RedRocksU2
Blue Crack Addict
Canadiens1131 is right.....even if he is Canadian.
Just don't go anymore. The solution is just as simple as you are.
Personally I'd love them to use that time to air their grievances with and about each other-but that might be overshare.
perfect response. U2 without politics is not U2.
btw, not saying i agree with the original poster, but does everyone remember when u2s politics were largely enough said in the songs and bono barely needed to say anything? i miss that.
So true, but I do not recall the "politics" of the Pop Tour -- which I saw in Kansas City -- pray tell, could the lack of politics be why the Pop Tour might go down as the worst, relatively speaking?
Well now, this IS a mighty fine thread to sandwich around some East Coast shows tonight. And, while I did not read every posters 'location', I can attest that here in the Midwest, a tad more conservative than the coasts, many "skip" U2 as an act just because of the (pick your term) "political bullshit". They won't listen or buy the music, and Lord knows they skip the concerts as well.
Here's a question for thought...does U2's campaigning and convictions help their music, or detract from it? Would they have written the brilliant songs they have had they not believed as they do and did not campaign the way they do? Or does in fact their politics and spirituality actually make them a better band and inspire them to greater heights?
I'm not sure if that was ever true.
In the 80's the politics were more off the cuff angry rants, probably a little more sexy in the realm of rock n roll, but not very effective.
In the 90's the politics were vague and shrouded in irony, but still pretty active outside the shows.
In the 00's they're a little more scripted but I would say much much more effective.
For the record, I consider PopMart and ZooTV to be, by far, their two best tours.
Most of us are here today because of that very message in the music and because the package known as "U2" - the music, the politics, the spirituality, the good, the overbearing perhaps - is what attracts us to U2. It's our own, and in the end, there will be us hard cores left and the general public may in fact turn their backs once more on U2. I know Bono likes to be as bipartisan as possible, but the rest of the band isn't so conciliatory and maybe the U2 collective will finally just say well to hell with those who don't like us. I could honestly see that possibly happening, and the message getting stronger, not weaker.
Here's a question for thought...does U2's campaigning and convictions help their music, or detract from it? Would they have written the brilliant songs they have had they not believed as they do and did not campaign the way they do? Or does in fact their politics and spirituality actually make them a better band and inspire them to greater heights?
Well now, this IS a mighty fine thread to sandwich around some East Coast shows tonight. And, while I did not read every posters 'location', I can attest that here in the Midwest, a tad more conservative than the coasts, many "skip" U2 as an act just because of the (pick your term) "political bullshit". They won't listen or buy the music, and Lord knows they skip the concerts as well.
I've always maintained that a couple of well-chosen sentences will beat a lengthy ramble any time, and make Bono's points far more effectively.
It was one thing in 2001 when it was about 9/11. That was moving, memorable, and appropriate. Something that obviously hit home with all of us. No one who ever saw that tour post 9/11 will ever forget it.
Unbelievable show last night at Gillette for so many reasons.....the sound was as perfect as any concert I've ever heard, the stage was the most insane thing I've ever seen out of my millions of concerts I've been to, and the set list was near perfect. But there was one HUGE problem....THE POLITICAL BULLSHIT!!!!
My god, what's it gonna take to get Bono to just sing songs for Christ's sake?? When I go to a concert I want music. I don't give a rats ass about Iranian women being oppressed, AIDS in Africa, or any of that other bullshit. A quick mention before something like Sunday Bloody Sunday is one thing, but to spend the whole second half of the show jamming that shit down my throat really pissed me off. Huge downer on the night.
I love this band but that shit was ridiculous. I still can't believe they ruined such a great song like Walk On by bringing all of those fans on stage holding the picture of some Iranian woman over the face. F'n ridiculous.
And then some Americans wonder the rest of the world laughs at them.....Like I said, if Bono wants to dedicate Sunday Bloody Sunday to whatever injustice there is going on in the world, then fine. I get that. But the relentless way they incorporate these issues from the other side of the world into the show is just not what people want from a night out at a concert.
But what are you gonna do, leave?? Not go?? Of course not. The music is too damn good. And U2 should wake up and realize there ARE people that DO skip shows because they know about the political agenda Bono spews all night. It's a damn shame.
It was one thing in 2001 when it was about 9/11. That was moving, memorable, and appropriate. Something that obviously hit home with all of us. No one who ever saw that tour post 9/11 will ever forget it.
And then some Americans wonder the rest of the world laughs at them.....
This is pure comedy gold!!!!
Credit to the band for this tour's version of SBS - gets the Iran point across without wasting valuable time on a longwinded spiel, and the point's all the more effective because it's a part of the music.
Personally I'd love them to use that time to air their grievances with and about each other-but that might be overshare.
Or, maybe, Boots was just a crappy choice for the first single.
Is it wrong that I immediately thought impure thoughts? LEBA moment:bono and edge will wrestle in a feat of strength.
I'm sorry but what is more off-putting at a concert?
Bono making a couple of speeches before songs or them stopping the concert altogether so they can have a live conversation with people in a basement in Sarajevo who basically accuse the audience of not doing anything while a genocide is going on.