U2's perceived earnestness, certainly that in the early part of their career - which set the tone for the band's perception amongst the public, is the main reason. This is an aspect or attribute which is absent from the British or, and it be better put, English national psyche. It is a component of the Irish national psyche which is why they jar somewhat. Twinned with this is a 'distaste' for Bono for mostly the same reason. In fact, most of the people I have met who have expressed a dislike for U2 have cited their dislike for Bono as the principle reason for this.
In England, U2 is lauded more for the Achtung Baby/Zooropa/Pop trilogy, and the subsequent tours that followed, than anything else. Their flirtation with irony provided some welcome relief for the musical press in Britain in their coverage of the band.
jameskinsella, thank you so much for the above statement. You have finally said the words that I have been waiting to hear someone say.
The main "beef" that the British press (amongst other newspapers in the Commonwealth sphere of influence - Aussies, Canadians, etc) is simply that
U2, especially Bono, is
too sincere, too earnest, too optimistic to appeal to their tainted & jaded national points of view!
I've always known that U2, especially Bono, has actually NOT done a darn thing to deserve the very nasty & negative treatment that they receive in the Brit press.
It's just that the British ( English?) cultural point of view is to be a bit reserved, a bit skeptical and a bit jaded in their outlook
and anybody who does not share that frame of reference - especially when they're someone like Bono who actually thinks that they CAN change the world and then actually DOES it,
has to be "brought down".
So the Brit media sets about a course to tirade against any good thing that Bono does & tries to implicate him in negative things that he has not done
just because of their own twisted & negative view of life!
How f*ckin' insane is that? And should that insane point of view continue to be tolerated?
Would we allow that sort of bullying if it was happening to a family member or a friend?
I doubt it.
So why do we allow it to continue against U2 & Bono?
No one can give me a good response to my question so I won't expect one.
But I do thank jameskinsella for finally being honest enough to speak the truth that I always knew was there - if someone would simply be honest.
All the best, jameskinsella.