Bono Profiled in The New York Times Magazine next Sunday
Bono of the Irish rock and roll act U2 is profiled in the upcoming issue of The New York Times Magazine, though it focuses more on his off-stage world saving than his on-stage persona, which makes Colin Meloy look like a paragon of quiet humility.
In spite of Bono's "willingness to invest his fame" which in turn "has made him the most politically effective figure in the recent history of popular culture," Matthew at i (heart) music called Stereogum favorites The Arcade Fire sellouts for opening for college-rock progenitors U2.
Posted at 5:05 PM
Yes, Bono may be a fucking politician and a loud mouth but what the hell does Bono Vox mean anyways..just living up to the name.. and yes as the quotes in Jed's or Scott's or Jim's or whoever's post said -- he believe it or not has done some good in the political world. if u have the power may as well use it for some good..and Paul Hewson definitely has..
Arcade Fire are smart for opening up for a band that has been together for over 25 years. A band that was formed by a bunch of high school Irish punks. A band that is still together, respecting each other and putting out music that will last for generations to come. U2 will always rule in my book and smart move by Arcade Fire.
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Agree with J Appleseed. Love U2, love The Arcade Fire. Music snobs need to stop coverting their precious Arcade Fire and let the masses hear the music - because it is that good - it should be heard by all who appreciate and are inspired by the best out there.
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I agree with Mr. Appleseed. What would you do if you were given the opportunity to open for a band that has lasted so long and done so well? I think Arcade Fire made the right choice.
As for Bono, he has done some good in the world, and he wants to help as much as he can. When he spoke at Penn's commencement, you got a feeling that he actually cared about helping people and that using his fame was just using whatever tools he had available, not as if he tried to bolster his image by taking up a cause.
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A lot of the shit U2 catches is due to the fact that they have been one of the most popular band for years now. I think this is too easy and rather lazy on the part of their critics. U2 is a great band that have made some of great records. More power to them and Bono who is actively trying to make the world a better place.
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chiming in to agree with Mr. Appleseed... I (heart) Bono. I got the chance to meet Mr. Hewson before the San Jose show in April... nicest guy in the world. He took his time chatting with fans, asking for feedback about the shows and seemed genuinely happy to do so. Can't say the same about other rock stars.
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Also wanted to add that "Wake Up" was played as in the intro to the opening song during the spring Vertigo tour.
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Dont get it twisted man, i dig U2
But if you aint about the ghetto then fuck U2.
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Everyone above, thanks for backing me and good to see a show of support for the best band in the world - U2! I got so excited I had to blog a little about it...
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u2 love at stereogum. how sweet. anyone who has their panties in a bunch thinking arcade fire is selling out by opening for u2, might want to find some more pressing issues to think about. as for mr. bono, sure the boy is a loud mouth, but at least he has something to say.
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technically, i didn't call the arcade fire sellouts...as i said in the paragraph before mentioning u2 and bowie, the concept of selling out is ridiculous and antiquated. it just seems like u2 in their current phase -- big, empty, bombastic rock/a vehicle for bono to spout off simple political clichés -- is the antithesis of everything on funeral, and that acts like bono, bowie and coldplay are using the band as a prop to show how hip they are.
i actually wasn't even thinking of bono's political beliefs when i made the comment...i, personally, think he's a bit of an idiot, and says what he knows will be popular rather than saying anything that has a grounding in fact, but that's another matter entirely, and completely removed from my problem with arcade fire opening for them.
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It's great to see some people that don't automatically trash one of the best bands of all time because they've had mainstream success. Both Bowie and U2 started small, grew bigger, and became huge (U2 still are, i guess). People seem to forget where current indie bands get their inspiration, i can guarantee that Bowie and U2 will be right there on the top of many artists lists.
The Arcade Fire has become probably the most talked among new artists among U2 fans and for good reason. I can only hope other great bands like them can get the exposure that the they are getting.
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jed. maybe i am slow, but i have a hard time understanding what you are trying to say in your posts. i had to read this twice. maybe too many commas and two many ideas coming out all at once?
not trying to be a bitch, but i don't want to have to put alot of thought into reading the content of this site!
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Matthew, you're a fucking idiot, zooropa is better than anything ardace fire has or ever will do (not to say they are bad, but c'mon),
hey, why don't you write a fucking record instead of being a whiny little pseudo critic, jesus fucking christ, how much of a fucking bubble are you in that you are actually blasting a band on the internet, and don't let your nonsense get on stereogum anymore.
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Matthew, you say that U2 in their current phase are a big bombastic rock vehicle for Bono to spout off political cliches - I guess you never listened to U2 or early U2 for that matter. U2 and Bono have been spouting off about politics for years. The band is from Ireland, you know, the IRA, one of the most political countries in the world. Protestants vs Catholics, What the hell do you think the War album was about... Sunday, Bloody Sunday man. U2 have always been about politics and the world. Listen to the music man...
And then you say Bono's a bit of an idiot... well, obviously you have not kept up with his constant fight against poverty, aids etc. The man is using his own money to travel across the world, to try to do some good for the world. It isn't about him, it is what he wants to do to use the fame he has so richly deserved to help people. And as mysticonnie so aptly said "Can't say the same about other rock stars...... wake up lad, listen to the music....
And you may want to research some of your comments before making a fool out of yourself.....
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For Matthew (again), I don't understand how "simple political clichés -- is the antithesis of everything on funeral"? That means that the "thesis" of Funeral is complex political theory? Most cultural issues like this one don't boil down to black and white contrasts.
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my response is too long to post here, so i've posted it on my site's blog.
i will say, marathonpacks, though, that you're correct...i meant to say that funeral was the opposite of the big, empty, bombastic rock U2 specialize in, but by adding the part about politics i made that less clear. i stand by what i said about u2's politics, though, and i give the full explanation on my blog, so feel free to go over there and give it a look, if you really want to engage in the debate about bono and politics.
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Got some tunes if u all are interested...U2 recommended jukebox and if there is enough interest i just may be bribed into putting up some of the rare U2 stuff i have to share a little....... that even goes for u Matthew..... u may learn something...
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eh...calling straight from canada here: the tight country. that's right, i used the word "tight". it is a tight country because people from winnipeg know people from montreal who know people from edmonton; therefor, the people from winnipeg know the people from edmonton. Get it? Not the same for the U.S.A.'s georgia .vs. washinton .vs. arkansas. that's right, not the same.
so...i have to report here on stereogum, a place where i am anonymous and unknown, that the ARCADE FIRE are technically, literally, actually, bonafide SELLOUTS. that's right, you read it correctly "SELLOUTS". why? because four days after tickets went on sale here in measley 'ol edmonton alberta canada, there were none to be had! now tell me this, how is that supposed to make sense? how is a prodimantly canadian band fuck up by sell out to their own people?
it makes no goddamn sense i tell you. i mean really! modest mouse tickets were available the day of the show and those jerks *who i do still adore post GNFPWLBN* played the exact same venue!
it's the media, they're scorfing all the tickets down so they can be in control. DOWN WITH MEDIA!
er...uh....sort of.
love aimee
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isn't anyone who puts their music for sale on some level selling out?
Its just too hip to trash U2 these days. I'm glad I've never been a trend follower.
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It's not "hip" to diss U2, JD, it's POPULAR to diss U2, and people think it makes them "hip".
Yes I understand some people just don't like their music, I can't stand Elvis Presley's music but I won't diss him because I realize the impact he's made on music in general. Same goes for U2.
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oh, please...it's not popular to diss u2. bono has said they're the greatest rock band in the world enough times that everyone else is parroting it back at the band, oblivious to the fact they haven't done anything new since pop (which, it should be noted, the band doesn't even have the fortitude to stand behind, especially if they really follow through with their plan to re-release a revised version of it). they do nothing but reuse the same guitar lines over and over, and no one says anything about it just because it's u2.
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Oh Matthew lad, isn't it past your bedtime?
Reuse the same guitar lines? What are guitar lines?
The Edge (Dave Evans) trademarked an echo pedal guitar sound and later married it with an arpeggiated style. Ok I know I have lost you lad but hang in there. See you can play chord series arpeggio, that is simply playing the chord one note at a time. And another definition of Arpeggio is playing the notes of a chord consecutively (harp style). A broken chord in which the individual notes are sounded one after the other instead of simultaneously.
So, maybe that is what you mean by the same lines? Not really sure but if you want to consider yourself a music expert then maybe you need to do some research eh?
And Mr. Evans has won numerous awards throughout the years for his guitar work and is considered by a lot of Irish people to be a guitar hero next in line to Rory Gallagher. And I definitely know you have no idea who Rory Gallagher is...
So, Matthew Lad, if you want to sling the shit you better do your homework...
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Oh Matthew lad, isn't it past your bedtime?
Reuse the same guitar lines? What are guitar lines?
The Edge (Dave Evans) trademarked an echo pedal guitar sound and later married it with an arpeggiated style. Ok I know I have lost you lad but hang in there. See you can play chord series arpeggio, that is simply playing the chord one note at a time. And another definition of Arpeggio is playing the notes of a chord consecutively (harp style). A broken chord in which the individual notes are sounded one after the other instead of simultaneously.
You got this old guy so worked up I typed Matthew for the post! Ha! Well, tis a good name even if you are acting like a punk!
So, maybe that is what you mean by the same lines? Not really sure but if you want to consider yourself a music expert then maybe you need to do some research eh?
And Mr. Evans has won numerous awards throughout the years for his guitar work and is considered by a lot of Irish people to be a guitar hero next in line to Rory Gallagher. And I definitely know you have no idea who Rory Gallagher is...
So, Matthew Lad, if you want to sling the shit you better do your homework...
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Ha! I was so excited to educate you lad that I typed in your name for my post! Well, Matthew is a good Catholic boys name so it can't be all that bad!
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Ha! I was so excited to educate you lad that I typed in your name for my post! Well, Matthew is a good Catholic boy's name so it can't be all that bad!
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i did wonder when i'd suddenly gotten so preachy...
but yes, my dear johnny, that is what i meant by guitar lines. and, as you explained, that's the signature u2 sound...and, as i said, 25 years on it's not sounding quite so fresh anymore. i can't blame the band for sitting on their laurels and doing what's worked for them in the past, but it'd be quite lovely if people like you weren't constantly saying how great the band is today for stuff they did a few decades ago.
i'd be interested to know, though, how you can say with such certainty which musicians i know and which ones i don't know...i've certainly heard of rory gallagher, and i have a passing understanding of who he is, even if i'm not a fan...
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Hey, Matthew, I already asked-where's your fucking album?
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Hey Matt, I already answered that ridiculously stupid question on my site -- if having made an album is a prerequisite for being able to pass judgement on a band (good or bad, because it doesn't only work one way), where's yours?
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Apologies for my multiple posts last night..friggin computer locked up on me & i hit the post button too many times..
Ok we are now getting somewhere, think i see better what Matthew is saying. To me that "signature" sound holds serious roots in my musical upbringing. When the Irish boys were starting i was the same age as them and they struck a deep place in my late teen years. So, when I hear the same "signature" it resonants deep for me..
But i do understand the point made by Matthew. My bias on U2 goes deep so maybe i am not the best to argue the point....
I don't see the Pop period as anything but different. In fact, I do not really like it much. I think the boys could have done something better if they wanted to change it up... Radiohead did and they have made that change fairly positive. Still love the old Radiohead though....
and you are right i should not have made the Rory comment... i'm not a mind reader that is for sure and do have respect for other's opinions..
the last thing I will say on this post is if you come to the table with me about a music disagreement you best be prepared and especially if it comes to U2.. i have seen a lot, been a musician for years, been a college radio DJ, and have had the benefit of time... but you hung in there & stuck to your point... do admire that..
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Thanks very much, Johnny. I do appreciate where you're coming from, since U2 can inspire extraordinarily fervent devotion from a lot of people, and they clearly mean quite a lot to you. Oddly enough, Pop is the one U2 album I really like -- they tried doing something different, and even if they failed as much as they succeeded I still really liked the effort.
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You can't answer a question with another question you geek,
and it's next to my guitars.
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Dang. You know, it's okay to not like U2 and to not agree with what Bono's doing. I realize there's a lot of passionate U2 fans out there (including me, as I'm kind of a nut about them), but people get so defensive about it.
Go listen to "The Unforgettable Fire" and have a bit of a chill-out. (But skip over "Wire," as it might get you all riled up.)
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Careful, I didn't like Elvis Presley until I listened to Mystery Train. Then it all started. I agree, it is popular to diss U2. They are good. Sure they stick to a formula, but there are some good moments. My fav being "still haven't found what I'm looking for".. They have a long history. Very politcal band. I think Bono means well. Now, Dave Navarro. There's a ham. Who will be the next generation's version of U2? Coldplay of course.
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fff, I know you mean well ... but oh my GOD, I look forward to the day when I can see a Coldplay mention without it immediately being followed by a U2 mention. ;-)
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interesting issue, this subject about Coldplay mention followed by a U2 mention... i struggle with this a lot myself and am just as guilty in my references during discussions/posts. i agree with corianderstem that it does get tiring.... when i look back on the past, it seems like the present has lost something...bands like u2, the clash, ramones,radiohead..all established something new - there were no references for them like we see for new bands today (or not as many). it just seems now that bands these days are just following & not leading so to speak... i don't mind it cause they are referencing bands that i love but... where has the "breaking new ground gone"? maybe it's just there isn't more to invent? i will say a band like Sigur Ros has i feel done something fairly different....difficult issue to debate..
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It's just kind of baffling to me, the endless comparisons to U2. I have no problem with Chris Martin coming out and basically saying they want to "take over" U2, or get as big as them, or whatever. But every stinking review or article I read is littered with U2 references.
I like Coldplay and all, I think they're a rather pleasant band, but if they want to take the big "rock band with sweeping, uplifting, anthemic, stadium-ready songs" mantle from U2, then they should try and, you know, ROCK a little more.
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yeah, i know he has said that about taking over u2. i think Chris Martin is very talented, and do like listening to Coldplay however, he is in no shape or form Bono.... and it is very bold for him to say that point. i don't know why they don't just strive to be Coldplay. there is only one U2,u know....
I don't remember years ago seeing album reviews with the RIYL (recommend if you like) at the end. Now every review you read has that, and everyone wants to be someone else..
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johnny appleseed, i think you've set the records for comments. U2 used to be good, but now not as much, although still better than most of their other top-40 brethren. all bands seem to reach a point where their songs all sound the same.
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Cuando yo vivía en Buenos Aires a mitad de los 80, U2 estaba 'copada', pero solamente hasta The Unforgetable Fire. Cuando sacaron a Joshua Tree, recibieron mucha difusión en la radio y en la tele. Todos los 'grasitas' que iban a discotecas como 'Starlight' en Cabildo se hicieron fanes de U2. Desde ese instante odie a U2 y todos los gracitas que compraban sus discos. Si hay otro Argentino que me entiende, por favor pase al frente.
Final Mensaje; Grasitas, negro cabesitas, porque no se matan y cierran el orto de una vez.
Pelotudo
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hey yeah, geez thanks, i set a record on Stereogum for comments, wow, that and 2 cents will buy me a friggin cup of water at McDonalds, do i get some kind of medal or something i can pin on my chest? Or maybe a little Gumby i can keep by my side while I'm typing on the computer?
just trying to bide the time until i find another job & intrigued by the Gumster's wit & the blog operation he is running up there in NYC...but i will say if the Gummer wants to play in the sandbox with me, as i said above to Matthew, he best bring out the best toys he has..
see Mr. Appleseed was born at night, but not friggin last night...& Mr. Appleseed has done a lot of things in his time & dealt with characters much more satirical than the Gum crew.. I can handle the Gum & the his cast of jokesters (and have kinda taken a shine to their wit)... and being originally from the Boston area, I am very, very skilled in the art of handling the New York style.... I love to be challenged but anyone who does better have woken up early, eaten a whole box of Wheaties, drank a pot of coffee, and better be well prepared... The Gum thinks he tricked me on the 1980 post.... i have been waiting for days for him to retaliate for my comments on his post about CMJ..just lying in wait for his attack...knew it was coming & was smiling the whole time,
Love,
Mr. Appleseed
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U2 is the best thing to ever happen to music... in my opinion.
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You know he got the cure...but then he went astray,
He used to stay awake
To drive the dreams he had away
He wanted to believe
In the hands of love...
His head it felt heavy
As he cut across the land
He went deeper into black
Deeper into white...he could see
The stars shine
Like nails in the night
He felt the healing
Healing, healing, healing
Hands of love
Like the stars shiny, shiny...
]from above.
He put his hands in the pocket
His finger on the steel
The pistol weighed heavy
His heart he could feel
Was beating, beating
Beating, beating oh my love
Oh my love, oh my love
Oh my love.
He saw the hands that build
Could also pull down....
The hands of love.
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best thing to happn 2 da world ws u2, 1 of da only bandz dat r ne gud.
bono does loads 4 peple, he needs mre respect
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