So Steve Lillywhite has just confirmed on TalkTV (UK right wing trash news) that U2 are not touring next year because Oasis are. Last time Oasis were around they were touring in a summer that included both U2 and Coldplay. So is that genuine, or is it an excuse to let Larry have more recovery time, or do they genuinely worry in a market with Oasis and Coldplay (who are seemingly selling out stadiums every single year now with no let up) having unrelenting demand, they worry they'll be an afterthought following these bands? If the latter, it's their own fault.
They're not nearly accessible enough, touring your best album in one pricey sphere isn't a good look, going to watch a video of that concert in the same venue hardly screams trendy, limiting exclusives only for fan club members does nothing for legacy, they are very selective with who they talk to in the media, they never do festivals, and their latter albums always sell out to tacky big budget industry songwriters and prove a damp squib to everyone. They are, in short, elitist.
Everything comes with a ridiculous cost. As businessmen, they are fantastic. At securing their legacy, and as 'artists' at the moment, they are woeful.