SUPER U2 @ SUPERBOWL?!

[SicilianGoddess]

From Interference.com:

U2 playing Superbowl 1/2 time. They supposedly signed the contract in Las Vegas. This was announced on a Chicago sports radio station, and is our second confirmation of this rumor. More details to come as we get them.

Hmmmm........ yay! If its true!

Shit, its about time... I'm tired of watching NSuck and Britney during halftime.

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[Hewson]

Should be great...lets just hope they don't do anything regrettable like Aerosmith did...just a pure U2 performance.

 

[LarryMullen's POPAngel]

Eeek! Guess I'll be forced to watch football at least once in my life...oh well, maybe Larry will wear one of hose cut off football jersey's, hehe

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A vampire or a victim
It depends on who's around

 

[Mullen-Girl]

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!! U2 on superbowl would rock...I mean it's another chance to see them again

I agree with April with the cut off jersey but how about, no jersey just a jock strap? lmao

*Dies*

*is scandalized* woops this isn't PLEBA lol

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The U2 revolution has been reinstated.

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Meeting Larry:
*MG shows Larry poster*
*Larry reads poster*
*Larry smiles and says "Thank you that's very nice of you"*
*Larry signs paper, shakes MG's hand*
*MG almost dies then sees tearaway pants and gets bad ideas*

 

[LarryMullen's POPAngel]

Girlie-get back to PLEBA and post some fine Larry pics in IAAD!!! LOL

*wants to watch the SIAM video, but is stuck at work*

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A vampire or a victim
It depends on who's around

 

[BittersweetGirl]

They BETTER play something besides Elevation and Stuck. How cool would it be if they busted out The Fly or something!? I don't see it happening tho.

 

[Salome]

superbowling

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Salome
Shake it, shake it, shake it

 

[sulawesigirl4]

Originally posted by BittersweetGirl:
They BETTER play something besides Elevation and Stuck. How cool would it be if they busted out The Fly or something!? I don't see it happening tho.

It would be cool...however, we all know it won't happen. They will play Elevation, Beautiful Day, Walk On, and/or Stuck. Remember...this isn't a concert for us die-hard fans...it's a half-time show for U2 dum-dums.

Hopefully the crowd will be "with it" enough to get into the show and be enthusiastic. And hopefully the acoustics will be better than they were on Leno (ugh!).

-sula

 

[Matthew_Page2000]

Ugh. Double ugh. It'll be U!! S!! A!!
And then right into Walk On.
Not that there's anything wrong with that but been there, done that. I actually
switched over from Leno to FX to watch the Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathon once I realized it was going to be Walk On again.
Dear God, that's worrisome isn't it? Not only did I choose a television show called BUFFY over u2 but I chose a Buffy RE-RUN!

Really concerned about my masculinity,
MAP

 

[SicilianGoddess]

Well like Sula said... they've gotta play their new known songs for the dum dums..

I know its been seen, done a billion times but I dunno, I never get sick of seeing U2 perform.

 

[PopFly]

It depends how long they get to play. I predict two new songs plus at least one of the classics.

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"Good men die unhappily. Bad men die unluckily. THAT's tragedy." --Tom Stoppard

Adam: Look guys, I got a Springfield spoon for my spoon collection.
Edge: Oh boy, here we go...
Bono: Wow, how many is that now Adam?
Adam: Nine. If I didn't have my spoons, I'd go insane.
Bono: Can I see it?
*adam gives bono the spoon, bono throws it away*
Adam: My spoon!

 

[*Ally*]

hmmm. not sure how i feel about this yet. but any chance to see U2 live is cool, i guess. i hope they throw in one of their old hits... how about Streets?

 

[Hewson]

Wouldn't Sunday Bloody Sunday be appropriate for the Super Bowl? (certainly for the losing team at least)

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The joker is the best card.

 

[~LadyLemon~]

It's just U2 right? I'll be pissed if they perform with other shitty bands...if it's just them, then great! One more complaint--don't play Stuck. I've heard it so many times it makes me want to yak (not one of my favorites).

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We need new dreams tonight

 

[U2SJ]

I'm excited about this too, just can't imagine it, but it'll be cool I'm sure!

 

[Angel]

Originally posted by Matthew_Page2000:
... Not only did I choose a television show called BUFFY over u2 but I chose a Buffy RE-RUN!

Matthew- Buffy rocks.

Back to the matter at hand... I just had a fearful thought... U2 + the 'What's Going On' gang... Oh GOD! Britney, Destiny's Child... NSUCK again!! It could happen... Let's hope it doesn't. Unfortunately the superbowl halftime show is about spectacle, marketing and bringing in the audience... Will good old Elevation be enough?

*Tells herself it's enough for her...*


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"It's no secret that our world is in darkness tonight..."

 

[sulawesigirl4]

Well, honestly...if they don't play Two Hearts Beat as One...I will be so pissed. I mean, c'mon. It's time that they acknowledged their earlier work! Campaign for Two Hearts! Better yet...I think they should pull out Elvis Presley and America in a live setting. What better place to unveil live rarities than a non-U2-loving, beer-guzzling, football crowd?

-sula

 

[Danospano]

When I first heard about this stunt (and it is a publicity stunt done solely to sell records) I was pissed off. I thought what has happened to band that sand "Silver and Gold", "Please", "The Playboy Mansion", and countless other songs about redemption and material corruption? Then I thought, WOW! this should be pretty cool. I think I'll respond to this thread. And then it occured to me that I was right all along. U2 has given into siren song of $$$$$$ (Cash). Is there anything wrong with that? I don't know, but it sure sounds like their goal is not just about changing the world.

If Bono rips into one of his patent tyraids on world peace and "no war...no more" he might save his reputation. Otherwise, I fear they WILL embarass themselves as Aerosmith did last year.

 

[tomtom]

In my opinion U2 are becoming a part of the very thing they mocked and fought against in POP and POPmart- commercialism. The only reason POPmart was, infact not pop, was the irony, the fact that everyone knew that despite trying their hardest to give the impression that they were only interested in making money, there were higher levels involved. I feel they are treading a very thin line here between trying to be big (which I think is great), and 'selling out'.

The definition of selling out, for me is as follows- when an artist tries to become popular on the terms of the masses and not their own. When what they are creating andf playing is dictated by what OTHERS think is good and not their own. Whether U2 are doing that, I dont know. But I am uncertain, and so are many others. Only time will tell, I guess.

[This message has been edited by tomtom (edited 11-26-2001).]

 

[Mac Phisto]

I think the latest album, the exhaustive U.S. touring, t.v. appearances, and now the SUPERBOWL, are all U2's attempt to stay on as a relevant pop force (especially in America). They don't want to become what REM has become. And if they want to stay POPular, who can blame them???

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Mac Phisto's N.Y. Headquarters

 

[Matthew_Page2000]

But it's a balancing act Mac Phisto. U2 works best when the music they make is relevant and popular but also challenging. If U2 turn into the Rolling Stones a lot of what makes them special will be lost. It may be hard to believe now but the Stones were once more outrageous and controversial than U2 could possible dream of being. Now they're as corporate and "safe" a band as there is in the world. Sympathy for the Devil is considered funny and Gimme Shelter is used in car commercials.
It sounds weird, and I'm not sure that I can really articulate this well, but I liked it when U2 didn't appear on all the late night talk shows. I liked that they didn't (for the most part) do What's Going On type collaborations with pop stars. Can you imagine U2 doing a cover of Lennon's Power to the People with the New Kids On the Block and Milli Vanilli in 1991?? It would never have happened. And the world is a better place for it never having happened.
Call me uptight or pretentious but I think that the power of U2's music is diluted when it's overexposed. I also think that the power of the music is diluted when it's used in a half dozen adds (BD) or when it's played on Jay Leno. (WO)

MAP

 

[Roland of Gilead]

You do not become the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Stones, Queen and Pink Floyd without appealing to the masses. Appealing has nothing to do with selling out. Some people may be confused.

We are talking about playing live to one of the largest televised events in the world. Are you crazy to think that if U2 were offered this earlier in their career that they would not of taken this opportunity?

I see, the NFL come to you and give you and offer. That makes you a "possible" sell-out?

How about this ; For once the NFL sign the right band to perform a Superbowl 1/2 time show! It is about time!

Make whatever complex socialogical ego gratifying comment you like. The end result will always be the same. You will watch it. You may even love it.

No, sorry U2. You can not perform at the Superbowl. Apparently, some "so called" fans have seen enough of you guys on the tube. Too much U2TV is a bad thing obviously.




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"I know that this is not goodbye." -Kite

 

[Angel]

Wow, this is a tough subject and I probably shouldn't even tackle it, but I am bored, so here goes.
I don't think U2 has sold out in the least. I do agree that they are most definately 'over-exposing' themselves and yeah, marketing themselves to the hilt. But through all this the music has stayed pure. I don't think U2 went into the studio consciously thinking, 'let's go back to the basics'. I think ATYCLB developed naturally. I don't for one think it had anything to do with a marketing ploy following on the heals of a failing Popmart.
Now the success of the Elevation Tour is well-deserved and it was not a given. Nothing in life is guaranteed and not even U2 knew the album would be received so graciously. My opinions on the TV appearances and the continued tour is simple- they are fully aware of what it takes today to be big and to stay big. U2 pride themselves at being the best and want everyone to still know that they are the best and in the days of bubble gum pop music, to stand out, you must be seen, and be seen they have. Bono has said many times over, that he would like to see bands like Radiohead on the popcharts because they should be up there competing with the teen acts. It isn't as cool as people seem to think to stay in shadows and just make music. It's a whole package, and as long as U2 stay true to their music (which I believe they have and always will) I didn't care on what show they sing. IT IS COOL TO BE SEEN.
Some may not agree with the "What's Going On" group, but Bono knew that to raise as much $$ as he possibly could, he needed to get other acts on the bills as well, and that's what he did and he has been nothing but open about it. Ok, so 'us' fans of U2 would have rather seen just U2, but let's face it, the record was probably more successful getting every genre into the mix.

Now I have gone on and on here, but I guess it just bugs me when fans question U2's stance. They are still the same band they were in the 80's, and I would say they are even better. They have embraced the new age and have adapted with the times and to stay in your face successful you need all that coupled with the best damn music out there.

*Steps off soap-box*

But, for the love U2 Bono... DO NOT bring Britney onstage at the Super-Bowl!! lol

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"It's no secret that our world is in darkness tonight..."

 

[Angel]

I second everything you said Roland of Gilead, we were postin at the same time!

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"It's no secret that our world is in darkness tonight..."

 

[kweber7]

Wouldn't it be great if U2 debuted a new song of their new album coming out next summer? I would LOVE to see U2 do an epic song with an extended guitar solo, like a song similar to a Freebird, Stairway to Heave, or Hotel California. They have ten minutes apparently. Let's see some new stuff and then Sunday Bloody Sunday.

 

[The Wanderer]

I like it as long as they don't go out and do some ridiculous duets similar to what went on last year (and previous), but I seriously doubt U2 would do anything to embarrass themselves -- they probably have a lot of control (if not all) over what will be going on when they perform

debuting a new song would be fabulous, but that's probably just wishful thinking

 

[STING2]

Sometimes I wonder how many of you were fans during Joshua Tree, Rattle And Hum, Achtung, and Zooropa. If you were I don't think you would be that surprised seeing the band in a lot of places this year.
U2 have recorded a Classic album and are going to get to expose their music to millions of people who may not normaly get to hear or see U2 live. The SuperBowl is broadcast in many Third World countries. Why would you want to deny these people a chance of seeing U2 on TV. Not everyone lives in the United States.
Oh and as far as Late Night TV show appearences being "new" to U2, May 30, 1981 The Tommorow Show hosted by Tom Snyder! Yep, one of the last stops on U2s first tour of America.

 

[notiti]

Originally posted by mbi16:
Then you can argue that entering the 90's they could afford to experiment whereas entering ATYCLB they couldn't.

Again, in the end I'm in for the music and that in itself is still great.

See I have to disagree with that one. I think that the fact that they are so popular right now would increase their ability to experiment. The US has been sold, all the nice little middle class american families will cluster around their TVs and listen to U2 on Super Sunday. "Oh what a nice band they are, isn't their message uplifting? Blah blah blah." They'll say. And to be fair they are right, U2 is bloody terrific, in my opinion they can do no wrong, but here's the thing: I'm a punk.
SO I kinda feel like they sold out. Now I'm not saying that by doing stadium tours and making videos one sells out, they are simply responding to demand, but playing the 1/2 time show at the super bowl? At this point the Super Bowl is basically a holiday for commercialism. The commercials cost millions of dollars, and every corporate whore of a celebrity is out there shaking what they've got to make a buck. Granted U2 isn't making commercials or anything but one feels that it is a small step away.
And here I might make some enemies (sorry to the Southern Californians here) but they have sort of been playing with sell out bands. Cuz as an ex rude girl I could tell you some stories about No Doubt back in my day, before Gwen was the lead singer and basically kicked her brother out of the band. I mean yeah No Doubt still makes good music, but they left their origanal underground ska fan base in order to make it to the big time, and all us kids in black and white suits and suspenders were hurt. We consider them to be sell outs because they abandoned us and their original ideas.(Sorry I know this is kind of random.)
But anyway my point (and I do have one) is that sell out is relative. I don't think that by playing the Super Bowl U2 is nessisarily selling out, but they are walking a fine line. I hope they go back to their Pop era sacrastic ass roots. That's punk rock.



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[DebbieSG]

U2 might be doing this gig because it is such a challenge. They will face people who have absolutely no interest in a spiritual and politically minded rock band and will have the chance to win them over. Or people who have heard of them incidentally will finally find out what they are really about. Those kind of opportunities are rare. It's in a really commercial situation (but then so are the football players) but their message will reach millions of people. The audience is really in for more than entertainment.

 

[mbi16]

uhm I agree with you Angel but let me explain what I think is eating away at some of the fans' souls that would bring on such a discussion. Because in reality the TV appearances are not the problem.

1. Ticket prices, seriously when in the world did anyone ever think they would pay $135 for U2? Granted the best are only $45 and forget the fact that they are worth it in our heads. We can sit here and argue all day over who sets the prices, ticketbastard sucks, etc. but point is considering the stance that they've always had throughout the 80's and 90's it is still absurd. Plus the numbers have come in, it's nearly if not the most profitable tour ever.

2. Boston, yes the famous line incident that got blamed on HBO (who we now know had nothing to do with it) and it got never addressed by the band. Minor yes, but this is also the show whom they are selling on the DVD and making money outta of it.

3. Bono's noble political causes has him on a leash and the man has gotten so politically correct that watching him up close in LA2 talking during please I swear I could feel him twitching as he searched for the right words and tried to control himself. In fact I think I watched (not sure could've read) an interview which he says briefly nearly under his breath that he's "working with both parties I kind of have to gag myself" (I will try to find this one for you all's reference). I think we all sympathise with the reason why but it's still painful to watch, especially in contrast to "80's U2"

4. When ATYCLB came out Bono was talking smack about the boy bands etc. Again for a noble cause but to then colaborate with the same people for What's Going On? Ok I agree it needed the publicity but I think that getting not so publicized musicians such as Radiohead in the mix too would've caused as much noise if not more. It would also be a way to get these bands that he wants so bad on the popcharts on the charts. Now I don't know, maybe he asked and it didn't take but I definately think that by getting musicians that wouldn't do this w/o incentive and that also have mediocre musical abilities if any, in a way sort of lowered the standard of the project. Let's not forget that the majority of people that listen to artists such as N'Sync do not vote so there's another little minor thing.

5. And then finally after you sum all that up that's when this overexposure on TV thing starts to hurt.

Again I wanna stress that it's all about the music. I went to 6 shows, had a blast, no complaints, and I'm trying to get my ass to Miami. So I'm not a grumpy fan, I still love the boys and everything they do. But love can blind you , and "love is blindness," so with my eyes open those things can really hurt.

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Tha Prickly Comedian