Toward the end of Kot's interview with Bono, he mentioned how U2 initiated a week long debate in Chicago about music's place in the world. This got me to be thinking about how only U2 could spark something like this. They're the only band where arty, indie and non-mainstream songwriting sensibilities merge with marketing, mass communication and more mainstream songwriting sensibilities. I think this phenomenon, that only U2 encapsulates, makes them the most relevant band in the world, still. U2 are the place where Radiohead, Coldplay, P Diddy, Springsteen, and Jay Z fans etc. all come to talk to figure out the good and bad of current music because elements of it all can be found in U2's catalog of music, including their current stuff.
U2: Still the most relevant band in rock
- Thread starter Layton
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The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Shawn Bonneau
New Yorker
The proved that Wednesday night.
SMB
SMB
bonojr62
Refugee
hm.... interesting
Earnie Shavers
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
Careful not to confuse "most relevant" with "most famous".
Meghan
Refugee
I think relevence is a point of view.
U2 are the most relevent band for my life, but not necessarily everyone elses.
U2 are the most relevent band for my life, but not necessarily everyone elses.
blueeyedgirl
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
^ 
Earnie Shavers
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
Yeah, there's personal relevance, which is what you are talking about, but cultural relevance is a big part of 'great' music.
doctorwho
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
I would argue that U2 are the most relevant and most influential band out there.
Scissor Sisters definitely have an Elton John vibe, and you can hear Elton's influence in music elsewhere. Oasis certainly imitated the Beatles. However, you don't hear new artists imitating the Stones. I also don't hear new artists imititating the styles of the past, like GnR or Pearl Jam.
However, I hear a lot of U2 in new artists, including Interpol and Coldplay. When people hear new Coldplay and think it's U2, that says a lot. To me, that shows not only relevance, but influence. When Bruce Springsteen is suddenly thinking that he too should have an iPod (even if said in jest), that shows relevance.
Fame is fleeting - far better to be influential.
Scissor Sisters definitely have an Elton John vibe, and you can hear Elton's influence in music elsewhere. Oasis certainly imitated the Beatles. However, you don't hear new artists imitating the Stones. I also don't hear new artists imititating the styles of the past, like GnR or Pearl Jam.
However, I hear a lot of U2 in new artists, including Interpol and Coldplay. When people hear new Coldplay and think it's U2, that says a lot. To me, that shows not only relevance, but influence. When Bruce Springsteen is suddenly thinking that he too should have an iPod (even if said in jest), that shows relevance.
Fame is fleeting - far better to be influential.
Zoomerang96
ONE love, blood, life
Earnie Shavers said:
indeed, someone should pass this memo on to the band.
doctorwho said:
Said in jest, but all it means is that he's interested in the commercialism it brings (he admitted that too).
U2 do not make ipods therefore if Bruce wants one then that's Apple's influence and relevant to the ipod itself.
U2 are not relevant anymore, but they are and always will be influential.
VertigoGal
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
I think they're influential to many new bands coming out these days, but I don't see them as being particularly "relevant." I don't really like Green Day, but they strike me as one of the most culturally relevant right now. Of course, U2 are personally relevant to me! Personally, I think this whole "relevancy" issue is kind of, well, irrelevant. Just make good music.
