MERGED ----> U2 has finally sold out + On selling out

[U2girl]

Where do we see Edge/Bono using a Apple laptop in the ad? It doesnt fucking matter if they use them or not. The ad isnt for a laptop.

There is a huge difference between marketing something to a defined base and a overall market. Are you going to market clarinet reeds to a guitar player? I play the drums, Edge isnt marketing drumsticks.

However I like music and I have a computer, oh wow theres U2 marketing a device from a computer company and ooh a computer companies store that sells music. Pretty general that one.

The U2 I-Pod isnt even IN the ad for crying out loud. The ad is for I-Tunes. Come to I-Tunes and buy Vertigo. It doesnt say "out in stores now" It's geared specifically to buy at I-Tunes!

Hey I have a vial of Bonos sweat, you wanna buy it?

The ad is not directed at U2 fans, that what you dont get through your thick skull. It's directed at people who own computers and like music, and they're using U2 as the vehicle.

Several picture from Zooropa period exist from Bono with a laptop. Bono's laptop got stolen during ATYCLB sessions.

It does matter, just as Larry is a biker Bono and Edge use laptops and Edge uses guitar picks. So - in their ads they supported Harley Davidson, plectrum company and Apple.
Get it?

Edge isn't a drummer why would he market drumsticks? They are musicians and they are promoting music.
Using your analogy Larry shouldn't be promoting Harley because he isn't a professional motor race driver.

U2's music is playing in the ad. Members of U2 are shown. It says "Vertigo by U2". How many hints to U2 fans would you like?
(not like you can't get the single in CD) Of COURSE it is aimed at them.

 

[Party Boy]

I doubt very much U2 will come out and say "oh we have made this album but we don't believe in it". There bound to say its the best music of their lives what else are they going to say, "its took us 4 years and its not that good".

Equally, to come up with the statement U2 have sold out due to the sound of their last 2 albums, is imho, the opinion of someone who is quite bitter about U2, for whatever reason.

Have read you dont like the album, fine, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.

However, it seems you like going one step further and dissing every thing the band does these days is pretty pathetic.

 

[octobermagic]

What's the matter with being associated with iPods. There are a LOT worse products in the world than an iPod.

They're not doing Pespi ads, are they?; or car commercials, ads for women's underwear, etc.

And I've read the posts and threads about their box set. 458 songs for $100 (w/ the coupon), is a BARGAIN. I don't believe U2 made the decision as to which tracks would be available seperately and which wouldn't.

I just don't see any "money grabs" being done here by the band. The only money grabs I see them going after are some of their merchandising ideas. My tastes are different though.

For me (and I, like some of you, have listened to these guys for over twenty years), this album, while musically conservative IMO, is STUNNING. The writing is incredible, so deep and personal. Not to many could write music like this and get the recognition they do, for as long as they have.

I just don't understand what those who believe they've sold out want them to be at this point in their careers or lives.

 

[bonosleftone]

Several picture from Zooropa period exist from Bono with a laptop. Bono's laptop got stolen during ATYCLB sessions.

It does matter, just as Larry is a biker Bono and Edge use laptops and Edge uses guitar picks. So - in their ads they supported Harley Davidson, plectrum company and Apple.
Get it?

Edge isn't a drummer why would he market drumsticks? They are musicians and they are promoting music.
Using your analogy Larry shouldn't be promoting Harley because he isn't a professional motor race driver.

U2's music is playing in the ad. Members of U2 are shown. It says "Vertigo by U2". How many hints to U2 fans would you like?
(not like you can't get the single in CD) Of COURSE it is aimed at them.

So fucking what if theres pictures of Bono with a laptop. Theres pictures of Bono holding glasses of Cristal, that doesnt meant that hes in an ad for it. Ive seen pictures of Bono hugging Jesse Helms, it doesnt mean that he endorses him politically.

It does matter with DEFINED CUSTOMER BASES. Regardless of Edge being in an ad, that ad is defined -- its being marketed to guitar players, period. Its not marketing U2's music by selling guitar picks, its marketing the creation of music by GUITAR PLAYERS and not specifically to U2, its not saying buy U2's music at this place or buy your picks at this place, its saying Edge uses these guitar picks, he likes them. Larry's Harley ad wasnt a U2 ad, it was Larry alone, and Larry likes bikes, why not get a famous person to help sell a product from a distinct independant company? Theres lots of U2 fans who dont like motorcycles just as theres lots of U2 fans who dont play guitar. And those ads are AGAIN 10+ years ago.

Regardless of Ipod being music related and Itunes being music related, U2 are Apple's coverboys, they're being used (as are U2 using Apple for money as well) to sell not just U2's music but every other artist out there that has music on Itunes as well as the Ipod. It's not directed at just U2 fans and lets not forget that those Guitar pick ads were in a specific location (guitar magazines) as were the Harley ads, the ITunes ads are EVERYWHERE. Theres a huge difference between defined and undefined marketing.

The Apple deal is overkill and is the commercialization of U2 as a whole.

 

[U2girl]

It's OK that Larry is a biker and goes and does an ad for Harleys and that Edge does an ad for plectrums being a guitar player.
But it doesn't matter that the songwriters in U2 have used Apple products before and that the band promotes/is promoted by Itunes/Ipod, by Apple.
What happened ages ago is acceptable but anything U2 does now is a disgrace.

Really? Someone who does not like U2's music ad will go out and download Vertigo and buy their albums and/or get the U2Ipod?

Nice logic.

Obviusly U2 fan base is broader than bikers who own Harley or guitar players who play a specific plectrum.

 

[Party Boy]

Can someone tell me what is the commercialisation of U2? Besides being part of an advertisement for new technology and a new way to listen to music.. Clearly I am missing something

 

[-macphisto-]

So fucking what if theres pictures of Bono with a laptop. Theres pictures of Bono holding glasses of Cristal, that doesnt meant that hes in an ad for it. Ive seen pictures of Bono hugging Jesse Helms, it doesnt mean that he endorses him politically.

It does matter with DEFINED CUSTOMER BASES. Regardless of Edge being in an ad, that ad is defined -- its being marketed to guitar players, period. Its not marketing U2's music by selling guitar picks, its marketing the creation of music by GUITAR PLAYERS and not specifically to U2, its not saying buy U2's music at this place or buy your picks at this place, its saying Edge uses these guitar picks, he likes them. Larry's Harley ad wasnt a U2 ad, it was Larry alone, and Larry likes bikes, why not get a famous person to help sell a product from a distinct independant company? Theres lots of U2 fans who dont like motorcycles just as theres lots of U2 fans who dont play guitar. And those ads are AGAIN 10+ years ago.

Regardless of Ipod being music related and Itunes being music related, U2 are Apple's coverboys, they're being used (as are U2 using Apple for money as well) to sell not just U2's music but every other artist out there that has music on Itunes as well as the Ipod. It's not directed at just U2 fans and lets not forget that those Guitar pick ads were in a specific location (guitar magazines) as were the Harley ads, the ITunes ads are EVERYWHERE. Theres a huge difference between defined and undefined marketing.

The Apple deal is overkill and is the commercialization of U2 as a whole.

GIVE IT UP- its over, go back down the shit hole you came from, and live in bitterness about U2 and Ipods, while I enjoy this new U2 cd.

 

[Party Boy]

GIVE IT UP- its over, go back down the shit hole you came from, and live in bitterness about U2 and Ipods, while I enjoy this new U2 cd.

Amen to that!!

 

[david]

The iPod and iTunes "defined customer base" are music fans.

So Apple going into a business deal with U2 to advertise their new single as well as adverstise the fact that it is soley available on iTunes seems like a great marketing stratedgy.

To "use" a world famous rock band to help promote their "music" products to a "defined customer base" of "music" fans makes sense to me.

Now that is fine and dandy. In return U2 are getting massive exposure, almost to a point where you forget that the commercials and the ads even have anything to do with Apple and iPod and iTunes.

But what isn't fine and dandy and what's getting people in an uproar is that this seems like U2 are being commercialized because, well, they're in a commercial in 2004 that is getting aired a lot. Is it overkill? I dunno, was it overkill in 1987 when U2 were in heavy rotation on MTV? And even in 1992? The only product they were selling then was their albums, but they used MTV as the medium.

So it's 2004 now and the only medium some long time bands that aren't geared toward a teenage demographic like some young bands that are darlings of TRL and what is left of MTV is that they have to do things like this. It's the sad state of the music industry. U2 aren't a band that are happy with fading away like Pearl Jam is. U2 still strive to be in your face and this is how someone like them has to do it. I think it's great that U2 are doing this ads. They're far more better and effective and they make sense to me. It makes sense that U2 would partner with a music distributor. Come on, it's not like Bono is doing a commercial for the Sony Digital Camera... Like Steven Tyler is doing.

Are U2 being "used?" No. Does Apple hope that they're association with U2 will sell a lot of iPods and hopefully get people to use iTunes? Yes. Does U2 in return hope that the promotion work Apple is doing for them help get their music out there? Yes. Is the Apple deal just a big commercialization of U2 as a whole? No.

 

[bonosleftone]

GIVE IT UP- its over, go back down the shit hole you came from, and live in bitterness about U2 and Ipods, while I enjoy this new U2 cd.

Who the hell is bitter about it, its a fact. You people are such blind fans its not even funny.

 

[-macphisto-]

Who the hell is bitter about it, its a fact. You people are such blind fans its not even funny.

Your funny, listen to yourself, we all know who is bitter here.

 

[Bonochick]

Some of these replies are getting a tad rude. Please be more civil to each other, or this thread will be closed.

 

[The_acrobat]

I used to work in a paper mill. I worked 45 hours a week, making paper. I didn't work there due to my love of making paper.... I worked there cause I was 19 and they paid $14 an hour! So would you call me a sellout for that?

This new album is great. It's 4 men in their mid 40s who have matured to the point where they know who and what they are, and what kind of music they like making. I think this album is leaps and bounds better than ATYCLB. It pushes some new boundaries for U2. It's basically a great addition to an already great catalog. They still like making music. There's nothing wrong with wanting money for your work. You people need to realize that U2 are living the dream all of us dream about.... being rich. Just because they promote their album doesn't make them sellouts. The ipod is a great idea. Radio and MTV suck ass right now, and itunes is a great way for people to hear their songs. They can simply download a song off the internet for a decent price, and listen to it whenever they want.

 

[reggiethedawg]

Regardless of Ipod being music related and Itunes being music related, U2 are Apple's coverboys, they're being used (as are U2 using Apple for money as well) to sell not just U2's music but every other artist out there that has music on Itunes as well as the Ipod. It's not directed at just U2 fans and lets not forget that those Guitar pick ads were in a specific location (guitar magazines) as were the Harley ads, the ITunes ads are EVERYWHERE. Theres a huge difference between defined and undefined marketing.

The Apple deal is overkill and is the commercialization of U2 as a whole.

When you use the word 'use' you make it sound like its without either parties consent. This is something both parties want to do.

Whats so wrong about U2 wanting to sell their music in as high a quantity as possible? Whats so wrong about Apple wanting to sell truckloads of iPods. Both are helping each other out. Commercialisation in itself is not wrong or bad. When its tacky, thats a different matter. Anybody who gets hold of a mic and endorses the likes of Pepsi etc then fair enough, it would turn my stomach. But thats not the U2 I know and love.

I'd understand your point if this was U2 and McDonalds in bed with each other, and I'd be in here making a noise about that. This really isn't an issue.

 

[Party Boy]

Your funny, listen to yourself, we all know who is bitter here.

Who is a blind fan? I think we are all adults here to make up own mind. At least I am.

I havent seen any concrete arguements to back up your "commercialism" of U2. Just a lot of hot air over nothing.

 

[U2_Guy]

I doubt very much U2 will come out and say "oh we have made this album but we don't believe in it". There bound to say its the best music of their lives what else are they going to say, "its took us 4 years and its not that good".

On the Time magazine article Adam already started bashing ATYCLB... But read the interviews back then in 2000... Same with Pop, watch A Year in Pop and read the interviews now...

It's OBVIOUSLY, crystal clear that on the last 2 albums U2 sold out musically speaking. Those records are very very much american radio friendly. They were made to please ol' uncle John right there on the middle of nowhere in Texas. It's for them to remind of "those boys who sing that nice tune, With or Without You, every now and then on the radio".

Larry himself said in the year 2000: "ATYCLB is us competing with Britney Spears". Make your own assumptions now...

 

[disco2blue]

Hi Again, Disco 2 Blue here! I already posted earlier on page 5! But I felt like posting again, because this heated debate is getting too hot!... People are actually getting mad at each over whether or not U2 is... selling out or whatever that impossible notion is, because no matter what you do in life, your passion must be monetarily focused, arrrgh, especially if you want to go down in history as a big big band, God bless the icons of rock, they give a bit of dreaminess to people like us! Anyway, here goes, arrrgh !!! If U2 didn't sell (out, within, inside-out, para-sell whatever) so big big! many of us wouldn't have even found out about them!... We actually owe U2 a big favour for getting as all-encompassing as they got, we became a society!... We have this wonderful website, Interference.com, we have met some really great people, we have had memorable times at concerts and U2 parties, people have actually found salvation in U2 music... the point is, it was due to their hugeness that so many of us are here, helping them become bigger, helping them stretch out further to touch other people's lives in a time when music doesn't count any more... the last of the rock stars, I swear, yaarrr...!! Anyway, here goes..!!

If you like U2, and love their music, buy the album at a very reasonable price. If you really love them, go see them in tour. No one is forcing anyone to buy ipods (I am not), no one is forcing anyone to purchase giant box sets for a couple hundred dollars - but there is a choice, and it's cool that there is an option.
Bottom line is, I love U2 - I love Vertigo, yeah yeah yeah...
U2 are being smart by embracing the technological evolution of music, while at the same time getting some damn great exposure... so whaaaaat???... does one really care what U2 decide to do for promotion... I just love the music, and I'm so happy that U2 are going to have strong first week sales due to their 'epic promotional' campaign... more people may get to feel the excitement I do when listening to this wonderful album, How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
Just go 'woooooooooo wooooooo wooooooooo' for a few minutes straight during City of Blinding Lights, and sometimes you get dizzy, it's great.

- Nichoals

zoou2@hotmail.com

Take this soul, and make it sing... sing? Yes.

 

[mikal]

fuck you all.

*tries to get thread closed

suck my cock?

balls?

 

[Party Boy]

oops.. wrong quote used. Sorry!

 

[U2_Guy]

fuck you all.

*tries to get thread closed

suck my cock?

balls?

Are you that low?

 

[Party Boy]

On the Time magazine article Adam already started bashing ATYCLB... But read the interviews back then in 2000... Same with Pop, watch A Year in Pop and read the interviews now...

It's OBVIOUSLY, crystal clear that on the last 2 albums U2 sold out musically speaking. Those records are very very much american radio friendly. They were made to please ol' uncle John right there on the middle of nowhere in Texas. It's for them to remind of "those boys who sing that nice tune, With or Without You, every now and then on the radio".

Larry himself said in the year 2000: "ATYCLB is us competing with Britney Spears". Make your own assumptions now...

Am not going to argue with what the band may or may not have said. However, can't people make up their own mind about the albums, no matter what the band say??

FY, I love Pop and am not a fan of ATYCLB. Despite what the band said about Pop, its in my top 3 U2 albums

 

[disco2blue]

It's OBVIOUSLY, crystal clear that on the last 2 albums U2 sold out musically speaking. Those records are very very much american radio friendly. They were made to please ol' uncle John right there on the middle of nowhere in Texas. It's for them to remind of "those boys who sing that nice tune, With or Without You, every now and then on the radio".

Uhhh... It's quite obviously crystal clear to you maybe, and so be it, you won't shape how I feel about this album 'which I love!!!', ohhh so taboo!!! I'm so crazy for loving U2's most recent albums, huh? And even crazier, I'm not even in the middle of nowhere, in Texas, as you so very... stereotypically put it... I'm in Canada. Uh oh, I guess there's something wrong with Canada now, look out, don't visit us, we're so eccentric, grrrrrr!

Larry himself said in the year 2000: "ATYCLB is us competing with Britney Spears". Make your own assumptions now...

Geez, talk about about using things against someone, for your own agenda, perhaps even out of context!... You should work for Michael Moore maybe, see yaaa.

- Nicholas

zoou2@hotmail.com

 

[Party Boy]

hmm.. if its obvious to U2_Guy, then clearly it has to be obvious to everyone else.

 

[-macphisto-]

I just dont understand why they have to come here and try to convert us to think that "U2 sold out".

 

[mikal]

Are you that low?

i was joking....

 

[david]

Of course U2 had to compete against Britnney Spears. She, at the time, was a dominate musical force in the mainstream music media and U2 were releasing an album at that time and that was their competition. U2 are mainstream as well. U2 have and will always make music to be sold commercially. In the U2 At The End of The World book I believe it was adam that said the Joshua Tree was a singles album. And that album, one of the greatest albums of all time was made in 1987.

 

[mikal]

actually, the only thing that could really make this thread decent would be a fake Edge calling people terrorists.

unfortunately, my coolness can't even save this thread at this point.

 

[david]

I think the points made in this thread have been ran into the ground.

Some will see U2's partnership as nothing more than commercial whoring, I and many others will see it as smart and a new way of getting music out.

Some will think that in their 40's U2 have sold out and stopped making music like the 3 experimental albums they made in the past. Some will find that in their 40's U2's music will come from a different perspective because of age and knowledge and they no longer need to be expirimental.

It's very very hard to argue personal opinions. People will stick by their opinions and that's good I guess? It's one thing to influence someone's opinion or offer them a different perspective on something and maybe get people to look at something in a different light.

No one has influenced my opinion, I've yet to see the U2/Apple thing as whoring and U2 being used and commercialized. No one's said anything to get me to change my opinion.

I've tried to shed light on the subject myself by pointing out things like how it's a partnership, both U2 and Apple benifit, it's for musical distrubution, no one is getting whored, a band like U2 needs to do something like this in the day and age of MTV not caring about rock music anymore, or anyone that makes or has music made for them that are over 18.

 

[octobermagic]

Of course U2 had to compete against Britnney Spears. She, at the time, was a dominate musical force in the mainstream music media and U2 were releasing an album at that time and that was their competition. U2 are mainstream as well. U2 have and will always make music to be sold commercially. In the U2 At The End of The World book I believe it was adam that said the Joshua Tree was a singles album. And that album, one of the greatest albums of all time was made in 1987.

I didn't read the original quote, but I can't imagine they went into the studio thinking they had to compete with Miss Spears.

I get the fact that the name of the game is to sell records, but if they actually were targeting her demographic, those songs on ATYCLB weren't going to get it done.

 

[Party Boy]

On a lighter note, on VH1 (here in UK), they are running down top 20 icons of which Bono came in at #16 with David Grohl saying some really nice things about their music, the message and the politicalness (sp?) all perfectly coming together. Lisa Maria Pressely described Bono as being God-like on stage...