if you are disturbed and perturbed by the band playing these countries then go and have a look at the UK (my country) and US foreign policies because if we adopt your position on this then the band wouldn't or shouldn't have toured the UK or the US.

Another perspective.

 

[Pero]

No, Bono knows where to make great publicity.
For example, Sarajevo show, they could have done few more shows, but sarajevo was enough. They weren't in Sarajevo since that show.
Now it's cool to go to South America because they didn't do it for 7-8 years. IT's ALL ABOUT COMMERCIAL

 

[Axver]

Sooo ... Bono doesn't belong in South America because they have leftist governments and his current political activism doesn't perfectly align with your idea of leftism?

Yep, that makes bucketloads of sense.

 

[fly so high!]

Why punish the fans because of their governments, do you think that U2 should start boycotting?, i think that would go down like a lead balloon!

 

[U2mixer]

No, Bono knows where to make great publicity.
For example, Sarajevo show, they could have done few more shows, but sarajevo was enough. They weren't in Sarajevo since that show.
Now it's cool to go to South America because they didn't do it for 7-8 years. IT's ALL ABOUT COMMERCIAL

You are sooooo wrong, my friend.

Draw me a list of how many 'big' bands played Sarajevo - no, don't bother because the list will be empty.

U2 played Sarajevo becasue the band (not just Bono) were unhappy (understatement) with the situation out there and wanted to bring it to the public's blind eyes.
The concert didn't really change much but brought in massive public awareness.
If U2 was all about commercialism then they could easily just tour the US on the fourth leg and they would sell MORE tickets than SA and they would make MORE money than touring SA.

It would be easier for the band NOT to play these countries - they don't need the money - trust me on that one.

There is a cut off point reached when the band have got to think about how much they can change the world or how much they want to be a rock band and support their fans.

Would you rather the band said nothing?
Then who has won.

 

[miss becky]

Oh please. U2 is going there to put on concerts for the fans, not for the governments, be they leftist, rightist, or ambidextrist.

 

[Axver]

not for the governments, be they [...] ambidextrist.

 

[BrittanyNova]

U2 is coming to SA? I hadn't heard! When and where?

 

[Axver]

U2 is coming to SA? I hadn't heard! When and where?

February and early March.

http://www.u2-vertigo-tour.com/tour227.html

First show of the fourth leg is in less than a fortnight now. First South American show is in about three weeks.

 

[WalkOn21]

Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela (host country of this year's World Social Forum, which is the World Economic Forum for the developing world (and the Forum that Bono should be at if he truly supports emerging economies)) all have left-wing governments!

Slow down. Do you have any idea what 'left-wing' means?
Obviously not.

The present-day meaning of left-wing is socialist. Meaning wanting equal wealth for everyone. This is opposed to right-wing, which is used as a synonym for liberalist: wanting private property rights.

Now tell me, are you seriously thinking U2's ideas are more right-wing than left-wing? With their campaigns against poverty?

 

[babyman]

left and right...............................how do I hate these things talking about U2........................is it too hard to leave out these comments and talk just about their music? It can't get everytime political, U2 isn't a party

 

[Muggsy]

After pictures of Bono hawking Amex and every other corporate logo under the sun at the World Economic Forum, it is shocking to see the band is playing dates in South America. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela (host country of this year's World Social Forum, which is the World Economic Forum for the developing world (and the Forum that Bono should be at if he truly supports emerging economies)) all have left-wing governments! Right now politically, I don't think U2 belongs in South and Central America - a land they once supported and sung about in their music (and gained a lot of attention for their support) but have come to dismiss it in recent years because it does not suit their current political missions. Bono won't (actually, CAN'T) work with the governments in SA like he does the West, but he will bring the band there to go make some more money on a tour that has already grossed more than enough.

Just a thought.

YOU. TALK. SHIT

I'm sorry but you don't have any idea of what are you talking about. I'm colombian and I'm sure that our goverments are not left-wind. your comments are full of ignorance and prejudice.

 

[MacPhistoPT]

Yeah, why all the talk about politics? They're are playing in SA because they have lots of fans there like anywhere else on Earth. Those fans deserve to see them live too.

 

[God Part III]

Re: Re: U2 doesn't belong in South America right now

Bono has very little sway in the political arena, y'know.
He is more of a figurehead for the average guy and the silent majority and NOT a leader of a country or a party.
He is intelligent enough to realise what is and isn't possible and maybe he does seem to 'sleep with the devil' at times, but he does this to his benefit.

Mikal has a good viewpoint on this - the band are thinking of the fans.

As YOU state "he will bring the band there to go make some more money on a tour that has already grossed more than enough" but if the band have already "grossed more than enough" then they must doing it for those fans and not the money - right?

I'll tell you what then, let the corrupt governments and dictorial regimes win and don't let any Western bands play there - but the people will be the real losers - again.

And if you are disturbed and perturbed by the band playing these countries then go and have a look at the UK (my country) and US foreign policies because if we adopt your position on this then the band wouldn't or shouldn't have toured the UK or the US.

Another perspective.

I was about to make a post but then I read this and realised I don't have to. I agree with U2mixer.

 

[jvferrandiz]

Wait a sec...Bolivia and venezuela? Is this true??

 

[U2FanPeter]

I find it remarkable that South America brought in U2 at about the same prices at the rest of the world. In some ways I find it the most in demad place in the world for tickets.

u2fp

 

[withashout]

It will be interesting to see how they are received in SA. I'm not debating that the fans want to see them and they will be hugely popular. However, Bono has obviously made a lot of publicity in U2's main "markets" (i.e. the US and Europe) by meeting with heads of state on poverty relief. In order to do this the band has had to, to some degree, adopt a less confrontational tone with US and European foreign policy (contrast U2 today to the U2 during the Joshua Tree era when they were VERY critical of US foreign policy and it helped make them famous). Going to SA countries now, U2 is facing elected governments that, policy-wise, most likely have a problem with how the US and Europe do their business in the world. It just will be interesting to see the band (and Bono) are received on a more "official", as opposed to "popular", level.

 

[DubbalinGirl]

Re: Re: U2 doesn't belong in South America right now

As YOU state "he will bring the band there to go make some more money on a tour that has already grossed more than enough" but if the band have already "grossed more than enough" then they must doing it for those fans and not the money - right?

And it could be argued that if it was not about the money and all about the fans, then they would've gone to Australia/NZ for Elevation. No? Just being devil's advocate here. They're not going to any country where they won't make a buck.

 

[ntalwar]

Going to SA countries now, U2 is facing elected governments that, policy-wise, most likely have a problem with how the US and Europe do their business in the world. It just will be interesting to see the band (and Bono) are received on a more "official", as opposed to "popular", level.

Bush was protested heavily on his SA trip and yet received a semi-warm welcome by the gov't officials. You seem to predict the opposite of that scenario for U2 - I don't see that happening.
U2 will be well received by almost everyone.

 

[Muggsy]

Going to SA countries now, U2 is facing elected governments that, policy-wise, most likely have a problem with how the US and Europe do their business in the world. It just will be interesting to see the band (and Bono) are received on a more "official", as opposed to "popular", level.

for god's sake... you don't know nothing about us... stop trying to make a drama from our situation.

 

[victor_f]

for god's sake... you don't know nothing about us... stop trying to make a drama from our situation.

 

[mybono]

I hope this pic won't be shown in SA, some people might freak out..lol!!

 

[KUEFC09U2]

Re: Re: Re: U2 doesn't belong in South America right now

And it could be argued that if it was not about the money and all about the fans, then they would've gone to Australia/NZ for Elevation. No? Just being devil's advocate here. They're not going to any country where they won't make a buck.

not really, U2 could have still earned more money by going to south america on the elevation tour, they decided against it, if it was all about money, they would have at least gone to south america, using the same set up they used during slane,

 

[VertigoGal]

I just hope the South American fans will tell Bono to change his hairstyle when they see him next in Feb/March. Get it cut or something, the transplants and dye look awful.

Oh and have a fun concert.

(I hope Bono's obvious libertarian tendencies don't hinder your experience. )