U2start.com | I can't believe U2 will ignore.. (spoilers)

Pops popularity is quite apparent as every thread on this site eventually turns into a Pop discussion. I always have to make sure i clicked on the right thread! Not complaining about it just making a point.

gurtholfin

9 years

You make many valid points about Pop and the tour - when it happened. I won't argue them although I disagree with the overall quality of the album - I can only think of Miami as a true clunker.

The point I'd make though is that the album/tour is now 18 years ago. The songs can live outside of the context of when they were created, how they were first received and who the band was at the time.

If the band wanted to play the songs, who would complain? The tour is mostly sold out and no one's gonna want a refund coz Gone was played.

I guess I'm saying that I don't believe that the songs aren't being played in North America because Pop was misunderstood 18 years ago or that the continent wasn't ready for it yet. Although that's true in and of itself.

When you listen to those songs within a U2 playlist, they fit fine and don't stand out as Euro or somehow different than all of the rest.

For whatever the reason, the band doesn't want to revisit them - if I had to guess, it's coz they were stung by it's reception at the time and haven't gotten past it. A lot of times, artists are too close to their own work and can't view it objectively.

Also on the North American reception front, it's not like they've been playing them at European or international shows - after Popmart, they pretty much disappeared altogether.

Too bad.

gurtholfin

9 years

Other than Staring of course.

Bloodraven

9 years

Originally posted by gurtholfin:For whatever the reason, the band doesn't want to revisit them - if I had to guess, it's coz they were stung by it's reception at the time and haven't gotten past it. A lot of times, artists are too close to their own work and can't view it objectively.

I agree with that.

---

I guess my thought process everytime I see Pop jumping into a discussion in any message board, is something like this:

Would it be wrong if they played lots/anything from Pop?
Off course not, why would it?

Would it be great if they played lots/anything from Pop?
For some fans yes, many others just don't care.

Do they have a reason why they should go out and play lots/anything from Pop?
Not at all.

Are they interested in playing lots/anything from Pop?
Aparently not.

Is there's something wrong with they not playing lots/anything from Pop?
Off course not, why would it?

In the end, either I like them to play lots/anything from Pop or not at all, it's -in Joey's words- a Moo Point.

gurtholfin

9 years

^ Agreed.

In the end, I'll be happy as long as the band is into what they're doing and put on a good show.

Pop is just this fan's wish. Nothing more.

Probably stems from my feelings of unfinished business that I didn't "get it" at the time and want a second chance at seeing/hearing some of the songs live.

u2_michaelc

9 years

was pop a miss or a hit? i really dont know why they leave it behind?

RattleandHum1988

9 years

Originally posted by u2_michaelc:was pop a miss or a hit? i really dont know why they leave it behind?

A miss. On the Popmart tour they were playing to half-empty stadiums in some places.

u2_michaelc

9 years

Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:[..]
A miss. On the Popmart tour they were playing to half-empty stadiums in some places.

fuck! excuse my french but i really did love popmart , why didnt people take pop on

cesar_garza01

9 years

While I do love Pop and the Popmart tour, I put myself in the band's shoes and maybe they still have very bad memories of that era, playing to half empty stadiums in the US, the media not understanding what they were trying to do, lemon malfunctions, the crowd booing Edge when he sang the Macarena (what the hell they were thinking?), etc. and they simply don't want to touch those songs again. A damn shame.

u2_michaelc

9 years

Originally posted by cesar_garza01:While I do love Pop and the Popmart tour, I put myself in the band's shoes and maybe they still have very bad memories of that era, playing to half empty stadiums in the US, the media not understanding what they were trying to do, lemon malfunctions, the crowd booing Edge when he sang the Macarena (what the hell they were thinking?), etc. and they simply don't want to touch those songs again. A damn shame.

i think by now though most fans want to see pop back! idk.

RattleandHum1988

9 years

Most fans do, but most of U2's audience every night aren't really the U2 fans we're talking about.

MattG

9 years

What they'd need to do to pull those shows off is make themselves harder to see. Don't do 5 nights (or even two) in any arenas...do one night in an arena, or even a theatre. Make tickets expensive. Make it so you're only there if you really, really want to be there. Not just because you love "Beautiful Day," or because "With Or Without You" makes you cry err'time.

It would alienate certain fans. "Why are these shows so hard to get to?" "Why aren't they doing this in a way that's more accessible to me!"

But it'd be the only way they'd really guarantee that the shows would be well received. Advertise them as shows full of rarities and it scares away casual fans.

I can't believe U2 will ignore.. (spoilers)

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