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RattleandHum1988

Not sure how I feel about that article, the writer is making plenty of assumptions, especially on who the audience for this kind of stuff is. When it comes to Bono's need for relevancy he's right, the Top 40 doesn't contain any rock nowadays, but there's definitely still a market for it when it's done with a current sound and U2 is such a well oiled machine that there will always be a market for them as well.

I still don't think this managerial stuff will change much for U2. They were with Live Nation for 360 and look what they let them do, the biggest tour ever. Creatively U2 won't change, and probably most of the stuff that McGuiness did was beyond the eyes of the fans anyway.

JuJuman

11 years

I actually think the article has a point. They're ageing, I think decline is somewhat inevitable. They can still pull out some great music, and they will. But it won't be JT or AB again.

What worries me, and what the article implicitly acknowledges, is that there's no new U2. Yes, there's Coldplay. But U2 were already huge at 27. Who is 27, huge, and does rock n roll?

LikeASong

11 years

Originally posted by JuJuman:I actually think the article has a point. They're ageing, I think decline is somewhat inevitable. They can still pull out some great music, and they will. But it won't be JT or AB again.

What worries me, and what the article implicitly acknowledges, is that there's no new U2. Yes, there's Coldplay. But U2 were already huge at 27. Who is 27, huge, and does rock n roll?

That precise age is only hit by Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys' frontman), who was born in 1986, but Arctic Monkeys are much more "audience restricted" than U2 were with The Joshua Tree, and nowadays, audience is much more fragmented than it bas back in the 80s. There's no way Muse or Arctic Monkeys (only young rockers that could hold U2's crown in a sense) can pull out a song that appeals to the same amount of masses than were fascined with WOWY or Streets in 1987. No way. Rock is still appreciated by a big part of the music-consuming population, but it's not the main thing anymore. And both U2 and us have to deal with it.

AidanFormigoni

11 years

Originally posted by LikeASong:This might very well be the funniest thing I've read this month, and by far the funniest U2 thing I have read this year.

I mean I've been laughing out loud, alone at home, for almost half an hour.

http://www.atu2.com/achtoon/2013c/

Just...

This is just brilliant

RattleandHum1988

11 years

Originally posted by LikeASong:[..]

That precise age is only hit by Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys' frontman), who was born in 1986, but Arctic Monkeys are much more "audience restricted" than U2 were with The Joshua Tree, and nowadays, audience is much more fragmented than it bas back in the 80s. There's no way Muse or Arctic Monkeys (only young rockers that could hold U2's crown in a sense) can pull out a song that appeals to the same amount of masses than were fascined with WOWY or Streets in 1987. No way. Rock is still appreciated by a big part of the music-consuming population, but it's not the main thing anymore. And both U2 and us have to deal with it.

Even with other genres though. I'm not even of the opinion that something like this HAS to be rock, I just don't think there's been a song like that in the past number of years.

Granted I wasn't around when JT came out so I don't know how it felt, but things are so different now as well so it's hard to compare. Point is it's not like it used to be for sure.

BelgianBono

11 years

Originally posted by LikeASong:A bit harsh although they might have some points here and there: http://variety.com/2013/biz/news/management-shuffle-signals-end-of-u2s-beautiful-day-1200888718/

I actually agree with most of it...
I still think they sold the soul of U2.
And all the interviews we could read kinda suggest they lost the spark. (Waiting for God to walk in the room ; Not knowing which direction to go ; Deadline keeps getting pushed ;...)

But I'm starting to doubt Rock had died...
Yes, most of the charts are dominated by R&B, rap or pop.
But in Belgium, the StuBru chart has been dominated by Arctic Monkeys, Pearl Jam etc. for weeks now, so who knows...

And then anyway, who are the best artists LIVE ? Yes, the rockers. They are still the ones that sell out stadiums and really perform instead of Britney Spears or Miley Cyrus' ass.

U2 must focus on being relevant live.
And on record doing what U2 is best at : being U2.

patou2

11 years

Originally posted by BelgianBono:[..]
U2 must focus on being relevant live.
And on record doing what U2 is best at : being U2.

Amen

Buttons

11 years

Does anybody know where the Edge got his name from or why they call him The Edge ? I was thinking the other day its rather an unusual name to call someone, without a story behind it.

ahn1991

11 years

Originally posted by LikeASong:[..]

They were with Lenny Kravitz as well

[image]

Speaking of Lenny Kravitz, I just saw the Catching Fire today and his performance as Cinna was superb. In fact, I'd say that Catching Fire was a fantastic movie in general. Great entertainment value.

clover68

11 years