I'm going to try to walk a very fine line with this post here it goes...
I personally think that U2 lately (ATYCLB->HTDAAB) have unreasonably favoured America. It's almost as though they are a slave to it, to a point. I think the under pinning reason as to why they are doing this is because of what happened in 1997.
When America totally burned them with Pop it seemed like it rolled off there back, they werent terribly phased. But as that Album/Tour cycle wore on and they got ditched in sales/awards/attendance I think the grew a tad pissed off. I think they became a tad narrow in there vision for the next album which is without a doubt the most obvious pop record they have written (which LMJ atests to himself). The irony being that the catch-cry for that album was that they were trying to reclaim the biggest band status and that they were out to triumph over popular music, with there own popular music. This paradox I never quite understood. Nevertheless its irrelevent.
The Elevation Tour (particularly the 3rd leg which is what it is remembered for) was heavily focused on America. Overly focused on America. The whole American Flags everywhere, shouting USA at every oppourtunity, New York, New York etc, etc. It should be remembered that not only was Boston released, but MSG was also recorded on the 3rd leg but deemed too scarred for release (this is prior too our incesent begging for Slane to be considered for release). U2's clear aim was to win back the hearts and mind of America. How this would achieve there over-arching goal of "re-applying to be the biggest band in the world" is beyond me.
After the conclusion of the third leg of Elevation they appeared to reject any notion of a second European leg or an Australian leg or a Bono Loves Africa Leg. The magical 3rd leg of America in there opinion (& to be honest the masses opinion) was that "U2 had won back America" (taken from the Boston doco). U2's aim to be the biggest in the World merely focused on winning back America.
True, I think Europe & ROW got delt pretty well back in the day. The best example of overall even handedness while touring would be ZooTV. America was done twice, Europe twice, ROW once. Thats a fairly good ration I think, even though ROW is treated as a massive afterthought - they do at least get the shows etc. JT-LoveTown as well was reasonably fair overall, America twice, ROW once, Europe Twice.
But as there age & Bono's voice limit them a bit they appear to have whittled down there touring schedule to the most important things. Which are 2 legs of America & 1 leg of Europe. If you compare there actions now to those of the past this is the ONLY conclusion you can reach.
Naturally I'm a tad miffed by this as I'm a ROW'er. But I can live without it. If U2 eventually do decide to come to Australia I will be absolutely thrilled. If they don't it's to be expected. They still make great music & are a great live band, its just a pity they don't share the love... as much as they used too.
