Really?
I think I could convince more people here that Larry is probably frustrated with that day's studio session being interrupted for this interview. It is a very likely scenario.
But this is interference and it doesn't surprise me to see this thread. [emoji23]
Yes, this is interference so it doesn't surprise me to have a bunch of posts needlessly contradicting me. If you can't see what I'm talking about....knowing this band....then I can't help you.
I'm no body language expert but if ten of the worlds best analyzed this interaction I think all ten would agree with me (without even knowing the band).
Why is Larry making that face (grimacing as he answers a couple times) and speaking to Bono instead of the camera? Why does Bono stick his tongue in his cheek whilst glaring back at him. Why is Larry shaking his head "no" when answering that first question and stuttering. Don't you think if he was on board he would have mentioned a specific song? It's quite obvious. Do you really think he's looking forward to playing WOWY for the 20,892nd time? Maybe I'm just better at reading body language then I thought because it's so clear to me.
I like posting here because occasionally there's a rational person and I still love this band...but it's so predictable....a bunch of naysayers step in, sometimes tries to mock me, etc.
I also knew that a lot of people would say "oh, that's just Larry being Larry".
Why can't more than just a couple people say "I think you have a point"? I swear some people just argue for the sake of arguing and wind up looking delusional in the process.
Again, I respect and appreciate that a lot of people have spent money and have already made plans to see this tour. I totally understand and don't want to diminish anyone's enjoyment.
But to suggest that this tour isn't everything that this band used to stand against is absolute madness (and not the grand kind).
Whatever happened to "no reverse gears on this tank"?
As far as creating a narrative as someone else suggested, funnily enough, the band is the one creating the narrative and not me. This whole "the album is relevant again" thing is simply the cover story.
Bono is desperate for relevance and they're hoping on Trump's exposure (to a large extent) to try and find some by touring on the back of a thirty year old album. It's a backwards strategy and that's a fact.
One of the most magical things about this band is when their material is brought into focus after it's created (like the New York shows after 9/11) or when something happens organically.
18:38 - 19:25. This is the type of integrity that this band always stood for. I know these are different times but what the hell happened to this line of thinking? This meant a lot to me and I hate to see that it's gone. I've always wanted them to have one more "world beating" moment where they make a phenomenal album that is widely regarded. Now they're trying to force it by creating a narrative so they can make a desperate bid for relevance.
You ever notice how desperate men aren't attractive to women? Why can't they see that this desperation is not working for them? If they wan't to capture the world's imagination with their music again...they should make the damn album they want and not worry about the latest "hip" producer or trying to make hits.
It's sad and Larry's heart is not in this. As he has said in the past, he does not want to be a jukebox.
I almost hate bringing all this up because some of what I'm saying (as opposed to the video which is blatantly obvious) is not measurable. But this is what I see.
With that said, there are some aspects to this tour that are exciting. What will the stage look like? How will they play some of these songs (like Exit, ITTYW, RHMT) that haven't been played for a while (or ever)? Will this tour breathe new life into some of the warhorses? Will Bono step up and actually try to do these songs justice? Will they dust off any B-sides? Maybe even play Heartland? How will the tour be received by the world at large? etc, etc
But I can't ever forget that it's a desperate move concealed by a false narrative. It just is.
Who knows? Maybe it will make the world pay more attention to their next album and it will be a good move for them in that way.
Now that I think about it, I think that U2 stopped being the same band when that they lost their fifth member (Paul M who I have met).
I'll always follow this band but they're so lost right now and it makes me really sad.