Originally posted by u2met86i'm usually not even bothered when I read criticism of U2, especially by yet another clearly misinformed celebrity / artist who just wants to sound intelligent by ripping on someone famous & respected.
i must say, though, after reading the criticism of 1) the Arcade Fire about U2 & Oasis' ambition and 2) the Pet Shop Boys about U2 benefit concerts, i find myself, well... amused. very. very. amused. i don't think i even need to explain, but one may forget that...
U2 let the Arcade Fire open up for them on a few shows on the Vertigo Tour. More importantly, U2 used their hit "Wake Up" as the introduction song to all 131 Vertigo Tour shows around the world, spanning 2 years. Thousands of people now know of the Arcade Fire only because they have asked the question, "what's the artist and name of that song that opens up U2's concerts?" U2 has given them more exposure than their record label's marketing department ever will. (of course, this is probably not important to them at all, given the criticism on music marketing, they probably don't want to get bigger than they are). Wake Up is even on the Chicago DVD. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that entitles the Arcade Fire to millions of copies worth of royalties.
U2 allowed Pet Shop Boys to take possibly the most powerful song ever written (Where The Streets Have No Name) and absolutely butcher it with their cover rendition, turning it into a eurotrash pop number and mixing it with "I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You." The snippet doesn't even fit. Why'd they do it? Apparently out of jest, to show that the two lines are delivered in a similar manner. U2 also allows them to take this piece of crap and play it live to this day.
Yet both bands feel the need to go on public record and criticize a hand that has fed them quite generously.
Interesting, and curious...
Originally posted by redguitaronfireYeah, absolutely right. Both bands remind me of Henry Rollins, who became number 1 anti-U2, because Brian Eno didn't want to work with him.
Originally posted by u2met86
....
U2 let the Arcade Fire open up for them on a few shows on the Vertigo Tour. More importantly, U2 used their hit "Wake Up" as the introduction song to all 131 Vertigo Tour shows around the world, spanning 2 years. Thousands of people now know of the Arcade Fire only because they have asked the question, "what's the artist and name of that song that opens up U2's concerts?" U2 has given them more exposure than their record label's marketing department ever will. (of course, this is probably not important to them at all, given the criticism on music marketing, they probably don't want to get bigger than they are). Wake Up is even on the Chicago DVD. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that entitles the Arcade Fire to millions of copies worth of royalties.
....
Originally posted by Angel_or_DevilYeah it seems odd that Arcade Fire would say something like that after u2 has given them so much exposure. But then again if it was written, there will always be doubt over its truthfulness. Authors/writers/journalists whatever you want to call them often have a habit of twisting the truth and taking things out of context to make people interested in their story. People are more interested in controversial and shocking material than simple nice stories.
I don't understand those who genuinly are against u2. Their music rock, I dont believe they are over-rated in any way, they are not purposefuly attention seeking (I dont think) and they try to 'Help the world" (I know that sounds korny but you know what I mean).
Originally posted by dermottferry07If you slag a band as big as U2, you will get your name in the paper, and people will read about you and become aware of you, thats all it is, a way of getting yourself out there.
Originally posted by dermottferry07If you slag a band as big as U2, you will get your name in the paper, and people will read about you and become aware of you, thats all it is, a way of getting yourself out there.