A U2 Fan's Catch-22?!?!

[spanisheyes]

Way back in the 80's and early 90's, being a fan was so less stressful. The band released an album, they toured, and then they seem to go away, and you heard little, or nothing about what they were up to, until this beautiful cycle would return, and an album would be released, you went to your show, didn't hear about anyone else's show, and then they were gone again.

But with the internet has come non-stop, continuous news about the band, from where they ate last night to fan's hearing their songs in rehearsal, and telling us titles, song arrangements, and other tidbits about U2's time spent in the studio.

It was U2 on the ZooTV tour that said, "Anticipation is a liar", now I'm not sure what that fully means in the minds of the band, but here we all sit, glued to Interference.com waiting for any little bit of information to arouse our curiousity, and fan the flame of passion that we have for U2.

I guess what I'm getting at is that what we are now experiencing was inevitable, technology has brought us to a place of instant news as in happens in sight and sound. But sometimes I have to admit I miss the days of long ago when their wasn't so much anticipation, and the magic of U2's music and tour made it's way back into your consciousness slowly in such a way that made the whole process seem to pure and awesome.

On the other hand, what a wealth of information we have received through the Popmart and Elevation shows, and other information about the bands interest, as well as pics and mp3s that have given me a great appreciation for the band. So does anyone else feel like your in a catch-22...longing for quiet anticipation of the 80's and early 90's as far as new album releases and tours, and yet enjoy the almost moment by moment barrage of news, rumours, and information that whets the appetite to almost an insane longing for the immediate. Sorry to ramble, but does anyone else feel this way?

Chris

 

[truecoloursfly]

YES!!!

(you said it just right as usual, Chris. Wish I had time for more...)

Deb D

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I wanna walk with you along an unapproved road

the greatest frontman in the world - by truecoloursfly: http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=1575

 

[browneyedgirl]

Yea...I feel this way a little bit ,especially when I saw those pics from inside the studio with some fans from here.....since I'm stuck in OHIO...I'd just rather not know this is going on....

j/k
actually...I think that's wonderful.....
It does make it harder to be patient and just wait for new material...when we're hearing about it everyday...
I 'll admit though, I love semi knowing what thery're doing every minute of everyday ...

 

[Angel]

Yes Chris! I full heartedly agree with you. While I do enjoy receiving up to date information on the band and the progessions being made on the new album, it saddens me to think how much privacy they have lost thanks to new technology.

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"Steal me, deal me, anyway you heal me
Maim me, tame me, you can never change me
Love me, like me, come ahead and fight me
Please me, tease me, go ahead and leave me..."

 

[diamond]

Chris=Genius

diamond

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AIM= diamondbruno9

 

[wertsie]

Personally, I feel like all this technology has done nothing but good. Before it was so hard to find any news or to talk to other fans. The internet is great!

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"We're one, but we're not the same..."

http://U2Baby.com

 

[Crzy4Bono]

Yeah Chris you're exactly right... and tickets are a lot harder to get now too...

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She's gonna dream up a world she wants to live in / She's gonna dream out loud.
Visit my web page at www.u2page.com

 

[spanisheyes]

Originally posted by Angel:
Yes Chris! I full heartedly agree with you. While I do enjoy receiving up to date information on the band and the progessions being made on the new album, it saddens me to think how much privacy they have lost thanks to new technology.

Angel...you bring up a good point as to how much privacy U2 loses...at the same time, I guess if that is what they did not want to happen, they would go to great lengths to see that the music stayed away from the masses. I just don't think that is U2's style, but it has always been about the music and about their fans.

Chris

 

[wertsie]

Originally posted by spanisheyes:
Angel...you bring up a good point as to how much privacy U2 loses...at the same time, I guess if that is what they did not want to happen, they would go to great lengths to see that the music stayed away from the masses. I just don't think that is U2's style, but it has always been about the music and about their fans.

Chris

Yeah. They have said that they don't have a problem with file sharing and bootlegs, so long as nobody is making money off it.



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"We're one, but we're not the same..."

http://U2Baby.com

 

[david]

I could see the internet having negatives and positives. Negative would be the access to leaked mp3s, listened to early it could ruin someones expecations that have been building.

A positive would be the communities that form online that are built on the love for a band. Take for example Weezer, their second album kind of tanked and they sort of just faded away. It wasn't good considering their debut album was so great and people had high expectations for the band. But this little thing called the internet slowly got bigger after 96 and the fan base that still loved Weezer cultivated on the internet and fan sites were built and then grew from there. When the Green album came out it enjoyed some success and so did the band, why? because the fan base was still there, it lived through the internet.

That's what I seen in between each album U2 have put out since Pop Mart.

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The more of these I drink the more Bono makes sense.. - Bean from the KROQ Breakfast with U2.

 

[doctorwho]

Sorry, Chris, but I respectfully disagree with your very eloquently stated theory.

Years ago, I never knew what was up with U2. Once people found out I was a U2 fan, they would ask me when the band is releasing another album, as if *I* had any say in it. LOL!

Often I didn't know about concert dates until it was too late. I didn't know about album releases until after the album was released. I didn't see videos. I didn't find singles. And I never imagined the numerous potential lyrical interpretations.

Now, I know when new material is coming - and can even order it or hear it well before the official release date. I can download videos and enjoy them (instead of waiting for MTV to finally play one during normal hours). I can read about Bono's and fan's interpretations of songs. I can learn about what the band is doing - which is very beneficial when it comes to their charity work. And, most importantly, I know about their tours and can get tickets in a timely fashion.

I don't view every little tidbit of information as growing anticipation. Rather, the opposite is true with me. Years ago, I might have heard a little tidbit of news about a new U2 album, but then I would hear nothing else for months, even years. After all, JT was released 3 years after UF and AB was released 3 years after R&H. That's a long time to wait only to hear just token tidbits of information about an upcoming album. Those rare tidbits are what built up my anticipation - to the point of anxiety (in a pleasant manner).

Now, with this wealth of information, I know new U2 is coming. I don't have to sit and wonder and endlessly wait for that next tidbit of information - I instantly know the progress and can remain calm. I can wait a week or month or a year for new U2 - as long as I know it's coming. It's the not knowing that really made me anxious. Plus, now, when someone asks me about a new album, I have an answer.

Additionally, when someone discusses (or mocks) U2's charity work, I am informed and can "correct" him/her if necessary.

I can find albums, singles or boots - things I had to hunt for (and often failed to find) before. I can download videos and .mp3's instead of waiting for that special boot or video to finally appear.

In other words, for me, the 'net has been a blessing, especially with regards to U2. It has enabled me to be, IMO, a far better fan of U2's music.

.

*edited slight typo and grammar, not content or views.

[This message has been edited by doctorwho (edited 05-15-2002).]

 

[Angel]

Originally posted by spanisheyes:
Angel...you bring up a good point as to how much privacy U2 loses...at the same time, I guess if that is what they did not want to happen, they would go to great lengths to see that the music stayed away from the masses. I just don't think that is U2's style, but it has always been about the music and about their fans.

Chris

I think you may have misunderstood me Chris. I wasn't talking about music being available in the internet, I was talking more about the band's physical 'location', 'whereabouts' being all over the net, and thus, a huge lack of privacy has resulted. We can pretty much track their day to day activities because of technology. Now some may think it's a good thing, but I see it is a bad thing.



[This message has been edited by Angel (edited 05-14-2002).]

 

[spanisheyes]

Originally posted by doctorwho:
I don't view every little tidbit of information as growing anticipation. Rather, the opposite was true with me. Years ago, I might get wind of a new U2 album, but then hear nothing, month after month, year after year. After all, JT was released 3 years after "War" and AB was released 3 years after R&H. That's a long time to wait only to hear token tidbits of information. Those rare tidbits are what built up my anticipation - to the point of anxiety (in a pleasant manner).

Hey Doctor Who, you bring up many valid points, but your most convincing point is the fact that The Unforgettable Fire was released between War and The Joshua Tree and that information seems to have escaped you.

However, that is why I called it a catch-22, because I love being a fan in this new era of technology, but do admit at times I miss the quiet anticipation.

Chris

 

[wertsie]

Yeah...I admit that I start feeling a little uncomfortable when I hear people talking about camping outside Bono's house and all that. They need their privacy. When I go to Dublin (someday!), I can't see myself doing something like that. If I happen to run into them, great, but I'm not going to go stalking them and all that. That's creepy! They need their privacy!

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"We're one, but we're not the same..."

http://U2Baby.com

 

[BostonAnne]

Originally posted by doctorwho:
Often I didn't know about concert dates until it was too late. I didn't know about album releases until after the album was released. I didn't see videos. I didn't find singles. And I never imagined the numerous potential lyrical interpretations.

I almost missed seeing a June Boston show cause I didn't know tickets were going on sale, and when I realized it I was stuck at a car dealership getting a new car with my husband with no cell phone! Then, I couldn't get tickets the second sale date because it was my sister's wedding day! 2001 was my lucky U2 year though, because my sister ended up getting offered tickets from the Fleet Center by being a Bruin's season ticket holder.

Anyhow, I will never be out of the loop again!

But you are right Chris, it is a catch 22 and sometimes I find myself wanting to know more than I need to at the moment. Like, right now I can't wait for someone to find that new mp3!

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?....we?re being thrown out of the studio, we spent 10 minutes writing this next song, 10 minutes recording it, 10 minutes mixing it, 10 minutes playing it back and that?s nothing to do with why it?s called ?40??.? ? Bono - 4/29/87, Chicago, IL

 

[HeartlandGirl]

I agree quite a bit with what doctorwho and BostonAnne have said. The benefits have greatly outweighed the drawbacks.

I live in Oklahoma, and the state is not exactly a mecca of hipness and culture. While everyone else is discussing Garth Brooks' next move, I can come here to interference and associate with other fans who understand my love for the music of U2. The greatest thing for me has been having knowledge of the Elevation Tour and having the information I needed to buy tickets, etc. I only found out about the Dallas show that I went to because I happened to check interference and see that the band had added some last minute shows.

I guess what I'm saying is that my love for U2 has only blossomed because I have better info on the band and when they're doing stuff. I don't necessarily need to know every little detail, but I have enjoyed finding out tour info, knowing when they'll be on TV so I can watch, and learning about rarer songs (not many radio stations in OK played TGBHF!). I do see the point about the anticipation, but I like things as they are now better.

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U2 @ The Blooming Heart

 

[EPandAmerica]

I agree. I was looking forward to some summer reading that was NOT about U2. Then be ready for the new music and more news in the fall.
But all the stories about new songs, and fan meetings have really made it tough to lay down Interference for the summer.
Although until I get my fried modem replaced at home, I am at least getting to sleep thirty minutes longer each morning.

 

[kobayashi]

some don't get the internet. some can't.
the internet, while good, has grown dangerous in it's distribution.

 

[BAW]

Originally posted by diamond:
Chris=Genius

diamond

 

[wertsie]

I think sometimes you just have to set limits for yourself, like, "okay, I'm only going to spend X amount of time on my computer today." I know there's an overwhelming amount of information out there, but I think it makes it easier to find what I want. I mostly just check atu2.com for the latest news and post here as well. I'd be missing out on a lot of cool stuff without the net!

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"We're one, but we're not the same..."

http://U2Baby.com

 

[Crzy4Bono]

Originally posted by HeartlandGirl:
I live in Oklahoma, and the state is not exactly a mecca of hipness and culture. While everyone else is discussing Garth Brooks' next move, I can come here to interference and associate with other fans who understand my love for the music of U2.

Hahaha - sounds like Tennessee.

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She's gonna dream up a world she wants to live in / She's gonna dream out loud.
Visit my web page at www.u2page.com

 

[doctorwho]

Originally posted by spanisheyes:
The Unforgettable Fire was released between War and The Joshua Tree and that information seems to have escaped you.

Oopsy, I meant to write "UF" not "War." Obviously it was 3 years between UF and JT, and 4 years between "War" and JT. I have since corrected my first post.

 

[Shygirl]

I agree with you Chris.. I do enjoy reading all the stories about how people are meeting the band at the studio and Bono giving fans a ride.. It's a guilty pleasure. My concern is people taking advantage of the band being so nice to their fans.. Congrats to everyone that gets to meet them, but hanging out outside the studio everyday is a bit much in my opinion... Maybe the next set of fans will decide they need to stand outside of Bono's house to try to meet him.. Where does it end?

It's great that the internet allows us to get all of this information, but I think it does take what little privacy they have left.

 

[follower]

I?ve been thinking about this topic these last two days, yeah, I?m that slow, LOL.

The advent of Internet changed everything for me, mainly concerning access to information about U2. I was used to wait for months to get my hands in magazines and stuff, sometimes asking a friend or relative who was travelling abroad to bring them for me, and that when I knew about a particular article or interview, because most of the time I didn?t know. It was weird to ask someone to bring me something with U2 on it if I didn?t have any further information, you know, like a blind searching. Even with all those difficulties I was fairly well- informed about the band?s moves and so on. Nowadays it?s something else, it has been great. Not to mention the innumerous possibilities I have now of listening to their songs, songs I had never had a chance to listen to before.

So Chris, to summarize, I don?t think I miss those times. I remember feeling anguished sometimes, waiting and waiting. I haven?t felt that way anymore. Not concerning U2.

 

[spanisheyes]

Originally posted by follower:
The advent of Internet changed everything for me, mainly concerning access to information about U2.

 

[spanisheyes]

Originally posted by follower:
The advent of Internet changed everything for me, mainly concerning access to information about U2.

Exactly Maria, but access to information will always be at a cost...I just hope that cost is not too much at the expense of the band.

Chris

 

[Desert Rose]

Oh dear I couldn't agree more. Though I like some information I get through Internet, I kinda miss the times I was oh so excited about any new album coming when I had no idea what it would sound like.

Back then I also used to think I was the biggest fan in the world as none of my friends were, then I met so many of you who's done this and that and have loads of U2 stuff and I realized I'm just one in a million.

And as Angel and Chris said, the band loses a lot of privacy which I *ahem* think it's the most important of this whole new technology issue.

 

[promenade]

I agree--the volume of info is both mesmerizing and annoying!

On a side note to other fans as old as me (35)--do you remember when images of the band were so hard to come by?! I mean, in the early 80's you had your small bunch of shots on albums or clipped from magazines and you just tried to figure out everything about the guys from this tiny cache of pictures. I can remember being so shocked when I finally saw pix of the guys smiling and laughing--from all previous pix I thought they always walked around with those deadly serious expressions! So weird to think of now!!

 

[Desert Rose]

Originally posted by promenade:
I agree--the volume of info is both mesmerizing and annoying!

Annoying indeed.

 

[Lilly]

1. Thanks for the new sig idea.

2. The 80s? Tell me more!

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Anticipation is a liar.