It doesn’t matter how many artists Bono would “cede” “dominant rock star status to”. The list of people who could get up there and just fuckin’ take it from his puny ass is infinite. Green Day and U2 – Big Fuckin’ Deal.

Terrible. It was show and tell. From bonified rockstar Bono to BJ Armstrong and the boys…I felt bad for Green Day – They didn’t belong there…Think maybe the Neville Brothers or Fats shoulda been there instead? Some serious blues tunes – People who came back to the Big Easy? Katrina ruins NO and they have to go to Dublin to kick off the season at the most recognized place of devistation in the hurricanes path? Low Class.

do your research on why these 2 bands actually got involved in this show and cause to go along with it, then we’ll see if u can still make the same self ritious statement

Thanks Jesse, my bad – the charity work U2 is involved with might some more mold masks for the people who are still sleeping in puddles and wood rot. Half the city hasn’t returned, must’ve been the half that play instruments and music. Hope they return someday.

Two bands came out to support a city in need of some faith and support, and gave a rousing, spirited performance that I’m sure made everyone in attendance feel good – and we’re arguing about where they’re from? Ridiculous. I applaud both bands for trying to make a difference, any difference. Unless you’re involved in helping with the restoration of the once proud N’Awlins, I suggest keeping self-serving, asinine comments to yourself. Kudos to Bono, Billie Joe, and the rest of the boys.

As much as I hate to admit it – I agree with Sanchez.

“Rousing,” “Spirited,” come on… Are there two bands who define selling out in the 00’s more than Green Day and U2? Green Day, who after making a brilliant album about staying true to yourself in a world gone awry, who then sold songs from that album to Cingular, Yahoo, Deuce Bigalow 2 and whoever else could pay out the big bucks to license their music. U2 who has spent the past six years apologizing for being “led astray” in the 90s by recycling the same tired schtick over and over…. It’s fine that the proceeds go to charity, but let’s be honest…. the effort wasn’t all that altruistic. Monday night football is essentially a captive artist, and what two bands are currently in the studio. We should evaluate the irreverant esteem with which we regarding these “Idols” of Rock ‘n Roll. When it comes down to it–big egos aside–when you really just listen to that performance can you actually say that it’s good–let alone brilliant?

“Rousing,” “Spirited,” come on… Are there two bands who define selling out in the 00’s more than Green Day and U2? Green Day, who after making a brilliant album about staying true to yourself in a world gone awry, who then sold songs from that album to Cingular, Yahoo, Deuce Bigalow 2 and whoever else could pay out the big bucks to license their music. U2 who has spent the past six years apologizing for being “led astray” in the 90s by recycling the same tired schtick over and over…. It’s fine that the proceeds go to charity, but let’s be honest…. the effort wasn’t all that altruistic. Monday night football is essentially a captive audience, and which two bands are currently in the studio in desperate need of hits. We should evaluate the irreverant esteem with which we regarding these “Idols” of Rock ‘n Roll. When it comes down to it–big egos aside–when you really just listen to that performance can you actually say that it’s good–let alone brilliant?

C’mon, John!

I’m no big fan of either band but selling out? That’s so ‘94! Everybody’s got a song in a commercial. Everybody’s playing the biggest shows they can.

And needing attention and a hit? C’mon, man, get real. Last time I checked, there were the two biggest rock bands on the planet. Bono could poo all over a record and still have a #1 (see Vertigo).

At least these guys care about the world while all the (supposedly) “credible” musicians are making songs about making out or their favorite state. These guys are commercial AND political AND popular and, most importantly, they put thier money where their mouths are.

Call ‘em crappy but don’t question their credibility.

I’m torn on this one. I really do applaud U2 and Green Day for getting involved. Despite their commercial choices, they really are two of the most socially conscious bands at their level. On the other hand – it’s New Orleans. It’s Atlanta vs. New Orleans. I hate to draw race lines but where were the great black artists last night? The two blackest marktes in the country playing each other in one of the blackest cities in America. I don’t fault the bands for doing it. I fault the folks who made the call NOT to invite Kanye West…Diddy…Beyonce…any artist of color who shares the same rarified air as U2 and Green Day. Am I wrong?

I truly believe that U2 really cares about the World and are doing everything they can to help the Human Race. But why the fuck would I ever want to listen to their shitty shitty music?

The reason U2 were involved is because The Edge is a founder of Music Rising, an organization that has been collecting money to replace musical instruments and equipment for Gulf Coast musicians who lost theirs in the disaster. . . and U2 invited Green Day. Nothing to do with race or commercialism just involving people who want to give back to the area. So stow your cynicism and make a donation at http://www.musicrising.org.

to all those people out there who put down greenday and u2 for making a difference.let me ask u guys something what the f@%K did u do to help the people of new orleans?

That’s all great. But nobody can answer the question – why were no black artists involved in this? Are there NO black artists involved with charities for the Gulf Coast region? The Edge isn’t the only interested party. And this is coming from a guy who spent 3 weeks down there right after it happened.

Erma Thomas and Allen Touissant performed the national anthem. They were both black, from the looks of it. At least Barry Manilow didn’t sing… Guess the NFL and ESPN were apprehensive to put Cashmoney Millionaires on national worldwide television.

Also… they’re musicians. They play music, they care about music. They’re also extremely, extremely famous musicians who generate a lot of income. What are they supposed to do? I’m highly doubtful that Bono said to the booking agents “Yeah, we’ll play your game, but none of those colored folks.”

No one should give people shit for trying to better this community. I volunteered there for a month, the government isn’t doing anything, citizens have to take control to make change.

The song just wasn’t that good to warrant its continued airplay. It’s an 06 version of “We Are the World.”

I agree with ROG. Its fantastic that U2 and Green Day are doing work for N.O. but I kept help but get the whole white savior vibe from it all.

good song

Hey Rowr,

Thanks for your response. I’m not one of those who dons all the praise on indie artists for not selling out, while condeming “major label” artists for their decisions. That said, there is a point at which commerce trumps art, and IMHO both U2 and Green Day (especially Green Day) have crossed that line many times over. I love the 90’s U2, they were innovative, challenging, exciting, not always brilliant but always ingaged with their craft. Can’t you see their boredom now? Does anyone REALLY believe their last album was anything other than tired? I have a hard time believing that Bono or the Edge believe that. Green Day–what can I say? By the time they finished whoring out American Idiot to the highest bidder, I did indeed feel like we had all been caught “doing the propoganda.” What I’m saying is this, artists at this level need to be really careful with how they apporpriate their music and message. Given the high-profile nature of this performance I have a sincerely hard time believing that either of these bands did not consider the free PR before signing on to do the gig. They ARE NOT that altrusitic afterall. I merely wanted to point out that this utterly mediocre performance should be looked at critically, not lauded with praise simply because of who the bands are or what the night was (suppose) to represent.

(Need we bring up how empty such ceremonies have become in our culture? Does this grand celebration at the superdome while thousands of citizens are STILL without homes not recall images of George Bush on that friggin’ aircarrier in front of the Mission Accomplished sign? –The two are connected if you think about it. The signifier without the signified).

Hey Lobsters – guess ya’ crawled back out of yer boiling pot just to say some more stupid shit. Back in the sea ya’ dud.

whats wrong if green day pairs up with U2? both are great bands and together they sound even better! whats the big deal anyway?

Jim Morrison’s lost movie found…

http://video. googl e.com/videoplay?docid=23673110 73339650137&q=obscura&hl=en