Why I am against U2 playing at the Super Bowl - Bono has gone back on his word....

[Hitman]

To continue to abuse their position and "Fuck up the mainstream." It used to be U2 didn't go on Letterman and Leno, didn't do SNL, didn't go on EVERY awards show.....funny, it made them seem even more HUGE, that they were somehow above these things, too cool to be bothered......

To me, at least, it seems U2 is not fucking up the mainstream anymore, they are merely part of the mainstream....mere steps above Aerosmith. Hey, I still love the band and think this may be their best tour/ album ever (or very close, at the very least), but I miss the attitude, the swagger, the "we are going to do it our way" mentality that Bono and the band carried throughout most of the 90's. They have spent too much time lately ensuring that they will remain popular. It used to be Bono didn't even care about losing the "pop kids". Now he goes (way) out of his way to court them. I'm getting scared an appearance on Howard Stern i just around the corner. I hope not.
Just my .02

Hitman

[This message has been edited by Hitman (edited 11-27-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Hitman (edited 11-27-2001).]

 

[TheU2]

Originally posted by Hitman:
I'm getting scared an appearance on Howard Stern i just around the corner. I hope not.

I'd love to see Bono on Stern!!



------------------
Kennedy

 

[UCLAforU2]

When is playing these things about playing to "pop kids"? Its about playing to a ton of fucking people, kids, fans and whatnot. Bono has always been one to try to convert every last person if it kills him. Its not like he said way back when: OK, there are enough U2 fans in the world. U2 is a populist band, and they appeal to whole lot of fucking people.

Oh yeah, and kids are people too. Just cause your old doesnt mean your the only one entitled to like U2.

So, yeah, i think your full o' crap

[This message has been edited by UCLAforU2 (edited 11-27-2001).]

 

[U2Bama]

It's about transcending boundaries

 

[mbi16]

this is getting repetative hitman look here:
http://forum.interference.com/u2feedback/Forum1/HTML/015924.html

and here:
http://forum.interference.com/u2feedback/Forum22/HTML/002686.html



------------------
Tha Prickly Comedian

 

[bullet the blue sky]

Surely, to fuck up the mainstream, you have to be in it first?!

 

[Zoo Schabow]

Didn't Bono say that in early 1994 at the Grammy's?

Well, it's almost 2002. Eight years after he said that. I don't know about you, but some of my veiws have changed since eight years ago.

That's what makes this era of U2 so special. They are still doing what they want to do. But this time, America can't get enough of it. How could they not take advantage of that?

Throughout the 90's I was always dissapointed because U2 wouldn't play SNL or Leno, now they are. I love it. It's such a great feeling when my favorite band is on TV!

------------------
"And I can feel the cold steel. And I can make a wound that won't heal."- Bono

 

[SicilianGoddess]

Originally posted by U2Bama:
It's about transcending boundaries

lmfao

 

[vox626]

I agree, U2 sucks, I mean the balls on them to try and play all these events in order to sell albums. YOU would ALMOST think it is their job.....oh wait it is! Anyone who thinks that they suck because they play leno and letterman and SNL you arnt a REAL U2 fan because you obviously dont want them to reach a larger audience. Shut the Fuck up and let them play where ever, when ever and what ever they want!!!!!!!

 

[Zoo Schabow]

Originally posted by IvanClaytonJnr:

The Beatles - Monkees = U2 in 90's - U2 in 00's ( right now )

I hope you're kidding.

------------------
"And I can feel the cold steel. And I can make a wound that won't heal."- Bono

 

[bullet the blue sky]

Ivan's a bit upset... been at the vodka you see!

 

[HelloAngel]

I believe U2 was asked to play the Super Bowl because the network's music committee believe U2 has an uplifting message to offer the viewers during HalfTime versus some Jessica Simpson/cleavage crap like last year's POP barfbag. U2 have, since September, made the decision to stay and play for Americans because they know we need some uplifting messages and some good ole soul. If U2 is wrong for offering to fit the "uplifting bill", then I guess they're wrong. I really believe that the Super Bowl gig is not about ego - it's about being humble and doing their friggin job - offering spiritual salve to a country that has been needing U2 and all that they offer this year.

[This message has been edited by HelloAngel (edited 11-27-2001).]

 

[Matthew_Page2000]

Are you kidding HelloAngel? You seriously think that U2 are set to appear in front of the largest audience of their lives, in the most coveted and expensive ADVERTISING space anywhere on television in order to uplift the American spirit. I've heard of rose colored glasses before but this takes the cake.

MAP

 

[pub crawler]

Hey, there's nothin' wrong with rose colored fly shades... I've got 'em too. I'm one of the few people that believe that Bono was not disingenuous in his befriending of Jesse Helms and pals.

 

[U2girl]

Well i think U2 should do different things to get their music across to as many people as possible. And that includes MTV awards, SNL, Super bowl etc...it will help get new fans and that's what counts.

[This message has been edited by U2girl (edited 11-28-2001).]

 

[Saracene]

A thought about POP:

A lot of people are saying how they're a bit disappointed that U2 are trying too hard to be popular with ATYCLB and Elevation. Well, you could argue that they did POP because they thought that dance and electronic music would be huge and they would sell gazillions while riding the crest of this popularity (and they DID expect to sell a lot according to some 1997 articles I've found). I see no reason why this can't be seen as a calculated attempt to hop unto the bandwagon of what they thought would be massively popular. And though I know what they tried to do with the POPmart and satiricizing the whole "commercialism" issue, the thing was, to many people POP and POPmart seemed like the part of the whole "commercialism" problem rather than its mockery. That is often the problem when you try to be ironic: whatever higher levels there may be involved, people often don't see them.

 

[kerc]

It's a musical journey.

------------------
k e r c

La aventura del comienzo
La intriga de lo incierto
No temas y busca lo nuevo
S?lo empieza desde cero

 

[Bonochick]

Originally posted by Zoo Schabow:

Throughout the 90's I was always dissapointed because U2 wouldn't play SNL or Leno, now they are. I love it. It's such a great feeling when my favorite band is on TV!

 

[sulawesigirl4]

*yawn*

This topic is gettin really old really fast.

 

[LarryMullen's POPAngel]

Originally posted by kerc:
It's a musical journey.

Say that with an Irish accent and I'm yours forever. lmao

Btw, if anyone thinks they've gone too commercial, just don't watch them on tv. Simple as that.


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

 

[kerc]

Repeating to himself with a bad Irish accent...

It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.

Practice, practice, practice...

------------------
k e r c

La aventura del comienzo
La intriga de lo incierto
No temas y busca lo nuevo
S?lo empieza desde cero


[This message has been edited by kerc (edited 11-28-2001).]

 

[HelloAngel]

Originally posted by Matthew_Page2000:
Are you kidding HelloAngel? You seriously think that U2 are set to appear in front of the largest audience of their lives, in the most coveted and expensive ADVERTISING space anywhere on television in order to uplift the American spirit. I've heard of rose colored glasses before but this takes the cake.

MAP

No I'm not kidding, and don't presume to tell me that I live with rose-coloured shades on.

In practice, I am usually very cynical about people's motives. If U2 were to have their very own Network special on NBC or whatever like J.Lo did, then yes - I would call it disingenuous. But for the SuperBowl?! Are you saying all big acts that play the SB are disingenuous and simply doing it for ego? In this case, although you might feel differently, I do believe U2 are doing it as a spirit-lifting performance (the Network could have asked a more mass appealing band other than U2 - but U2 have long been known as "uplifting" so hence why they were asked -also, U2 isn't exactly riding high on the American charts if you would like to talk sales figures and comparitive popularity against Garth Brooks who is riding high and who could've performed instead of U2).

I don't really care why they do it - and I don't watch the SB, and most likely won't watch the performance - feel free to disagree with me, but do it without insult.

Addendum - when I mentioned the "POP barfbag" in my previous post, I was referring to the genre-bending SB HalfTime show last year - not U2's album of the same name.



[This message has been edited by HelloAngel (edited 11-28-2001).]

 

[LarryMullen's POPAngel]

Originally posted by kerc:
Repeating to himself with a bad Irish accent...

It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.
It's a musical journey.

Practice, practice, practice...

I like your style, kerc.

Hey Hello Angel...you go on, girl.

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

 

[V Nura]

welll I think one good thing that will coem of this is..people will finally recognize u2 as the best live act in the world.

 

[Salome]

Originally posted by sulawesigirl4:
*yawn*

This topic is gettin really old really fast.

------------------
Salome
Shake it, shake it, shake it

 

[joyfulgirl]

"Bono went back on his word" = changed his mind = growth (in my opinion)

Changing one's mind can be viewed as a virtue, while to hold on to an idea from the past which may no longer be relevant can be viewed as being stuck in a moment.

Maybe it just isn't about being cool and protecting a mystique anymore. Maybe it's about sharing, connecting, being out there, doing whatever they feel like doing in the moment, and if that means the Superbowl, well it will be the only Superbowl I'll watch since 1978, so yeeha, I'm changing, too.

Thumbs up for transcending boundaries.

 

[Hitman]

Well, the bottom line is this:

I am 24 years old, not exactly "old" as some in this thread have suggested. When I first started to love U2, they did have a mystique about them, an aura, a magic. I remember Howard Stern begging his crew to "Get me Bono!!!" after the 1994 grammies. Everybody wanted U2 on their show, but NOBODY could ever get them. Everybody wanted to interview Bono but they couldn't, because, well...he was Bono. He didn't do the celebrity interview/ concert route like everybody else. And now U2 does do that route. So, whatever people may say, the band has lost a lot of that mystique they had. Yes, they want to stay popular. They don't want to end up like REM, like some have suggested. But Bono has gone back on his word. He made a promise to the "young people of America" (of which I still consider myself to be a part of) to continue to "abuse our position" and "Fuck up the mainstream", and he has failed to deliver on that promise. Not the biggest deal in the world, but......they were the biggest band in the world in the early 90's and they did it on their own terms. If anyone were to knock them off the perch, "more power to them" cuz they knocked them off on U2's terms. U2 always stayed true. Achtung Baby/ Zoo TV/ Zooropa will live in history as one of the greatest ass kicking periods in rock-n-roll in history. ATYCLB/ Elevation will live on as a period of time where U2 went back on everything that ZooTV stood for. Again, not the end of the world, but certainly worth discussing on a U2 message board.

____________________________________________

The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.

 

[Matthew_Page2000]

Some excellent points Hitman. I don't agree entirely but you've certainly laid down the gauntlet.

I hope you brought a flame proof jacket.

MAP

 

[womanfish]

"Fuck up the mainstream" was just a statement made at an awards show for Christ's sake. Too many people are acting like it is some prophecy from God that U2 had to follow. Bono says a lot of shit. Some awesome, some really stupid, some in between.

I put this somewhere in between, because I think he failed to realize a simple catch-22.
It's extremely difficult to fuck up the mainstream when you're not in it, and it's extremely difficult to be in the mainstream and fuck it up.

During achtung/zoo, there was publicity and promotion out the ass! They did extended legs of the zoo tour just like now. They got extremely lucky that their music was accepted as well as it was. It was a great time to release that record. Modern rock was THE thing. Listen to Achtung again and tell me that Mysterious Ways, One, WGRYWH, etc... is fucking up anything. They were very radio friendly singles that got a ton of play.

In 1997/98 they went on letterman for an interview. Did they do it because they were trying to fuck up the mainstream. I don't think so. Probably the same reason they played the late shows this time. A little publicity for their album.

I don't love the idea of the superbowl, but this is part of the U2 journey. It's been a long one and it has always been a bit bumpy.

 

[baker6621]

Ok, whoever said they wouldn't watch the SB or the half-time show:

GOOD, cuz we don't need ya. We got the rest of America watching!