I've been trying to sense things myself as far as this tour goes... Good news... They've extended the tour to a leg 4... didn't see that last tour... Good news... Miss Sarajevo still proves that Bono's got the range needed for a rock show.. and then some!... and let's not get into Electric Co. totally kicking ass as well as COBL and, well, Fast Cars... etc... obviously the material is there to continue on and on and on..
however, with that being said, my fears are:
1. Seeing Larry in a prosthetic arm brace doesn't make me feel any better... I mean, any type of repetitive stress type injury could just end it... those who talk about U2 reincarnated a la Van Halen (Sammy replacing Dave), well, I would say you'd see average ticket sales at best.... U2 is U2.. would the Beatles have replaced John Lennon? COULD they have replaced him? I mean, how many records would the E Street Band sell without Springsteen? Some things just ARE! I think U2 is in that realm where they are what they are.. you take away the Edge for example and you have a cheap imitation... there is no substitute... as Bono has said... being in a band is like being in a gang or in a priesthood.. you don't get out of either while you're alive...
2. Bono's politics taking a front role before the band... it was good to hear Bono say that he needs music more than anything else in his recent 60 minutes interview... but half of me thinks he is just telling us what we want to hear... I hope I'm wrong..
3. Tragedy. Whether it's within one of their families or if it happens to a member of the band themselves, including McGuiness... no one is exempt from tragedy and U2 has had an amazing run. And they're getting older... anything, God forbid, could happen as the years pass. Am I a doomsdayer? No. I'm being a realist. Time is now their enemy more than it ever has been.
4. After Elevation I KNEW that there would be another tour... but right now, I'm not convinced. Sure they say that there's a lot more in them... I HOPE! I guess the only saving grace is that if this was going to be their last tour they would have let us know... I just really hope in 20 years I'm not reading a summary of their legacy and how they ended their last NYC/MSG show wiith John Lennon's 'Instant Karma' ... the irony would be hard to accept. Their next tour would be their first where some of their first generation of fans might not be around to see it...
I guess I can see the Stones touring and such... but they don't have any hype anymore... I mean I would hate to have U2 touring when they're 60 just as some sort of history lesson. It is pretty much recognized that while the Stones are on tour now, that they haven't got any hook anymore... I mean I feel I'm pretty knowledgeable about the current music scene and I couldn't tell you the name of any current Stones tune if you offered to pay me. As long as U2 can continue to remain inspired at the levels they have been... I think there's no doubt that there will be another tour... they do have a legacy to fulfill afterall.
Odds are I'll be 40 next tour and I honestly hope that I'll still be battling for a front row spot at multiple shows... and besides.. I need to see Miroslava break her Veritigo Tour record for stage appearances.