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BonoFox1
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^Is B-man wearing guyliner again?? 
can't really tell
can't really tell
PLEBAn Misc U2 News and Articles #1
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The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
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lauramullen
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It doesn't look like it, but it is hard to tell
Lila64
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http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...ppearing-on-stage-to-support-Cat-Stevens.html
I’VE been to some gigs where the support act hasn’t been up to much.
But YUSUF, aka CAT STEVENS, had a little Irish act called U2 under him on the bill at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London last night.
The rock legends stunned the crowd when they bowled on stage to play a rare acoustic set at the Island Records’ 50th anniversary show.
BONO sang U2 hits One and Vertigo before Yusuf joined the band for a cover of BOB MARLEY’s One Love.
Yusuf’s set showcased new tracks from his album Roadsinger alongside classic hits from his back catalogue.
Dad rock at its best.
I’VE been to some gigs where the support act hasn’t been up to much.
But YUSUF, aka CAT STEVENS, had a little Irish act called U2 under him on the bill at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London last night.
The rock legends stunned the crowd when they bowled on stage to play a rare acoustic set at the Island Records’ 50th anniversary show.
BONO sang U2 hits One and Vertigo before Yusuf joined the band for a cover of BOB MARLEY’s One Love.
Yusuf’s set showcased new tracks from his album Roadsinger alongside classic hits from his back catalogue.
Dad rock at its best.
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BonoFox1
Blue Crack Supplier
From U2.com
U2 joined Senegalese artist Baaba Maal on stage tonight as part of London's celebrations for Island 50.
Baaba and Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) were sharing the bill at Shepherd's Bush Empire. The band joined Baaba Maal for a version of U2's 0ne to the surprise of the sold out crowd.
Introducing U2 Baaba said, "I have a friend a brother who really takes care of everything. We share the respect of Nelson Mandela's vision. We need people to understand. We didn't make it yet but we are on the way. As we continue fighting poverty especially on the continent of Africa".
As Bono. The Edge, Larry and Adam joined onstage.
The room was a glow with phones in the air as the crowd took pictures of this crazy moment. And then they started with a rousing chorus of One Love by Bob Marley.
Baaba Maal left the stage before U2 continued with a semi acoustic version of Vertigo. Chris Blackwell is in the room looking happy with the preceedings and gets a shout out from Bono.
Chris once said to me "all of this can be yours, all of this can be yours... Just give me what I want and no one gets hurt."
They throw in a few lyrics of peace train for good measure... And then its half time
Bono later appeared on stage to introduce and welcome Yusuf Islam
I googled and found more pics on this event POsted in the Misc thread!
Bonogirl777
Blue Crack Addict
^Is B-man wearing guyliner again??
can't really tell
Yup, he is.
Edit: Wait, maybe he's not...I don't know!
lauramullen
Blue Crack Distributor
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2002
- Messages
- 52,111
U2 manager: 'Ultimately free is the enemy of good'
CNET News, May 28, 2009
Greg Sandoval
Paul McGuinness, manager of the iconic band U2, sees stronger copyright laws in France, the Pirate Bay on trial, U.S.-based Internet service providers doing more to protect music, and still he isn't satisfied.
In January 2008, McGuinness delivered a speech that would become a call to arms on both sides of the free-content debate. During his address to attendees of the Midem music conference, the largest recording industry trade show, McGuinness lashed out at the "hippy values" of technologists, accused ISPs of profiting "on the back" of music creators, called the Digital Millennium Copyright Act a "thieves charter" and criticized the big record companies for a "lack of foresight."
Last year, Paul McGuinness, stuck one of the world's most popular and beloved rock bands almost dead into the center of the debate over piracy, copyright, and the role of Internet service providers in protecting music and movies from illegal file sharing. The fallout and criticism, much of which came from technologists and proponents of free content, hasn't shaken McGuinness from his views. In an interview with CNET News, McGuinness once again was critical of ISPs, calling some of their recent piracy-prevention efforts insincere and "illusory."
A year after McGuinness' speech, France this month adopted a "three strikes law," which calls for ISPs to suspend a subscriber's service if they are accused three times of pirating copyright material. Here in the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America promised in December that a group of ISPs had agreed to help the music industry protect content. Some ISPs already had adopted strict enforcement procedures and others have started testing "graduated responses." Still, six months later, no major broadband provider acknowledges working with the RIAA.
Question: What kind of impact did your Midem speech have?
McGuinness: Well, I suppose I had become over the years alarmed by the decline in the traditional music industry and I suppose to some extent that is typical of me or a characteristic of mine that I will freely confess very much part of my own business thinking that the giant music corporations were there to be infiltrated and worked with rather than against.
Our own record with Island Records, which was eventually acquired by Polygram, and then acquired by Universal, gave us the opportunity to break U2 worldwide. Island in the early days had 19 different licensees around the world and we were still able to take the Joshua Tree album in 1987, take that to No. 1 in many countries, as many as 30. So the record company was not the enemy. It was there to be worked with. These extraordinary marketing and distribution machines were there to be utilized -- if they would let you get your hands on their controls. That I suppose is what you try to ensure when you make your deal and when you make your deal and improve it over the years. That is certainly what we did with U2. So, we never felt victimized by the industry. I know there have been many casualties along the way and there have been people who made bad deals.
But we never really saw ourselves as victims. We improved our commercial terms with our publishers and record company over the years and we've ended up in a situation where there is no sense of unfairness. In fact, there is a strong sense of partnership, which I know is unusual. U2 owns the masters of every song they ever recorded and copyright of every song they ever wrote. I know U2 is an unusual situation, but it's not impossible to get yourself into that sort of a situation. So, the industry has my support if you like. Not in all its manifestations. I think it has made several massive strategic mistakes over the years, certainly with regard to the Internet, but I don't hate them.
Give us an update of where in your view the ISPs have changed?
Some of the progress has been illusory. The ISPs as a group make the noises that they are required to make when it comes to what is politically necessary or when there is a scare, say for instance, something about security or pornography or pedophilia on the Internet. That is when you will see a rapid reaction from the ISPs to defend themselves against any kind of legislation or intervention or monitoring. I'm not sure it's a sincere reaction very often because I think the ISPs, if you take them as a group, have for many years been much more interested in selling broadband subscriptions around the world than they have in doing what is right.
What I think is right for them and indeed the content makers, and that would include newspapers, book authors, movie makers, music makers, sports teams, the people who make the free content that ISPs are pumping through their pipes, deserve to be recompensed. Realistically the only way they are going to be recompensed is in partnership with ISPs who after are collecting revenues from their subscribers.
And I think the tipping point is occurring round about now. Perhaps broadband subscription sales are saturated in many territories and the ISPs are belatedly but realistically now turning to building revenue collection businesses with the content owners. I just hope it's not too late.
Sometimes when we were discussing these matters, we would talk of who in the world could make the greatest change to this environment and the way people think about this. We frequently came back to Rupert Murdoch. He's is, of course, in the sports business. He is in the movie business. He is in the print content business. He's a content maker and distributor of enormous significance. I thought that it was very interesting that he recently predicted that print content would have to be paid for in the future and the advertising-supported model could now be described as a failure. That was a big tipping point as well. I think that speech of his or declaration was of enormous significance.
I suppose I hope it was a warning, a red light for the ISPs because I do not think they've been sincere in their attempts to work with governments or content owners to date. I think they could have done an awful lot more. All they have to do currently is make the right noises and things go on as before. But will it be too late? I know there are legislative events taking place in France and signs of them in other countries.
The Pirate Bay case is of enormous significance, because there you had some very murky individuals hiding behind these sort of hippy types who front Pirate Bay. But the businessmen behind them have a very sort of shady commercial and political background. So, I think I'd love to see it made coherent, but of course the Internet is International.
It's possible to locate a Pirate Bay-type operation in any part of the world. I think if copyright is to continue and to provide one of the basic building blocks of civilization, and I don't think that's putting it too strongly, there will have to be some sort of willing International support for creative people. And I use a very wide description of what creativity is. I include a football team, which used to fund part of their activities by selling their rights in Southeast Asia. The European football leagues are now available on the Internet when they used to sell those rights on TV.
People would tell me stuff over the last couple of years about the level of cynicism that perhaps exists with the ISPs industry. I'm sure you know what (Deep Packet Inspection) is. When it sometimes is said that it's impossible to get under the hood of the Internet, that is not true. It's taking place on a massive scale anyway for other purposes and for it to take place in order to reward creative people I think would be perfectly possible. But will it happen?
Are we doomed to a future of bad demos and reality TV shows. That's the way the graph is descending.
Do you think ISPs are the last hope of copyright protection?
I think so, yes. Well, the ISPs and indeed, their airborne, their satellite equivalents. I think they bare a huge responsibility to put things right. They ought to want content and they ought to be taking responsibility for making sure that it occurs and it is renumerated.
Do you appreciate what Radiohead and Trent Reznor are doing, trying to find a new paradigm?
I admire what Radiohead have done tremendously in seeking a new model. They would take the view, and I would share it, that perhaps price has been a big problem for the music business. The music business has tried to hold onto a price that was unrealistic for a long time now. I think wider distribution of lower priced things is probably the future.
The feeling in the free-music community is that musicians have profited for a long time. What do you say to the person who says U2 has made plenty of money so why are you complaining?
That's true of U2. It's always very difficult for me to make the case for what's right and wrong because people just say: 'Well, U2 don't need any more money.' That's true, but I am talking about the right and wrong of it here because even though we have the biggest touring attraction in the world, that's not true for everyone.
One of the reasons we have a worldwide audience is that we were able usually have the biggest touring attraction, but that's not true for everyone. It's important to remember that the traditional worldwide star-making functions of the big record companies. There's nothing on the horizon to replace that.
That was what I was we always interested in personally as a businessman and manager. We as a band U2 were excited about the idea of being big all over the world. We freely admit that. I don't know how people will do that in the future. I think the universality of pop music that we've become used to in the last few decades that's in danger. There is, of course, local repertoires, music in every part of the world. I'm not a mad imperialist.
I'm not trying to get everyone to listen to the same kind of music, but the Beatles caught the imagination of nearly everyone in the world. So did Elvis. There have been a few other examples, like U2. I'd hate to see that stop happening.
What do you see as the role of technology? What would you say to technologists who are interested in digital music?
I would really like them to willingly go to the movie studios and the music companies and say this is how we can collect money from the people who are listening to your stuff and watching your movies. We acknowledge that it's the fair thing to do and we have some responsibility for doing it. Let's do it together and let's make some money. I've heard the estimates that half of traffic across the Internet is technically illegal non-paid-for content. That can't go on. It's such a waste. Future generations of artists will face a vacuum where payment used to be. Artists are entitled to get paid, whatever kind of art they do, the same way technologists are entitled to get paid.
But if the technology you develop prevents artists from being renumerated then there's something wrong with it. I'd like to get a moral tone into the discussion. I think there is a big moral question for civilization. It's not good enough to say that the Internet is free to all and there should be no restrictions on its use. I had the experience last year of making a speech to a group of (Members of European Parliament) in Brussels and they were very hostile to the idea of any kind of monitoring or regulation of the Internet, which they regarded as the precursor to a form of taxation. And of course, as politicians, they were against any kind of increased taxation. But it's not taxation. It's paying for something that people are consuming.
One official in Brussels, a senior Brussels civil servant, came up to me after I made the speech. I was there with a small group of lobbyists and he said to me 'In Brussels there are probably five or six lobbyists representing the content worldwide. There are thousands representing the ISPs, telcos and the technology industries.' He said it's really overwhelming the forces you have against you.
I started to glimpse the politics of it at that stage. I hope that our politicians, our journalists our media gain a sense of how much we stand to lose if free prevails. Ultimately free is the enemy of good.
CNET News, May 28, 2009
Greg Sandoval
Paul McGuinness, manager of the iconic band U2, sees stronger copyright laws in France, the Pirate Bay on trial, U.S.-based Internet service providers doing more to protect music, and still he isn't satisfied.
In January 2008, McGuinness delivered a speech that would become a call to arms on both sides of the free-content debate. During his address to attendees of the Midem music conference, the largest recording industry trade show, McGuinness lashed out at the "hippy values" of technologists, accused ISPs of profiting "on the back" of music creators, called the Digital Millennium Copyright Act a "thieves charter" and criticized the big record companies for a "lack of foresight."
Last year, Paul McGuinness, stuck one of the world's most popular and beloved rock bands almost dead into the center of the debate over piracy, copyright, and the role of Internet service providers in protecting music and movies from illegal file sharing. The fallout and criticism, much of which came from technologists and proponents of free content, hasn't shaken McGuinness from his views. In an interview with CNET News, McGuinness once again was critical of ISPs, calling some of their recent piracy-prevention efforts insincere and "illusory."
A year after McGuinness' speech, France this month adopted a "three strikes law," which calls for ISPs to suspend a subscriber's service if they are accused three times of pirating copyright material. Here in the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America promised in December that a group of ISPs had agreed to help the music industry protect content. Some ISPs already had adopted strict enforcement procedures and others have started testing "graduated responses." Still, six months later, no major broadband provider acknowledges working with the RIAA.
Question: What kind of impact did your Midem speech have?
McGuinness: Well, I suppose I had become over the years alarmed by the decline in the traditional music industry and I suppose to some extent that is typical of me or a characteristic of mine that I will freely confess very much part of my own business thinking that the giant music corporations were there to be infiltrated and worked with rather than against.
Our own record with Island Records, which was eventually acquired by Polygram, and then acquired by Universal, gave us the opportunity to break U2 worldwide. Island in the early days had 19 different licensees around the world and we were still able to take the Joshua Tree album in 1987, take that to No. 1 in many countries, as many as 30. So the record company was not the enemy. It was there to be worked with. These extraordinary marketing and distribution machines were there to be utilized -- if they would let you get your hands on their controls. That I suppose is what you try to ensure when you make your deal and when you make your deal and improve it over the years. That is certainly what we did with U2. So, we never felt victimized by the industry. I know there have been many casualties along the way and there have been people who made bad deals.
But we never really saw ourselves as victims. We improved our commercial terms with our publishers and record company over the years and we've ended up in a situation where there is no sense of unfairness. In fact, there is a strong sense of partnership, which I know is unusual. U2 owns the masters of every song they ever recorded and copyright of every song they ever wrote. I know U2 is an unusual situation, but it's not impossible to get yourself into that sort of a situation. So, the industry has my support if you like. Not in all its manifestations. I think it has made several massive strategic mistakes over the years, certainly with regard to the Internet, but I don't hate them.
Give us an update of where in your view the ISPs have changed?
Some of the progress has been illusory. The ISPs as a group make the noises that they are required to make when it comes to what is politically necessary or when there is a scare, say for instance, something about security or pornography or pedophilia on the Internet. That is when you will see a rapid reaction from the ISPs to defend themselves against any kind of legislation or intervention or monitoring. I'm not sure it's a sincere reaction very often because I think the ISPs, if you take them as a group, have for many years been much more interested in selling broadband subscriptions around the world than they have in doing what is right.
What I think is right for them and indeed the content makers, and that would include newspapers, book authors, movie makers, music makers, sports teams, the people who make the free content that ISPs are pumping through their pipes, deserve to be recompensed. Realistically the only way they are going to be recompensed is in partnership with ISPs who after are collecting revenues from their subscribers.
And I think the tipping point is occurring round about now. Perhaps broadband subscription sales are saturated in many territories and the ISPs are belatedly but realistically now turning to building revenue collection businesses with the content owners. I just hope it's not too late.
Sometimes when we were discussing these matters, we would talk of who in the world could make the greatest change to this environment and the way people think about this. We frequently came back to Rupert Murdoch. He's is, of course, in the sports business. He is in the movie business. He is in the print content business. He's a content maker and distributor of enormous significance. I thought that it was very interesting that he recently predicted that print content would have to be paid for in the future and the advertising-supported model could now be described as a failure. That was a big tipping point as well. I think that speech of his or declaration was of enormous significance.
I suppose I hope it was a warning, a red light for the ISPs because I do not think they've been sincere in their attempts to work with governments or content owners to date. I think they could have done an awful lot more. All they have to do currently is make the right noises and things go on as before. But will it be too late? I know there are legislative events taking place in France and signs of them in other countries.
The Pirate Bay case is of enormous significance, because there you had some very murky individuals hiding behind these sort of hippy types who front Pirate Bay. But the businessmen behind them have a very sort of shady commercial and political background. So, I think I'd love to see it made coherent, but of course the Internet is International.
It's possible to locate a Pirate Bay-type operation in any part of the world. I think if copyright is to continue and to provide one of the basic building blocks of civilization, and I don't think that's putting it too strongly, there will have to be some sort of willing International support for creative people. And I use a very wide description of what creativity is. I include a football team, which used to fund part of their activities by selling their rights in Southeast Asia. The European football leagues are now available on the Internet when they used to sell those rights on TV.
People would tell me stuff over the last couple of years about the level of cynicism that perhaps exists with the ISPs industry. I'm sure you know what (Deep Packet Inspection) is. When it sometimes is said that it's impossible to get under the hood of the Internet, that is not true. It's taking place on a massive scale anyway for other purposes and for it to take place in order to reward creative people I think would be perfectly possible. But will it happen?
Are we doomed to a future of bad demos and reality TV shows. That's the way the graph is descending.
Do you think ISPs are the last hope of copyright protection?
I think so, yes. Well, the ISPs and indeed, their airborne, their satellite equivalents. I think they bare a huge responsibility to put things right. They ought to want content and they ought to be taking responsibility for making sure that it occurs and it is renumerated.
Do you appreciate what Radiohead and Trent Reznor are doing, trying to find a new paradigm?
I admire what Radiohead have done tremendously in seeking a new model. They would take the view, and I would share it, that perhaps price has been a big problem for the music business. The music business has tried to hold onto a price that was unrealistic for a long time now. I think wider distribution of lower priced things is probably the future.
The feeling in the free-music community is that musicians have profited for a long time. What do you say to the person who says U2 has made plenty of money so why are you complaining?
That's true of U2. It's always very difficult for me to make the case for what's right and wrong because people just say: 'Well, U2 don't need any more money.' That's true, but I am talking about the right and wrong of it here because even though we have the biggest touring attraction in the world, that's not true for everyone.
One of the reasons we have a worldwide audience is that we were able usually have the biggest touring attraction, but that's not true for everyone. It's important to remember that the traditional worldwide star-making functions of the big record companies. There's nothing on the horizon to replace that.
That was what I was we always interested in personally as a businessman and manager. We as a band U2 were excited about the idea of being big all over the world. We freely admit that. I don't know how people will do that in the future. I think the universality of pop music that we've become used to in the last few decades that's in danger. There is, of course, local repertoires, music in every part of the world. I'm not a mad imperialist.
I'm not trying to get everyone to listen to the same kind of music, but the Beatles caught the imagination of nearly everyone in the world. So did Elvis. There have been a few other examples, like U2. I'd hate to see that stop happening.
What do you see as the role of technology? What would you say to technologists who are interested in digital music?
I would really like them to willingly go to the movie studios and the music companies and say this is how we can collect money from the people who are listening to your stuff and watching your movies. We acknowledge that it's the fair thing to do and we have some responsibility for doing it. Let's do it together and let's make some money. I've heard the estimates that half of traffic across the Internet is technically illegal non-paid-for content. That can't go on. It's such a waste. Future generations of artists will face a vacuum where payment used to be. Artists are entitled to get paid, whatever kind of art they do, the same way technologists are entitled to get paid.
But if the technology you develop prevents artists from being renumerated then there's something wrong with it. I'd like to get a moral tone into the discussion. I think there is a big moral question for civilization. It's not good enough to say that the Internet is free to all and there should be no restrictions on its use. I had the experience last year of making a speech to a group of (Members of European Parliament) in Brussels and they were very hostile to the idea of any kind of monitoring or regulation of the Internet, which they regarded as the precursor to a form of taxation. And of course, as politicians, they were against any kind of increased taxation. But it's not taxation. It's paying for something that people are consuming.
One official in Brussels, a senior Brussels civil servant, came up to me after I made the speech. I was there with a small group of lobbyists and he said to me 'In Brussels there are probably five or six lobbyists representing the content worldwide. There are thousands representing the ISPs, telcos and the technology industries.' He said it's really overwhelming the forces you have against you.
I started to glimpse the politics of it at that stage. I hope that our politicians, our journalists our media gain a sense of how much we stand to lose if free prevails. Ultimately free is the enemy of good.
OP
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BonoFox1
Blue Crack Supplier
U2 Manager: Free Is The Enemy Of Good; And It's Moral To Protect Old Business Models
from the morality-has-nothing-to-do-with-it dept
While Radiohead's manager has noted that file sharing is great for music and should be legal, it appears that his counterpart, Paul McGuinness, is sticking to his guns that it's evil, evil, evil... and it's all those darn ISPs' fault. He kicked this off over a year ago when he gave a speech blaming everyone but the recording industry for the industry's problems. You see, the problem was that ISPs, Google, Apple, Microsoft and Facebook weren't coming up with ways of just giving the record labels money. Apparently McGuinness has such a sense of entitlement that he thinks it's everyone else's responsibility to fix his broken business model. Since that time, he's continued to stand by this position even claiming that no other business models were possible other than having ISPs hand over money to any content creator.
In a new interview with News.com's Greg Sandoval, he stands by this position, even when Sandoval asks him about the examples of Radiohead and Trent Reznor. McGuinness totally ignores Trent Reznor -- which is too bad, since his business model experiments are a lot more complete and well thought out than Radiohead's little experiment -- and simply says:
I admire what Radiohead have done tremendously in seeking a new model. They would take the view, and I would share it, that perhaps price has been a big problem for the music business. The music business has tried to hold onto a price that was unrealistic for a long time now. I think wider distribution of lower priced things is probably the future.
But that didn't answer the question. He says Radiohead is "seeking" a new model... ignoring that they found one and that it worked amazingly well, without requiring an ISP tax. I'm wondering if he's simply ignorant of Trent Reznor's wide-ranging experiments.
But from there, he starts saying a bunch of questionable things, including the claim that we somehow need big record labels:
It's important to remember that the traditional worldwide star-making functions of the big record companies. There's nothing on the horizon to replace that.
Oh really? Has he not been on the internet? It's true that so far nothing has been able to totally replace big record labels' marketing clout, but there are plenty of interesting new services and tools out there that are quickly improving and quickly changing the marketing equation. To claim that there's "nothing on the horizon" simply suggests he hasn't been looking at the horizon very closely. If he wants a pair of binoculars, he should call us and we'll ship him a pair and even point him in the right direction of where to look.
Amusingly, when asked about the role of new technologies, McGuiness again displays his ignorance of technology. He doesn't discuss how it's made it much cheaper to perform, record, promote, distribute and share music. Instead, he only focuses on one thing: how can tech companies give bands money:
I would really like them to willingly go to the movie studios and the music companies and say this is how we can collect money from the people who are listening to your stuff and watching your movies. We acknowledge that it's the fair thing to do and we have some responsibility for doing it. Let's do it together and let's make some money.
How about he goes to those companies and explains why he isn't paying them for decreasing the costs of recording, promoting and distributing U2's music... all of which has helped to keep the band in the headlines, selling out concerts allowing them to bring in hundreds of millions. Earlier this year, we noted that Bono had said he was upset about piracy but didn't want to complain because he was too rich. Apparently McGuinness refuses to recognize that part of what helped make them all so rich were these tools that help promote and distribute U2's music for free.
And then, of course, he pulls out the old myth: that this somehow removes money from the hands of artists:
Artists are entitled to get paid, whatever kind of art they do, the same way technologists are entitled to get paid.
You know how technologists get paid? It's not because of any entitlement... but because they build a product with a business model that makes sense. There's no entitlement. There's simply setting up a business model that makes sense. And it works for musicians too -- big, medium and small.
And then he turns it into a "moral" issue:
I'd like to get a moral tone into the discussion. I think there is a big moral question for civilization.
To which there's an obvious response: where is the moral question when embracing these trends is making artists better off? All if the artists we've seen who have embraced these trends and smart business models finds themselves better off than they were before.
And then, amazingly, he tries to claim that the copyright lobbyists are simply outnumbered and out-gunned.
One official in Brussels, a senior Brussels civil servant, came up to me after I made the speech. I was there with a small group of lobbyists and he said to me 'In Brussels there are probably five or six lobbyists representing the content worldwide. There are thousands representing the ISPs, telcos and the technology industries.' He said it's really overwhelming the forces you have against you.
Basically, that civil servant lied. The entertainment industry has more lobbyists on this issue than anyone on the "other" side. And he makes it out as if all the ISPs are against him -- but some of the biggest, including AT&T are in agreement with the entertainment industry lobbyists. There are very few lobbyists (and they have much smaller budgets) fighting for the rights of consumers.
And then there's one final attack on "free" spoken from a position of supreme ignorance of how "free" works:
I started to glimpse the politics of it at that stage. I hope that our politicians, our journalists our media gain a sense of how much we stand to lose if free prevails. Ultimately free is the enemy of good.
What do we stand to lose? Restriction on how we can use products we legally purchased? Artificial restrictions on the enjoyment of content? New and wonderful business models that allow actual content creators to benefit, rather than siphoning money off to middlemen? Free is not the enemy of good. Free is a tool that, when used properly, has tremendous advantages. Many have already figured this out. The fact that McGuinness seems unable to do so isn't everyone else's problem. It's his problem.
U2 Manager: Free Is The Enemy Of Good; And It's Moral To Protect Old Business Models | Techdirt
from the morality-has-nothing-to-do-with-it dept
While Radiohead's manager has noted that file sharing is great for music and should be legal, it appears that his counterpart, Paul McGuinness, is sticking to his guns that it's evil, evil, evil... and it's all those darn ISPs' fault. He kicked this off over a year ago when he gave a speech blaming everyone but the recording industry for the industry's problems. You see, the problem was that ISPs, Google, Apple, Microsoft and Facebook weren't coming up with ways of just giving the record labels money. Apparently McGuinness has such a sense of entitlement that he thinks it's everyone else's responsibility to fix his broken business model. Since that time, he's continued to stand by this position even claiming that no other business models were possible other than having ISPs hand over money to any content creator.
In a new interview with News.com's Greg Sandoval, he stands by this position, even when Sandoval asks him about the examples of Radiohead and Trent Reznor. McGuinness totally ignores Trent Reznor -- which is too bad, since his business model experiments are a lot more complete and well thought out than Radiohead's little experiment -- and simply says:
I admire what Radiohead have done tremendously in seeking a new model. They would take the view, and I would share it, that perhaps price has been a big problem for the music business. The music business has tried to hold onto a price that was unrealistic for a long time now. I think wider distribution of lower priced things is probably the future.
But that didn't answer the question. He says Radiohead is "seeking" a new model... ignoring that they found one and that it worked amazingly well, without requiring an ISP tax. I'm wondering if he's simply ignorant of Trent Reznor's wide-ranging experiments.
But from there, he starts saying a bunch of questionable things, including the claim that we somehow need big record labels:
It's important to remember that the traditional worldwide star-making functions of the big record companies. There's nothing on the horizon to replace that.
Oh really? Has he not been on the internet? It's true that so far nothing has been able to totally replace big record labels' marketing clout, but there are plenty of interesting new services and tools out there that are quickly improving and quickly changing the marketing equation. To claim that there's "nothing on the horizon" simply suggests he hasn't been looking at the horizon very closely. If he wants a pair of binoculars, he should call us and we'll ship him a pair and even point him in the right direction of where to look.
Amusingly, when asked about the role of new technologies, McGuiness again displays his ignorance of technology. He doesn't discuss how it's made it much cheaper to perform, record, promote, distribute and share music. Instead, he only focuses on one thing: how can tech companies give bands money:
I would really like them to willingly go to the movie studios and the music companies and say this is how we can collect money from the people who are listening to your stuff and watching your movies. We acknowledge that it's the fair thing to do and we have some responsibility for doing it. Let's do it together and let's make some money.
How about he goes to those companies and explains why he isn't paying them for decreasing the costs of recording, promoting and distributing U2's music... all of which has helped to keep the band in the headlines, selling out concerts allowing them to bring in hundreds of millions. Earlier this year, we noted that Bono had said he was upset about piracy but didn't want to complain because he was too rich. Apparently McGuinness refuses to recognize that part of what helped make them all so rich were these tools that help promote and distribute U2's music for free.
And then, of course, he pulls out the old myth: that this somehow removes money from the hands of artists:
Artists are entitled to get paid, whatever kind of art they do, the same way technologists are entitled to get paid.
You know how technologists get paid? It's not because of any entitlement... but because they build a product with a business model that makes sense. There's no entitlement. There's simply setting up a business model that makes sense. And it works for musicians too -- big, medium and small.
And then he turns it into a "moral" issue:
I'd like to get a moral tone into the discussion. I think there is a big moral question for civilization.
To which there's an obvious response: where is the moral question when embracing these trends is making artists better off? All if the artists we've seen who have embraced these trends and smart business models finds themselves better off than they were before.
And then, amazingly, he tries to claim that the copyright lobbyists are simply outnumbered and out-gunned.
One official in Brussels, a senior Brussels civil servant, came up to me after I made the speech. I was there with a small group of lobbyists and he said to me 'In Brussels there are probably five or six lobbyists representing the content worldwide. There are thousands representing the ISPs, telcos and the technology industries.' He said it's really overwhelming the forces you have against you.
Basically, that civil servant lied. The entertainment industry has more lobbyists on this issue than anyone on the "other" side. And he makes it out as if all the ISPs are against him -- but some of the biggest, including AT&T are in agreement with the entertainment industry lobbyists. There are very few lobbyists (and they have much smaller budgets) fighting for the rights of consumers.
And then there's one final attack on "free" spoken from a position of supreme ignorance of how "free" works:
I started to glimpse the politics of it at that stage. I hope that our politicians, our journalists our media gain a sense of how much we stand to lose if free prevails. Ultimately free is the enemy of good.
What do we stand to lose? Restriction on how we can use products we legally purchased? Artificial restrictions on the enjoyment of content? New and wonderful business models that allow actual content creators to benefit, rather than siphoning money off to middlemen? Free is not the enemy of good. Free is a tool that, when used properly, has tremendous advantages. Many have already figured this out. The fact that McGuinness seems unable to do so isn't everyone else's problem. It's his problem.
U2 Manager: Free Is The Enemy Of Good; And It's Moral To Protect Old Business Models | Techdirt
lauramullen
Blue Crack Distributor
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- Aug 9, 2002
- Messages
- 52,111
Bono Speaks Bulgarian to Support Green Initiative
May 31, 2009
Paul David Hewson, the famous vocalist of U2, most commonly known by
his stage name Bono, will speak Bulgarian tonight at the awarding
ceremony of BG Radio in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture
(NPC). The singer who often joins social initiatives will address the
audience in a video clip in support of an environment protection
project. Bono will say in Bulgarian: "Pure Bulgarian music for pure
Bulgarian nature."
Footballer Dimitar Berbatov will receive a prize for being Bulgaria?s
ambassador of good will during the eighth in a row BG Radio awarding
ceremony.
May 31, 2009
Paul David Hewson, the famous vocalist of U2, most commonly known by
his stage name Bono, will speak Bulgarian tonight at the awarding
ceremony of BG Radio in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture
(NPC). The singer who often joins social initiatives will address the
audience in a video clip in support of an environment protection
project. Bono will say in Bulgarian: "Pure Bulgarian music for pure
Bulgarian nature."
Footballer Dimitar Berbatov will receive a prize for being Bulgaria?s
ambassador of good will during the eighth in a row BG Radio awarding
ceremony.
lauramullen
Blue Crack Distributor
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2002
- Messages
- 52,111
Gates fits the Bill as Bono's BF bar none
By Barry Egan
Sunday May 31 2009
The rich are different from us. Yes, they have more money. But they
can also spend Friday afternoons shooting the breeze in the bar of the
Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin's Stephen's Green.
Bono was in The Horseshoe on Friday afternoon, with his billionaire
BF, Bill Gates, where they were both enjoying a pint of Guinness. He
obviously has a thing for wealthy, powerful Americans called Bill.
(Hey -- Bono, Bill & Bill sounds like a Seventies supergroup to me.)
The U2 star and the American mogul were deep in conversation for about
an hour and a half at the singer's usual corner table of the famous bar.
How do I know this? Because I was at a nearby table shooting the
breeze with the no-less-powerful Virginia Macari. Bill was not staying
in the hotel. He was either staying in Bono's hotel, The Clarence, or
in a private residence.
United by their shared interest in things philanthropic (and Arthur G
presumably), Bono and Bill held marvellous court in a two-potentates-
together aren't-we-swell kind of way. Glad somebody can.
- Barry Egan
By Barry Egan
Sunday May 31 2009
The rich are different from us. Yes, they have more money. But they
can also spend Friday afternoons shooting the breeze in the bar of the
Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin's Stephen's Green.
Bono was in The Horseshoe on Friday afternoon, with his billionaire
BF, Bill Gates, where they were both enjoying a pint of Guinness. He
obviously has a thing for wealthy, powerful Americans called Bill.
(Hey -- Bono, Bill & Bill sounds like a Seventies supergroup to me.)
The U2 star and the American mogul were deep in conversation for about
an hour and a half at the singer's usual corner table of the famous bar.
How do I know this? Because I was at a nearby table shooting the
breeze with the no-less-powerful Virginia Macari. Bill was not staying
in the hotel. He was either staying in Bono's hotel, The Clarence, or
in a private residence.
United by their shared interest in things philanthropic (and Arthur G
presumably), Bono and Bill held marvellous court in a two-potentates-
together aren't-we-swell kind of way. Glad somebody can.
- Barry Egan
lauramullen
Blue Crack Distributor
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2002
- Messages
- 52,111
Hewson overcomes vertigo in charity abseil
By Catherine Shanahan
Monday, June 01, 2009
ELEVATION: the Hewsons are famous for it, be it the name of a U2 tour
or the top of a tower – where Ali wound up at the weekend in a
fundraiser for the Chernobyl Children’s Project International (CCPI).
"It was much scarier than I thought it would be," the elated mother-of-
four confessed to the Irish Examiner after taking a wobble or two on
her abseil down the country’s tallest building, the Elysian Tower in
Cork city. Given her only dress rehearsal for the dizzying challenge
was down the quarry in Dalkey, Co Dublin, she did remarkably well.
For 10 minutes, she hung precariously over the top of the 17-storey
building, to facilitate photographers and a camera crew, before
beginning her descent. Women watching from the ground below strained
necks and eyes against the sun to see how the challenge was going.
"Look at her figure, look at those skinny legs," one remarked
enviously as Ali held on for dear life.
At last, she got going, only to lose her footing, and for a few
seconds she swung helplessly against the tower. Then composure
regained, and without further ado, she lowered herself safely to the
pavement below.
"Oh my God, it was so slippy, I lost the power of my legs," she said,
relieved to be back on solid ground.
"You’re the craziest mum in the world," said her nine-year-old son
John, who, together with seven-year-old Elijah, hugged her tightly,
glad to have her back in one piece. Ali’s brother Ian also did the
abseil, in a spur-of-the-moment show of support.
"It was very frightening," Ali said, "but I am an able-bodied person
and I am not the brave one – Christina and Olga are."
Christina and Olga are two of the orphans rescued by the CCPI from
mental institutions in Belarus. They are undergoing treatment in
Ireland that may eventually allow them to walk with the aid of
prosthetic limbs.
Chief executive of CCPI, Adi Roche, said she was "incredibly nervous"
when she saw "how awesome the drop was" from the top of the Elysian as
Ali prepared to abseil down.
"We’re incredibly proud of her but the children she’s fundraising for
have really touched her heart," Ms Roche said.
She said they were equally grateful to the Garda Training College in
Templemore, where Garda Conal Mallen, Garda Conor O’Reilly and Sgt
Brendan Hoare came up with the idea to abseil down the Elysian, as
well as organising an Ocean to City rowing race and runners to take
part in today’s Cork City Marathon. The Garda involvement is part of a
drive to raise money for the CCPI Home of Hope Project. CCPI has
already purchased 23 Homes of Hope in Belarus where they house
children rescued from state institutions.
Head of Templemore, Chief Superintendent Jack Nolan, said their
involvement with the CCPI was part of a wider campaign to involve
gardaí more actively in the community.
"We have started a programme called Community Engagement in Action.
This year, CCPI is our flagship project. We are hoping to raise enough
money to purchase a Garda Home of Hope in Belarus," Chief Supt Nolan
said.
Ms Roche said the weekend events had been such a success, the
fundraising target had been raised from e50,000 to e100,000. To make
donations to the CCPI, log onto www.chernobyl-interational.com
By Catherine Shanahan
Monday, June 01, 2009
ELEVATION: the Hewsons are famous for it, be it the name of a U2 tour
or the top of a tower – where Ali wound up at the weekend in a
fundraiser for the Chernobyl Children’s Project International (CCPI).
"It was much scarier than I thought it would be," the elated mother-of-
four confessed to the Irish Examiner after taking a wobble or two on
her abseil down the country’s tallest building, the Elysian Tower in
Cork city. Given her only dress rehearsal for the dizzying challenge
was down the quarry in Dalkey, Co Dublin, she did remarkably well.
For 10 minutes, she hung precariously over the top of the 17-storey
building, to facilitate photographers and a camera crew, before
beginning her descent. Women watching from the ground below strained
necks and eyes against the sun to see how the challenge was going.
"Look at her figure, look at those skinny legs," one remarked
enviously as Ali held on for dear life.
At last, she got going, only to lose her footing, and for a few
seconds she swung helplessly against the tower. Then composure
regained, and without further ado, she lowered herself safely to the
pavement below.
"Oh my God, it was so slippy, I lost the power of my legs," she said,
relieved to be back on solid ground.
"You’re the craziest mum in the world," said her nine-year-old son
John, who, together with seven-year-old Elijah, hugged her tightly,
glad to have her back in one piece. Ali’s brother Ian also did the
abseil, in a spur-of-the-moment show of support.
"It was very frightening," Ali said, "but I am an able-bodied person
and I am not the brave one – Christina and Olga are."
Christina and Olga are two of the orphans rescued by the CCPI from
mental institutions in Belarus. They are undergoing treatment in
Ireland that may eventually allow them to walk with the aid of
prosthetic limbs.
Chief executive of CCPI, Adi Roche, said she was "incredibly nervous"
when she saw "how awesome the drop was" from the top of the Elysian as
Ali prepared to abseil down.
"We’re incredibly proud of her but the children she’s fundraising for
have really touched her heart," Ms Roche said.
She said they were equally grateful to the Garda Training College in
Templemore, where Garda Conal Mallen, Garda Conor O’Reilly and Sgt
Brendan Hoare came up with the idea to abseil down the Elysian, as
well as organising an Ocean to City rowing race and runners to take
part in today’s Cork City Marathon. The Garda involvement is part of a
drive to raise money for the CCPI Home of Hope Project. CCPI has
already purchased 23 Homes of Hope in Belarus where they house
children rescued from state institutions.
Head of Templemore, Chief Superintendent Jack Nolan, said their
involvement with the CCPI was part of a wider campaign to involve
gardaí more actively in the community.
"We have started a programme called Community Engagement in Action.
This year, CCPI is our flagship project. We are hoping to raise enough
money to purchase a Garda Home of Hope in Belarus," Chief Supt Nolan
said.
Ms Roche said the weekend events had been such a success, the
fundraising target had been raised from e50,000 to e100,000. To make
donations to the CCPI, log onto www.chernobyl-interational.com
OP
OP
BonoFox1
Blue Crack Supplier
Aid to Africa perpetuates poverty, economist says
Tues June 2 2009
Impoverished African nations are no better off than they were 40 years ago despite receiving nearly $1 trillion in Western aid, says an Oxford-educated economist, who advocates putting conditions on the money so local governments are held accountable for providing essentials such as education and health care.
Dambisa Moyo, author of a new book entitled "Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa," says pumping billions of dollars of aid into Africa has led to corruption, because leaders are not required to say what they plan to do with the funds.
Moyo, who was born and raised in Zambia and received her PhD at Oxford, said many Africans live on $1 a day and the continent has not experienced the economic growth in recent decades that has been enjoyed by the West.
"I think it's really important for people to understand that I'm not saying do nothing," Moyo said Tuesday during an interview with Canada AM. "I'm saying help create jobs for Africans on the ground, help them train, help them build an entrepreneurial culture, help them do exactly what has built Canada and made it such a successful country."
Moyo's book advocates pulling Africans out of poverty through fostering private sector investment in local businesses -- via trade, foreign direct investment and microfinance.
While those who work on the ground in Africa with non-governmental organizations agree that the international community should be investing in African-driven solutions, they disagree that business solutions are the answer.
Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder of War Child Canada, said that the $1 trillion in aid given to Africa in the last 50 years pales when compared to the fact that the international community puts that amount of money per year into military expenditures.
She also argues that micro-finance for small businesses won't work in countries where literacy rates among the female population are low, such as in Sudan or Afghanistan.
The problem, Nutt says, is not the aid itself, but how the aid is administered. Donor governments, such as Canada, should pressure recipients to decrease their military spending and invest in social welfare programs, she says.
In recent years, the international community has stepped up its financial support for African nations, particularly in response to advocacy work done by celebrities such as singers Bob Geldof and Bono.
In April, Canada pledged about $12 billion in aid to Africa as part of the International Monetary Fund's plan to help developing countries through the current economic crisis. It is unclear what, if any, conditions were placed on those funds.
Moyo argued that celebrities have stepped into the breach left by African leaders who have failed to articulate any sort of strategy for growth and prosperity.
"Those celebrities have the right just like everyone else to say how they feel," she said. "But I think ultimately we need African leaders to take the initiative to explain what their strategy is in terms of reducing poverty on the continent. And we're just not hearing from them."
CTV.ca | Aid to Africa perpetuates poverty, economist says
Tues June 2 2009
Impoverished African nations are no better off than they were 40 years ago despite receiving nearly $1 trillion in Western aid, says an Oxford-educated economist, who advocates putting conditions on the money so local governments are held accountable for providing essentials such as education and health care.
Dambisa Moyo, author of a new book entitled "Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa," says pumping billions of dollars of aid into Africa has led to corruption, because leaders are not required to say what they plan to do with the funds.
Moyo, who was born and raised in Zambia and received her PhD at Oxford, said many Africans live on $1 a day and the continent has not experienced the economic growth in recent decades that has been enjoyed by the West.
"I think it's really important for people to understand that I'm not saying do nothing," Moyo said Tuesday during an interview with Canada AM. "I'm saying help create jobs for Africans on the ground, help them train, help them build an entrepreneurial culture, help them do exactly what has built Canada and made it such a successful country."
Moyo's book advocates pulling Africans out of poverty through fostering private sector investment in local businesses -- via trade, foreign direct investment and microfinance.
While those who work on the ground in Africa with non-governmental organizations agree that the international community should be investing in African-driven solutions, they disagree that business solutions are the answer.
Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder of War Child Canada, said that the $1 trillion in aid given to Africa in the last 50 years pales when compared to the fact that the international community puts that amount of money per year into military expenditures.
She also argues that micro-finance for small businesses won't work in countries where literacy rates among the female population are low, such as in Sudan or Afghanistan.
The problem, Nutt says, is not the aid itself, but how the aid is administered. Donor governments, such as Canada, should pressure recipients to decrease their military spending and invest in social welfare programs, she says.
In recent years, the international community has stepped up its financial support for African nations, particularly in response to advocacy work done by celebrities such as singers Bob Geldof and Bono.
In April, Canada pledged about $12 billion in aid to Africa as part of the International Monetary Fund's plan to help developing countries through the current economic crisis. It is unclear what, if any, conditions were placed on those funds.
Moyo argued that celebrities have stepped into the breach left by African leaders who have failed to articulate any sort of strategy for growth and prosperity.
"Those celebrities have the right just like everyone else to say how they feel," she said. "But I think ultimately we need African leaders to take the initiative to explain what their strategy is in terms of reducing poverty on the continent. And we're just not hearing from them."
CTV.ca | Aid to Africa perpetuates poverty, economist says
Hey Cecy, I know that this article references Bono but the issues raised in this article are way too complex to address in this thread, in an effort to present a more balanced view of the issue of the effectiveness of foreign assistance programs in decreasing AIDS & extreme poverty in the world, let me give two links for people to check out.
Here is the link for ONE's official review of Moyo's book & of the effectiveness of foreign assistance programs.
Unlike Moyo, ONE backs their ideas up with statistics:
ONE | Dead Aid Is Dead Wrong
Also, if you would like to check something out very cool on the ONE site, here is their thread on Baaba Maal that they just posted today:
A-List Pick: Baaba Maal | ONE
Here is the link for ONE's official review of Moyo's book & of the effectiveness of foreign assistance programs.
Unlike Moyo, ONE backs their ideas up with statistics:
ONE | Dead Aid Is Dead Wrong
Also, if you would like to check something out very cool on the ONE site, here is their thread on Baaba Maal that they just posted today:
A-List Pick: Baaba Maal | ONE
Turn up the AC
The Fly
I saw this on the local news last night.......just thought I'd share 
Achtung U2 Fans
Come spend a few days talking, listening and thinking about what U2 has done. We're bringing together scholars, teachers, students, journalists, clergy, musicians and intellectually curious U2 fans for a rich program of exploring this truly one-of-a-kind band for a truly one-of-a-kind conference, and we hope you'll be in the room.
Is it all so much hype? Are we lost in their feedback? Or is this band of ambitions, paradoxes, ironies and sincerity the real thing? If you think U2 has played a role, for better or worse, in changing the worlds of music, entertainment, popular culture, humanitarian relief, peace and social justice efforts - or has changed the world in you - then come join the conversation. Meet us in the sound!
U2 Academic Conference | 2009http://u2conference.com/exhibitors.php
Achtung U2 Fans
Come spend a few days talking, listening and thinking about what U2 has done. We're bringing together scholars, teachers, students, journalists, clergy, musicians and intellectually curious U2 fans for a rich program of exploring this truly one-of-a-kind band for a truly one-of-a-kind conference, and we hope you'll be in the room.
Is it all so much hype? Are we lost in their feedback? Or is this band of ambitions, paradoxes, ironies and sincerity the real thing? If you think U2 has played a role, for better or worse, in changing the worlds of music, entertainment, popular culture, humanitarian relief, peace and social justice efforts - or has changed the world in you - then come join the conversation. Meet us in the sound!
U2 Academic Conference | 2009http://u2conference.com/exhibitors.php
lauramullen
Blue Crack Distributor
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2002
- Messages
- 52,111
From atu2
Ole Miss Wants U2 to Come to Oxford
Fox News, June 01, 2009
Lauren Lee
Oxford, MS - The University of Mississippi is hoping to attract an educational conference on the band, U2.
The band has already traveled to the Mid-South for inspiration for their signature sound. Because of that, Oxford resident and U2 fan Misty Phillips started a campaign to bring the first U2 Academic Conference to Ole Miss.
"The real connection to the music is with Muddy Waters and B.B. King and the people that inspired their music from the beginning," says Phillips.
The conference will be held in October. Originally, it was set for New York, but organizers found it too costly. So a committee formed to find a new venue. The finalists are the University of Mississippi and Duke.
The conference will be about more than music; it concentrates on how the band has impacted the world.
"Its anything from the world debt relief they have been champions of, to HIV and AIDS prevention and orphan care," says Phillips.
The conference will attract international speakers and hundreds of attendants from around the world. The cultural opportunities for Oxford attracted the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. It will provide staffing, hospitality services, and tours if Ole Miss is selected.
"We thought this was a great mesh because its a conference about a band from another country that came through and experienced the music here and it changed them," says Wayne Andrews, Executive Director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council.
U2's travels through the Mid-South would also be a part of the conference. Phillips wants conference go-ers to get the full U2 "southern" experience.
"We started out in Memphis we went on buses to Sun Studios, we stood where Elvis stood and we experienced what U2 did," says Phillips.
The organizers in Oxford need your help to sway the committee to choose Ole Miss. Blog about why the conference should come to Oxford on the U2 conference website.
U2 Academic Conference | 2009
(c) Fox Television Stations, Inc., 2009
Ole Miss Wants U2 to Come to Oxford
Fox News, June 01, 2009
Lauren Lee
Oxford, MS - The University of Mississippi is hoping to attract an educational conference on the band, U2.
The band has already traveled to the Mid-South for inspiration for their signature sound. Because of that, Oxford resident and U2 fan Misty Phillips started a campaign to bring the first U2 Academic Conference to Ole Miss.
"The real connection to the music is with Muddy Waters and B.B. King and the people that inspired their music from the beginning," says Phillips.
The conference will be held in October. Originally, it was set for New York, but organizers found it too costly. So a committee formed to find a new venue. The finalists are the University of Mississippi and Duke.
The conference will be about more than music; it concentrates on how the band has impacted the world.
"Its anything from the world debt relief they have been champions of, to HIV and AIDS prevention and orphan care," says Phillips.
The conference will attract international speakers and hundreds of attendants from around the world. The cultural opportunities for Oxford attracted the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. It will provide staffing, hospitality services, and tours if Ole Miss is selected.
"We thought this was a great mesh because its a conference about a band from another country that came through and experienced the music here and it changed them," says Wayne Andrews, Executive Director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council.
U2's travels through the Mid-South would also be a part of the conference. Phillips wants conference go-ers to get the full U2 "southern" experience.
"We started out in Memphis we went on buses to Sun Studios, we stood where Elvis stood and we experienced what U2 did," says Phillips.
The organizers in Oxford need your help to sway the committee to choose Ole Miss. Blog about why the conference should come to Oxford on the U2 conference website.
U2 Academic Conference | 2009
(c) Fox Television Stations, Inc., 2009
Anybody interested in replying to this piece of trash?
Body talk with Judi James: U2's company, three's a crowd | Mail Online
Another piece of trash about Bono to go in my file of trashy articles.
So sad.
Body talk with Judi James: U2's company, three's a crowd | Mail Online
Another piece of trash about Bono to go in my file of trashy articles.
So sad.
OrARoundabout
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2007
- Messages
- 4,333
Anybody interested in replying to this piece of trash?
Body talk with Judi James: U2's company, three's a crowd | Mail Online
Another piece of trash about Bono to go in my file of trashy articles.
So sad.
F that...just and innocent peck on the shoulder...
OP
OP
BonoFox1
Blue Crack Supplier
I saw this on the local news last night.......just thought I'd share
Achtung U2 Fans
Come spend a few days talking, listening and thinking about what U2 has done. We're bringing together scholars, teachers, students, journalists, clergy, musicians and intellectually curious U2 fans for a rich program of exploring this truly one-of-a-kind band for a truly one-of-a-kind conference, and we hope you'll be in the room.
Is it all so much hype? Are we lost in their feedback? Or is this band of ambitions, paradoxes, ironies and sincerity the real thing? If you think U2 has played a role, for better or worse, in changing the worlds of music, entertainment, popular culture, humanitarian relief, peace and social justice efforts - or has changed the world in you - then come join the conversation. Meet us in the sound!
U2 Academic Conference | 2009http://u2conference.com/exhibitors.php
KEWL! Thanks Turn up the AC!
last unicorn
Blue Crack Addict
I found a short trailer about B on the Biography Channel:
Stars?- The Biography Channel
I cannot find his biography anywhere in the tv programme, though
Stars?- The Biography Channel
I cannot find his biography anywhere in the tv programme, though
europop2005
Refugee
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2006
- Messages
- 2,420
In between the dissing Bono articles...we get this
Ali overcomes Vertigo and makes giant leap for charity - News & Gossip, Entertainment - Independent.ie
Ali Hewson climbs down the side of a very tall building for charity
Ali overcomes Vertigo and makes giant leap for charity - News & Gossip, Entertainment - Independent.ie
Ali Hewson climbs down the side of a very tall building for charity
lauramullen
Blue Crack Distributor
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2002
- Messages
- 52,111
U2 Beef Up Security To Stop Backstage Pilfering On Tour
The Mirror, June 03, 2009
Paul Martin
Rockers U2 have hired a security team to guard their dressing rooms during their new tour -- because fans kept nicking mementoes from their backstage compound.
They were so fed-up with items going missing during their last tour they have put beefed-up security measures in place for their first gig in Barcelona later this month.
The measures include drafting in 50 guards, installing CCTV and watch towers to keep an eye on band members' private rooms.
Only their closest friends and family will get anywhere near the band with just 10 Access All Areas passes being handed out for each gig.
U2 are currently rehearsing for their huge stadium tour which kicks off at the Nou Camp on June 30. A group insider said: "The security arrangements around this tour are the most extreme we have ever seen. It is ultra-strict. The security operation will be the biggest ever mounted for a rock tour.
"The problem is during the last tour a few fans even managed to sneak in during concerts and they ended up running off with the band's clothes and possessions."
The group's 360 Degree tour will hit Croke Park in July for three 90,000 capacity concerts.
Inside the stadium there will be five levels of security with different passes for each.
To get into the final zone -- which allows direct access to the band -- lucky VIPs will have to pass a series of security points and undergo a body scan with metal detectors.
While Bono and the group are performing CCTV cameras will monitor the halls leading to their rooms and the whole compound will become a "lock down."
The source added: "It means there won't be a free for all while they are singing."
© The Mirror, 2009.
The Mirror, June 03, 2009
Paul Martin
Rockers U2 have hired a security team to guard their dressing rooms during their new tour -- because fans kept nicking mementoes from their backstage compound.
They were so fed-up with items going missing during their last tour they have put beefed-up security measures in place for their first gig in Barcelona later this month.
The measures include drafting in 50 guards, installing CCTV and watch towers to keep an eye on band members' private rooms.
Only their closest friends and family will get anywhere near the band with just 10 Access All Areas passes being handed out for each gig.
U2 are currently rehearsing for their huge stadium tour which kicks off at the Nou Camp on June 30. A group insider said: "The security arrangements around this tour are the most extreme we have ever seen. It is ultra-strict. The security operation will be the biggest ever mounted for a rock tour.
"The problem is during the last tour a few fans even managed to sneak in during concerts and they ended up running off with the band's clothes and possessions."
The group's 360 Degree tour will hit Croke Park in July for three 90,000 capacity concerts.
Inside the stadium there will be five levels of security with different passes for each.
To get into the final zone -- which allows direct access to the band -- lucky VIPs will have to pass a series of security points and undergo a body scan with metal detectors.
While Bono and the group are performing CCTV cameras will monitor the halls leading to their rooms and the whole compound will become a "lock down."
The source added: "It means there won't be a free for all while they are singing."
© The Mirror, 2009.
lauramullen
Blue Crack Distributor
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- Aug 9, 2002
- Messages
- 52,111
Lost concert film with the Police and U2 to screen June 14 in Hollywood
06:28 PM PT, Jun 2 2009
A film long thought lost documenting Amnesty International’s 1986 “A
Conspiracy of Hope” concert that featured the Police, U2, Peter
Gabriel, Jackson Browne, Miles Davisand others will be screened in its
11-hour entirety June 14 in Hollywood. The rarity will be the showcase
jewel of a five-week film festival saluting the 30th anniversary of
the international human rights organization’s music and comedy concerts.
The Secret Policeman’s Film Festival marathon screening marks the
first time the concert has been seen since it aired live 23 years ago
on MTV. It will screen from noon to 11 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre as
one of the marquee events in this edition of the American
Cinematheque’s ongoing Mods & Rockers Film Festival.
Other acts who participated include Lou Reed, Joni Mitchell, Yoko Ono,
Carlos Santana, Joan Baez, Steven Van Zandt, Bryan Adams, Ruben Blades
and Bob Geldof. The Police’s performance was the trio’s first in four
years.
The event aired live, but contractual stipulations precluded it from
being repeated or issued on home video.
The tapes were scattered and stored in different locations; some were
presumed lost. When all the tapes were found, some were in poor shape
and had to be restored, according to Martin Lewis, organizer of the
Mods & Rockers Festival.
The Secret Policeman's Film Festival runs June 11 to July 19 in Los
Angeles and will be repeated June 26 to July 31 in New York City. Full
schedule information is available at the festival’s website.
--Randy Lewis
06:28 PM PT, Jun 2 2009
A film long thought lost documenting Amnesty International’s 1986 “A
Conspiracy of Hope” concert that featured the Police, U2, Peter
Gabriel, Jackson Browne, Miles Davisand others will be screened in its
11-hour entirety June 14 in Hollywood. The rarity will be the showcase
jewel of a five-week film festival saluting the 30th anniversary of
the international human rights organization’s music and comedy concerts.
The Secret Policeman’s Film Festival marathon screening marks the
first time the concert has been seen since it aired live 23 years ago
on MTV. It will screen from noon to 11 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre as
one of the marquee events in this edition of the American
Cinematheque’s ongoing Mods & Rockers Film Festival.
Other acts who participated include Lou Reed, Joni Mitchell, Yoko Ono,
Carlos Santana, Joan Baez, Steven Van Zandt, Bryan Adams, Ruben Blades
and Bob Geldof. The Police’s performance was the trio’s first in four
years.
The event aired live, but contractual stipulations precluded it from
being repeated or issued on home video.
The tapes were scattered and stored in different locations; some were
presumed lost. When all the tapes were found, some were in poor shape
and had to be restored, according to Martin Lewis, organizer of the
Mods & Rockers Festival.
The Secret Policeman's Film Festival runs June 11 to July 19 in Los
Angeles and will be repeated June 26 to July 31 in New York City. Full
schedule information is available at the festival’s website.
--Randy Lewis
OP
OP
BonoFox1
Blue Crack Supplier
OMG OMG OMG!!! That's in less then two weeks! I'm going!!!
edit: screening from noon till 11pm??
That will be a whole day!!well if I can't make it all day hope fully it will end up on dvd!!
Thanks Laura!
OP
OP
BonoFox1
Blue Crack Supplier
Cameron Diaz Makes A Low-Budget Environmental Documentary
Though she admits we're probably "f**ked"
June 3 2009
While Cameron Diaz’s environmental passions were less probed in the May issue of Vogue, the actress certainly didn’t hold back for this month’s feature in Marie Claire. The magazine not only got some great quotes out of Diaz on her eco-cred, but also tagged along for some filming of her new low-budget documentary on “our relationship to the planet”. From the article,
“Inspired by the annual TED conference that she’s attended—a kind of smarty-pants consortium dedicated to the spread of innovative ideas put forth by speakers like Bono, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, and Samantha Power—Diaz felt the urge to start a far-reaching conversation about the environment. ‘I was like, I’m going to get a camera, and I’m going to mobile-home it across the country, and I’m just going to find out what people are thinking. What would it take for the common person to become engaged?’—in the catastrophe that is the state of our natural resources. Most of all, she wants to help raise consciousness. ‘There’s a lot of great minds out there who are thinking about this,’ she says, who are coming up with solutions. Not to crash anybody’s party, but to actually make the party better.’ She laughs. ‘Really, that’s what it’s about—that’s my participation in it.’”
There aren’t too many celebrities that take it upon themselves to get out there and get people talking about the environment. Diaz is truly engaged in getting the issues front and center — though she admits it can be a bit of a depressing challenge.
“‘I’m sad,’ Diaz says later, in the car on the way to a Mexican joint for dinner. ‘It’s just sad.’ She drains a plastic water bottle and tosses it on the floor of the car. ‘And I’m unhappy about the waste I just produced.’ Diaz and Dylan, sitting next to her in the backseat, conclude that we as a people are summarily, environmentally ‘fucked.’ In fact, that quickly becomes the leitmotif of the trip, and it cracks them up every time. Diaz, out of the blue: ‘You know what we are?’ Dylan: ‘Let me guess—fucked?’”
I’m sure we’ve all thought that at one time or another
Cameron Diaz Makes A Low-Budget Environmental Documentary // Archives // ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip
Though she admits we're probably "f**ked"
June 3 2009
While Cameron Diaz’s environmental passions were less probed in the May issue of Vogue, the actress certainly didn’t hold back for this month’s feature in Marie Claire. The magazine not only got some great quotes out of Diaz on her eco-cred, but also tagged along for some filming of her new low-budget documentary on “our relationship to the planet”. From the article,
“Inspired by the annual TED conference that she’s attended—a kind of smarty-pants consortium dedicated to the spread of innovative ideas put forth by speakers like Bono, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, and Samantha Power—Diaz felt the urge to start a far-reaching conversation about the environment. ‘I was like, I’m going to get a camera, and I’m going to mobile-home it across the country, and I’m just going to find out what people are thinking. What would it take for the common person to become engaged?’—in the catastrophe that is the state of our natural resources. Most of all, she wants to help raise consciousness. ‘There’s a lot of great minds out there who are thinking about this,’ she says, who are coming up with solutions. Not to crash anybody’s party, but to actually make the party better.’ She laughs. ‘Really, that’s what it’s about—that’s my participation in it.’”
There aren’t too many celebrities that take it upon themselves to get out there and get people talking about the environment. Diaz is truly engaged in getting the issues front and center — though she admits it can be a bit of a depressing challenge.
“‘I’m sad,’ Diaz says later, in the car on the way to a Mexican joint for dinner. ‘It’s just sad.’ She drains a plastic water bottle and tosses it on the floor of the car. ‘And I’m unhappy about the waste I just produced.’ Diaz and Dylan, sitting next to her in the backseat, conclude that we as a people are summarily, environmentally ‘fucked.’ In fact, that quickly becomes the leitmotif of the trip, and it cracks them up every time. Diaz, out of the blue: ‘You know what we are?’ Dylan: ‘Let me guess—fucked?’”
I’m sure we’ve all thought that at one time or another
Cameron Diaz Makes A Low-Budget Environmental Documentary // Archives // ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip
OP
OP
BonoFox1
Blue Crack Supplier
One of my favorite musician quotes
Robbie Williams (pictured) says he's still embarrassed about a drugged-out chat he had with U2 frontman Bono a while back.
"I was at this party and completely and totally off my face -- mushrooms, Ecstasy ... And I was staring at this painting for ages," Williams tells Stuff magazine.
"I was just mesmerized by it. And Bono comes up and asks, 'Robbie, what are you doing?' And I said, 'Bono, man, this [bleeping] painting is incredible.'
And he went, 'Robbie, that’s the window.'"
Robbie Williams (pictured) says he's still embarrassed about a drugged-out chat he had with U2 frontman Bono a while back.
"I was at this party and completely and totally off my face -- mushrooms, Ecstasy ... And I was staring at this painting for ages," Williams tells Stuff magazine.
"I was just mesmerized by it. And Bono comes up and asks, 'Robbie, what are you doing?' And I said, 'Bono, man, this [bleeping] painting is incredible.'
And he went, 'Robbie, that’s the window.'"
lauramullen
Blue Crack Distributor
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- Aug 9, 2002
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Bonogirl777
Blue Crack Addict
Good one! 
domo-kun
ONE love, blood, life
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That sucks , I have respect for the guys... People that nick stuff from the band are not real fans. I understand why they take security measures.
Its just plain sad that it has to come that far, all because of people stealing stuff. Why would you even do something like that?
Anji
New Yorker
Anybody interested in replying to this piece of trash?
Body talk with Judi James: U2's company, three's a crowd | Mail Online
Another piece of trash about Bono to go in my file of trashy articles.
So sad.
Why anyone bothers to read this paper is completely beyond me.
I wouldn't wipe my ass with it STOP reading it and you won't get offended 
lauramullen
Blue Crack Distributor
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2002
- Messages
- 52,111
That sucks , I have respect for the guys... People that nick stuff from the band are not real fans. I understand why they take security measures.
Its just plain sad that it has to come that far, all because of people stealing stuff. Why would you even do something like that?
They would take the stuff and try to sell them on Ebay for money.
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