New Album Discussion 1 - Songs of..... - Unreasonable guitar album

[Salome]

All matches to be played in Greenland

 

[2861U2]

The gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal is soul

 

[jay canseco]

At least the cage fighting at the Whitehouse is still on!

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

This is quasi political, but doesn't necessarily belong in fym.

But the way things are going - even with a new album? Yea not totally sold we'll be seeing U2 tour in the States next year.

 

[DeVaul]

At least the cage fighting at the Whitehouse is still on!

 

[MattD]

View attachment 24363

View attachment 24364

U2 at the White House?

Actually more likely than them taking a hardline critical stance towards the tangerine fascist. Will dress it up as 'diplomacy'. They're more likely to listen to their corporate MAGA pals - the Trump lackey Tim Apple - over common people's sentiment towards that c**t.

 

[AndrewCowley]

it is a long long time since U2 took a hardline critical stance on anything. It’s something a lot of people used to connect with them on, and them going soft is I think it’s why a lot people are over them.

People were weirded out watching Bono brown nose the establishment, Republicans politicians in particular, in the 2000’s and beyond.

Other artists take critical stances on issues without all the obvious outward brown nosing.

I get it that Bono consciously switched from being an agitator to a diplomat. I just prefer the agitator version and think it’s better suited to a front man for a rock band.

 

[U2387]

This is quasi political, but doesn't necessarily belong in fym.

But the way things are going - even with a new album? Yea not totally sold we'll be seeing U2 tour in the States next year.

Yeah, without getting too deeply political, I think at minimum, Europe will go first on tour until they figure out what to do with all this madness.

Do they go the Arizona 1987 route? Other artists boycotting the State due to a racist, pre MAGA, MAGA Governor. Bono receiving death threats if the play "Pride."

Response: "That's absurd, we're doing the show, we're playing the song and we're speaking out loud as ever."

Or do they go the Bruce NC bathroom bill mid 2010s route and just say this is all too much, we're staying out entirely for a bit?

 

[dan_smee]

It wouldn’t hurt u2 one bit to tour Europe then RoW before America. For a start, the Sphere residency was great and probably scratched the casual itch for a good few years. Then you get into politics, and I think it’s too hard to ignore the danger and the infection of this current situation into the world beyond the US border. I think Bono has recently spoken about his previous view of working with people you disagree with being ineffective in the current climate and regardless of your views, there’s a situation happening with Trump, ICE, cronyism, post-truthism that is wildly against their values. If they were in their 20s, they’d have told them to bring it on. Approaching their 70s, as grandparents and parents - there is more to be lost than gained. They can’t move the needle. Preaching, love, facts, logic, compassion are all taken as weakness and countered with violence, arrogance, ignorance and abuse.

If you want an outsiders view - U2 never toured North Korea. The anti-democratic control of the state, partisan, evidence-denying leadership of government institutions and ability to convince a large enough cohort of people that whatever the charismatic dictator says is the truth is much closer to North Korea than it is America pre 2016. The world no longer looks at it with wonder or envy. The world is fearful of the chaos, and pities the sensible innocents. Some fights aren’t winnable and shouting at the brick wall isn’t virtuous.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Part of the issue isn't just that they may not want to tour the US, or that there could be a general European boycott. There's also the distinct possibility that the current administration cancels travel visas of those who are critical of the administration.

 

[DeVaul]

For a start, the Sphere residency was great and probably scratched the casual itch for a good few years.

In the US, the casuals and OG lapsed fans filled stadiums for JT30. A small percentage of that traveled to Vegas to spend 2x+ on tickets alongside the international hardcore audience and the “this is new/on social media” lookie loos. For most, it has been 8+ years since they saw U2 play their local venue.

 

[vertigo2025]

U2 have been away from the normal album tour cycle for too long now, 8 years coming up on 9 years. I don't think anything will be stopping a full world tour next year in 2027, except if there are delays with recording and releasing the new album.

 

[Registered Dude]

Maybe it’s quiet for a reason?

 

[Registered Dude]

(I know nothing)

 

[super fly guy]

It's funny that everyone still thinks this next World Cup is happening

Please don't,took Scotland 28 years to qualify again!

 

[dan_smee]

I see U2songs just sent out a reminder to people that they exist and to check socials. Assume that means they are ramping up for something worth announcing? Not saying I believe anything is imminent, but maybe they have some news they don’t think fans will want to miss?

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

I reckon the most likely scenario is a single in the summer (June-August), and September for the album, aligning with the 50th anniversary.

I do still wonder however, if they might play some shows throughout the year, ahead of the September anniversary - a sort of mini-tour. It would make sense to do so if the album is in the bag but can’t be released sooner due to vinyl printing timings - otherwise they’d just be sitting on a finished album and squandering most of what is an incredibly auspicious year for them. And even if it isn’t finished yet, they finished up SoE whilst on the Joshua Tree tour, so they could do something similar here.

These performances (perhaps bolstered with some promo/talk show appearances) could lean heavily on the hits, and put the band back into the public eye by highlighting their strongest work (as with the JT & Sphere shows), but now with the twist of “we’re looking to the future now, so we’re also road testing our mysterious, unannounced new album”. And if all goes well, such performances could win them back some positive publicity throughout the year, wrapping up just in time to unveil a brand new album.

If such a mini-tour did happen, I could see them releasing a single sooner than the summer, ahead of any performances/alongside a tour announcement, to emphasise that these aren’t legacy shows like the JT tour, but are indeed looking to the future. Maybe it wouldn’t be the lead single, but more something akin to Little Things or Blackout, which were released ahead of The Best Thing/the official SoE announcement. Any shows could also preview other new material, like the 2010 360 sets.

If any of the above happens, we could be mere weeks from news, or at least from getting rumours/rumblings/buzz about it (optimistic, I know).

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

On the U2songs post, it does feel kinda telling that they say “2026 is shaping up to be a busy year for all things u2, with strong rumours of new music and new projects” (emphasis mine). The album presumably wouldn’t come out until the end of the year. There’d surely have to be something else planned ahead of that which U2songs has heard about, for them to be anticipating the whole year being busy.

 

[dan_smee]

I think it will be a fascinating year. I can’t see Bono letting the Trump stuff go by without commenting through music. I also can’t see any way they tour the US in the foreseeable future. I also don’t see them releasing a 50th celebration album that is Trump themed.

This may sound insane, but is it POSSIBLE that the recording last year was Larry doing his bits of stuff they’d recorded together for years, done quickly AND a whole heap of writing an angry, protest style record? U2songs post and language is intentional. You’re right the emphasis on “year” and the mention of “new music and new projects” plural. At their age, I just don’t think they have long left, and they have so many fruitful abandoned projects and ideas. Could this actually be the year we get two projects out of them?

 

[JWR1992]

I think this might be the year we get a full studio recording of North Star

 

[Irvine511]

Bono often talks about having a clear thought, a single idea that cuts through. That’s why they are/will be right to capitalize on the 50th anniversary because it gives them the opportunity to put this one clear thought out there: they are the only major band to still be together with the original lineup for 50 years. That’s the organizing principle by which they want the public to think about U2 in 2026. Pushing such a distinction should override all the missteps they’ve made over the years and remind everyone of their inarguable greatness. Not a fan? That’s fine. You can still respect 50 years.

Just please put out a good album.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

This is our new single. It's called America Was An Idea

 

[Registered Dude]

B-side: Orange Chicken (America)

 

[ascender_RS]

Did Bono not mention in one of his interviews over the last while that he has stepped back from being so involved in the political stuff now to focus on the music and he feels he's done his bit? They still comment on stuff, support causes etc but there's clearly a new generation of relevant artists who should be using their voice where they see fit.

Who knows what the current state of the US will do for tour plans from bands outwith the country. I don't know what the impact is for artists in terms of logistics, cost, risk etc or if that's even something a band like U2 need to consider.

 

[Irvine511]

I think there’s no public safety issue in the US when it comes to, you know, holding concerts, at least at the moment. Things are a mess, sure, but most people’s day-to-day is largely unaffected, and life goes on. The Super Bowl will happen, etc.

Whether they want to or not is a different story, but I would hope they’d rather engage than boycott, and I think they would too. They didn’t cancel after 9/11, why would they now? I know people found e/I underwhelming during the US leg, and while it wasn’t as good as I/e, I found it fairly politically charged and potent. I wanted to punch Nazis afterwards.

Maybe they can harness this energy.

 

[Registered Dude]

I wonder if the things they'd like to say put them (or their audience) at risk

 

[DeVaul]

I wonder if the things they'd like to say put them (or their audience) at risk

You aren’t referring to the right wing boomers who can’t believe U2 are suddenly a political band all having heart attacks?

If I had my way, they’d re-release Native Son as a digital single to raise money/awareness for this absolute disaster.

 

[Rich79]

I think there’s no public safety issue in the US when it comes to, you know, holding concerts, at least at the moment. Things are a mess, sure, but most people’s day-to-day is largely unaffected, and life goes on. The Super Bowl will happen, etc.

Whether they want to or not is a different story, but I would hope they’d rather engage than boycott, and I think they would too. They didn’t cancel after 9/11, why would they now? I know people found e/I underwhelming during the US leg, and while it wasn’t as good as I/e, I found it fairly politically charged and potent. I wanted to punch Nazis afterwards.

Maybe they can harness this energy.

This is pretty much where I am with it, too.

At the very least, it may be a limited-run of "coincidentally blue" cities with multiple dates in each kind of thing but with Europe first so that there's time to see how things shake out after the midterms (yes, I think they'll happen, but that's a discussion for another thread) in case there's some dramatic new **** unleashed afterward that merits them canceling it, but I sure don't see them taking it off the table as an option or even a probability at this point.

I think it will be a fascinating year. I can’t see Bono letting the Trump stuff go by without commenting through music. I also can’t see any way they tour the US in the foreseeable future. I also don’t see them releasing a 50th celebration album that is Trump themed.

I don't think the album itself will be centered around A Celebration (see what I went for there), just the timing of it and it'll be themed whatever they deemed appropriate. Again, I'm one of those naysayers that doesn't expect it to have a very cohesive theme (sonically or lyrically) given 3.5 out of the last 4 albums, but I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

 

[PookaMacP]

They didn’t cancel after 9/11, why would they now?

I take your broader point, but these are entirely different contexts. Post-9/11 the world was standing in solidarity with the US. Now, touring the US will be inherently political, no matter what happens: acts will have to be either outwardly against the regime or saying nothing, which is effectively complying with the regime.

 

[U2387]

As Rich79 said above, I think the most likely (and sensible) scenario is to do a few road test shows in the big US centers of U2 fandom. Which, surprise, surprise, happen to be the big blue cities. Maybe go see Carney up in Canada for a few shows- Toronto and Montreal when you're hitting the east coast. Vancouver after you've run through LA, SF and Seattle.

Then hit Europe/ROW to start the big tour. Makes political sense and kind of makes sense given the US focused JT 30 and US exclusive Sphere.

I don't think anyone for a second believes they'll let the political moment go unaddressed in any US show of any size or shape. We know this band. LOL. They are clear eyed but surely not afraid of the people that make up this regime.

However, it's definitely prudent to take a back seat to others re: activism (for many reasons) and to see how the midterms shake out.

Which I also believe 100% are happening, though efforts will be made to interfere.

As was also stated up thread, these guys have a lot to lose now! Of course, it's not likely that harm comes their way, but it's sadly an exponentially greater possibility now than it was Pre 2016 or even during Trump's first term.

It's not "comfortable old rich white guys, of course they don't care......" or whatever else you might hear from the far left types- it's hard reality that they have families and lives and far more days behind them than ahead of them.

Benefit/burden of going balls to the walls political, this band, in these times, I wouldn't fault their analysis.

They don't have the cultural relevance anymore and there's signs they're coming around to that.

I think if they thought they'd move the needle, they'd be all over this. Bono especially as we know. That was the calculation with AIDS and global poverty and there's solid facts supporting the case that his work did move the needle. It was worth it- whatever the criticism or backlash or questions over his motivations.

Either way, it's going to be easy to figure out if we're getting something very soon! If it's this quiet through the end of March, there's our answer. Unfortunately.

I don't believe it will be, though. We will hear from them, and whatever it is, I'll enjoy the ride as best I can.