Ugh. You know, I used to be a massive U2 fan in the 80’s and 90’s, back when it at least seemed like they were a band of the people. But lately it is just seems that was all a schtick. U2 are as guilty as the promoters for todays ridiculous tickets prices. They’ve gone the way of the Stones.

Kurt, you know you are right. In a way. I was and still am a big U2 fan, it seems they have begun to completely sell out but they stopped being the band of the people after rattle and Hum. Achtung Baby, Zoorapa and the Zoo TV tour was their golden era. They were not necessarily the band of the people but their music was groundbreaking. They just got old. 12 years of further touring? Now that sounds a bit extreme to me.

FINALLY! the irish quartet will make some money!!!!! I wondered when they would be able to stop touring in a mini van all fighting over the same ZZ Top cd!

I agree with Tweeter and Kurt. U2 stopped taking risks and chances after Pop and are now primarily concerned with wanting to be the biggest. However, acts from The Beatles and Bob Dylan to David Bowie and Springsteen have proven that some of the best music comes when you stop worrying about how many stadiums you will be able to sell out.

My god U2 was my favorite band from 1985-1997. They really need to stop making music and just go away. I hate Bono with a passion now and honestly they haven’t made a good record in 17 years. I agree Kurt they are turning into the Stones…Ugh.

The only material worth listening to by the band dates back twenty years or more. They should retire and become farmers. That would be more respected then the music they’ve been putting out lately.

The only material worth listening to by the band dates back twenty years or more. They should retire and become farmers. That would be more respected then the music they’ve been putting out lately.

I agree that U2 seem to have gotten a little TOO excited in the big bucks, but to say that they’ve put out nothing but crap since Rattle & Hum is ridiculous. POP did suck, but the last two albums were great (I think record sales will back me up on that fact) and, if you say they’ve been washed up for 20 years, perhaps you should just admit that you’re not a fan and base your comments from that honest stand point. I look forward to the next album and can’t wait to see how Edge reaches his various effects pedals through his walker! :^)

The problem with fair weather fans is that no matter what the band does, they can’t win.

bono & the boys have secured their final contract. no other negotiations are necessary.
12 more years of touring, HA.
they’ll be older and grayer than they already are.
besides madonna’s deal with live nation this seems to be the 2nd largest.
ticket prices for has been artists as well as new talent, will be artificially inflated by live nation for years to come.
who’s going to pay ?

the lucrative golden parachutes have snuck in to the music business.
did they get 401k’s & health insurance too ?

U2 is set, good move! I cant wait for their new album and I cant wait for Guns n Roses Chinese Democracy! Both albums are going to rock!

Music Guy….I was not a fair-weather fan. I can say I was a diehard U2 fan for at least 15 years..I mean die-hard. But the U2 I fell in love with disappeared long ago. And I’m sorry, but HTDAAB was a weak album. I put it on a few weeks ago and had to stop. Bono’s voice is more squeely that on the original Party Girl single.

Everyones alaways hating on bono just cause its the cool thing to do. I lived How to Dismantle and All That YOu Can’t Leave Behind. U2 has always been a great band, they’ve just been different kinds of great throughout the years.

I can remember paying about 15 bucks to see U2 a couple of dcades ago. Guess that’s gone. But I must say that if any band deserves the riches, it’s U2. I must disagree with some of the prior posters. I believe that U2 has stayed true to their fans for the most part throughout their career. Yes, the put out their share of crap in the 90’s. Zooropa was their Reload, and Pop their St. Anger,but the last two were great and I look forward to the next. I just won’t be seeing them live anymore.

After the stock market crisis, 19 millon dollars sounds like 19 cents!

No band gains more respect amongst their peers than U2. It sucks to hear the same nonsense about comparing them to the Stones. People just dont get it. Their last tour I had a seat on the right side of the stage about 20 feet away from Bono and Edge; 80 bucks. Well fucking worth it. Leave Behind and Atomic Bomb were both great albums. Anyone who thinks they are gonna get some sort of post-punk sound out of this band a la War is just lost. They continue to stretch the boundaries of popular music and will do so on this latest release. And GOD FUCKING FORBID if they make money doing so.

I’m sick and tired of reading comments by any person under the age of 25 on this site stating 1 of 2 things.The first being that “old people” should quit making music and stop touring. The second is that musicians who make money are “sell outs”

It doesn’t matter how old a person is. If they can still perform and enjoy it and as long as people will pay money to hear it then WHO GIVES A FUCK !!!!! If you don’t want to buy the album or see the tour then DON’T. Go listen to whatever one hit wonders you people listen to and FUCK OFF !!!!!

Do you h

art is art. Money is money. The market determines price etc…

Good for anyone who makes any money at all, esp any artist doing
what they love.

entertainment is art also

so is basketball

so is dancing

so is makeup

etc…

If you don’t wanna go, don’t.

Paul, Dave, Larry, Adam, you are right about holding hands with the devil. What did you exchange? Hot ashes for trees, hot air for a cool breeze, cold comfort for change…?” You have no idea what you’ve traded for.

At the end of 2005,The Stones tour that year outgrossed U2 by a few million, so you know Bono`s ego won`t take that.U2 tix cost 160 bucks in 2005-06, expect U2 tickets next year to be at least 200 to 225 bucks.From here on in,U2`s motto is “show me the money”,while telling everybody else to help the poor & needy.

If you can’t afford the ticket prices, get a better job. I’m so sick of assholes who think talented people aren’t supposed to earn money. These guys have stayed true to their art while growing, anyone who thinks they haven’t made a good record in years apparently hasn’t grown.

Wow. People express their opinion and they are called assholes and told to fuck off. Glad to see that U2’s new breed of fans are so tolerant.

U2 fans are tolerant. It’s the young assholes on this site who wan’t every musician over a certain age to either die , retire, or make music for free who are intolerant.

Tom and Natch, you’re as extreme as the other side. nobody expects musicains to make “free music”. How about being reasonable with ticket prices? I ALSO thik my doctor is WAY overpriced—and I’m gonna complain about that too! If U2 charged $50 a ticket they would still be the over paid prima donnas that they are.

Tom and Natch, you’re as extreme as the other side. nobody expects musicains to make “free music”. How about being reasonable with ticket prices? I ALSO thik my doctor is WAY overpriced—and I’m gonna complain about that too! If U2 charged $50 a ticket they would still be the over paid prima donnas that they are.

Vox…You think their tickets are over priced. Fine. Here’s the difference between your doctor and Bono. You have to go your doctor ( or at least you should) So you have every right to bitch about their prices. But it’s your choice to go see Bono if you want to and if someone is willing to pay $50 then go right ahead. If not then don’t knock someone who would pay that amount.

Sorry for the outbursts, everyone. I haven’t been taking my meds recently and I’m having some bedwetting issues. Luckily, I’m praying to St. Bono to fix everything and I know he’ll come through.

We mock what we do not understand.

… and yes St. Bono will make it all right.

natch, I’m sorry, what the hell was i thinking comparing my dr. to Bono. I’ll never make that mistake again. And you know, now that I’ve read your scathing comments on the whole ticket thing—-I’ve decided you’re right! Bono’s tickets are really not that pricey. Sorry i did my own thinking there for a minute–when natch is right–natch is right. Could have your permission to think Bono is an overpaid prima donna? RSVP

It’s your choice and your perogotive to think anything that you want. Just like it’s your choice to pay their ticket prices or not. Simple as that.

Makes sense to delay the album until 2009 now.

Guns an Roses have anounced they are releasing Chinese Democracy in November. Even if the album is only good it will take all the headlines from now to Christmas. If it is great expect a behemoth of a release unseen in rock for a good decade due to the buzz and mystery generated on the album over the years

I’ve been a die hard since 83. Seen every tour since 84. Was a member of Propaganda (the old fan club) I paid my membership fee to get tix to the Atomic Bomb tour (Which was pretty much the same as the Leave Behind tour) and ended up spending the most money ever for the worst seats in the house. It was a horrible way to introduce my new wife to one of passions. Needless to say she didn’t get the whole experience and I found myself asking what the hell was I doing there. This band used to stand for something. Not so much anymore. I’m done with them.

U2 just need to put out a great album and then all of this won’t matter. If the new record is lackluster (like HTDAAB) AND they charge $150 a ticket, then it’s over.

REM, Black Crowes, AC/DC, Metallica, Oasis, Mudcrutch (and last year’s Springsteen) .. this has been a VERY good year for REAL Rock & Roll…let’s hope U2 keeps this momentum

Agreed- HTDAAB was very lackluster. Four years in the making and God knows how many producers and that is what they came up with? Soggy leftovers from ATYCLB? Unlike what Natch keeps arguing, most of the negative comments left here are not from under 25 years olds but from old time fans (such as myself) who wish U2 would go out on a limb again and take musical chances and risks rather than play it safe. That’s what made them so great in the 80’s and 90’s, before the $160 tickets for rehashes of the same old same old.

this is a rock band we’re talkin about here for christsake.
you people who are swearing your undying allegiance to support these guys are obviously willing to pay, no matter what the cost.
great.
if bono would donate some money out of his fortune, upcoming tours, record sales, etc. and quit asking for handouts for the poor downtrodden 3rd world I’d lighten up.
until then, he will probably see the people willing to buy his koolaid dwindling.

First things first, HTDAAB is a great record. Far superior than ATYCLB. Bono’s vocals on that record were horrible! Even the band admitted to that. The overall production was weak but I’ll admit still good songs like Beautiful Day, Wild Honey, New York, When I look at the World, Stuck in a Moment. HTDAAB though found Bono singing with that vigor and wide eyed youthfulness he had on the early records and the band finally got its balls back with good production and a more gritty and grander sound. Listen to All because of You, A Man and A Woman (my personal favorite) Miracle Drug, City of Blinding Lights, Sometimes You can’t Make it On your Own, . U2 are in a place now where they are only trying to write great songs. We’re not gonna see Achtung,Zooropa, and Popmart. They did it with the first two being among their best. They want to be four guys playing music in a room with great tunes. Thats their deal. Get over it! The irony of all this is that the Elevation tour was far better than the atomic bomb tour. the performances were just better and Bono found his voice back while on that tour and wasn’t looking tired, stressed or out of shape like he was on the Atomic Bomb tour.

Final point. So what if they are making money?! Thats what you’re supposed to do when you create something and put it out there. If its good and people want it, the band should get payed for it. It’s their work!!! And who the hell is anybody to judge them when they have done so much on the activist side and with the issues of the day. More than any of us on this stupid page. why should they give their money out or a big portion of it? Any philanthropist will tell you that it is ludicrous to do so and charity should be a collective effort and the best charity is to not just give people money but to give them the means to help themselves which I think u2 are doing with the RED campaign and Edge’s benefit for New Orelans and their other work over the years. And honestly who has the right to judge them when we don’t know what they give in secret or in public. They deserve all their success and all their efforts come from a genuine, heartfelt place, even when they miss the mark (sometimes horribly). that’s why people love them and will tolerate their mistakes, myself, a lifelong fan included.

Sorry, I too think HTDAAB was weak. If you think otherwise, more power to you, but that won’t change my opinion or many other’s that have commented so far. I don’t think it should result in U2 fascists going nuts and trying to shout other people down for voicing their OPINION, which everyone has the right to have. To quote your messiah, “we’re one but we’re not the same.” And, sue me, but I loved Pop and would take it any day of the week over their last two albums.

MMD, you can’t sell me on Man and a Woman, or, especially, All Because of You. That song sucks like a Hoover. For the record, ATYCLB was infinitely better than HTDAAB.

“U2 are in a place now where they are only trying to write great songs.” Right, “trying” being the operative word. Back in the day, they were also succeeding. And if the songs you listed off of Atomic Bomb (appropriate title) qualify as great, you need to retire your ears.

M1,
I have no problem with your opinion. I have admitted in my post that they never hit the mark all the time, whether its a performance, song, or record, etc (Bono hanging out with Helena
Christiansen and Penelope Cruz in the French Riviera looking like a rich fat bastard. What was he thinking?!). But even through their mistakes or questionable decisions, their music comes from a very sincere place and ends up sounding brilliant even through their bad records. I think even the most dubious of fans can agree to that.

And no, Bono is no Messiah. Just a great songwriter and singer who uses his fame and fortune for positive ends and various causes. Pop is actually my least favorite record. More power to you on that M1, but to me it was just overblown and half baked. Some good ideas , a couple of really good tunes like Discoteque, Please, Already Gone, If God Would send His Angels. Once again the band even admit to this when they said they had booked the tour without finishing the record and had to rush the deadline. In one instance Adam’s bass was either out of tune or hitting the wrong notes on Please, which eventually was corrected on the remix single (one of my favorite off the record actually).
So yeah M1, Thats my OPINION and I hope you see that there’s at least some validity to my little diatribe as I’m sure there is to yours.

Come on Berry. Listen to his voice on ATYCLB. It’s like he’s losing it. Some good songs for sure but Bono’s voice was a bit on the fritz and he got that back on HTDAAB. Man and A Woman is a classic underappreciated track, sorry you’re just wrong there. But if you can’t get into it thats cool. Too bad but it’s your call.

And David Evans (very clever dear boy) I’ll stand by those tunes on HTDAAB any day over ATYCLB. My ears are more intact than you’ll ever know.

Fair enough. I used to have a total love relationship with U2 that is now love-hate-love, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the new release. Hopefully we will both be pleased. I will give you that even watered down U2 is better than 90% of what gets radio play nowadays.

Totally. Love -hate-love, I can understand for sure. Btw what did you think of Windows in the Sky? I dug that one.

attention mmd,
you sound so passionate…
since they created the music for free why do they have to charge for you to listen to it ?
you obviously will pay.
they don’t care about you personally.
are they paying your rent ?
you sound as though you want them to continue their own version of humane contributions,(tax writeoffs) so you, living vicariously thru them can share some of the warm and fuzziness.
make you feel complete.
“…all of their efforts come from a genuine, heartfelt place”…
HA HA HA.

Window in the Skies really grew on me. I was at the final Vertigo show in Hawaii and I loved it live (and loved the video that went along with it). I liked Electrical Storm and The Hands that Build America alot too. Still not a big fan of HTDAAB but I do admit that it had its moments, like Original of the Species.

Backstagepass,

You need to relax bro. I am passionate about U2 just like any fan is passionate about their favorite band. If you read my posts I criticize them pretty heavily as well where it matters… with their music!

And when have they created music for free? What are you talking about there?

And honestly who the hell are you to make the assumption that I live vicariously through them? I don’t worship these guys but I think they have written some of the best songs in the last 20 years.

And I feel that all their efforts do come from a genuine and heartfelt place. Sure it sounds cheesy, but they’re as passionate about a new song just as they were about their first. How else could they carry on for this long and still produce great songs? The quality of their tunes proves it even on a bad day. All this doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to their mistakes or their bullshit. There’s always gonna be bullshit running around in their camp or any other camp for that matter. If you actually read my posts I listed quite a few of them. I think on the whole you put up their resume with any other band and no one can compare on a musical or socially conscious level.

M1,
Windows grew on me also but a good indication of where they’re going, but who knows with them, right? I’m psyched for the new one. Something good should come about with Eno, Lanois, and Lillywhite at the helm. We’ll see.

mmd,
you’re all over the place.
first you’re talking about them making money and that it’s not anybodys business to question them at all ?
then why don’t they stay in ireland ?
they create the music for free, yes.
in their living rooms, the shower, wherever.
the marketing of this so called product is what costs.
why don’t U2 do free shows or charge $10 bucks ?
they certainly could do a whole tour and not suffer too bad.
minimal sound and lights and cut out all of the bloated production and just play the music ?
at $150 per ticket you could take 70 seats and leave 10 grand at every stop on the tour for local charity.
now that’s groundbreaking and inventive.
PS
I’m very relaxed.

I’m not all over the place but it seems like you are. I never said anywhere that “they make money and
that it’s not anybody’s business to question them at all ?” When did I say that?! If you read my post I did question them and I did criticize them. I can praise a band and criticize at the same time, especially if they are my favorite band of all time. Where’s the fault in that?! If you actually were relaxed and thought rationally you would understand what I’m saying.

Also, I happen to be a musician and i can tell you to make a record and just being in a band takes A LOT of cash, even if its independent. Its not just singing in the shower or a living room. And you’re calling me naive and overly passionate?!

Sure, I would personally never pay 150 dollars for a show unless i knew I would be getting worthwhile seats. even then it seems exorbitant. But honestly there are less worthy acts who charge a hell of a lot more and do not put on a half decent show as U2 or have half decent songs as U2.

lastly, They want to put on ashow for an audience who DEMANDS it. And that takes cash as well. Lights and all. If you want them to cut all that out then get a bootleg dvd or video of them playing a small club from the 80’s.

PS
I don’t live in Ireland

one of the problems with you generation Y’rs is that whenever somebody questions you or your motives you lash out and tell them they don’t know anything.

“Final Point. So what if they are making money?! That’s what you’re supposed to do when you create something…”
really ?
you wrote that didn’t you ?
at what rate do you charge ?
what is fair ?

what about the poor U2 fan who can’t afford the ticket price ?
are they less passionate ?

you can praise and criticize at the same time ?
but I can’t ?
you’re intolerance is showing.

I saw U2 on their first tour of the US when their biggest hit was I will follow.
I think they played it twice.
also, I don’t demand anything from U2.
this whole dialogue started about the money so you keep paying, sucker.

It’s pretty simple people.

If you like whatever U2 are doing currently music wise and think they are worth what they are charging for tickets , and you want to see them live… go see them and buy the album.

If you think U2 are past their prime or rehashing tha same old sound. or, if you think they are not worth the current ticket prices … then don’t go see them or buy the album.

Backstagepass,

First of all you don’t know me enough to call me a generation X’r or Y’r or whatever. Secondly you’re taking my words completely out of context.

What I said verbatim was, “So what if they are making money?! Thats what you’re supposed to do when you create something and put it out there. If its good and people want it, the band should get payed for it. It’s their work!!!” That goes for a song, a product, an invention whatever any one in any profession creates or services rendered. The context of that statement was that we are living in a generation and world in general where music is taken and expected to be taken for free. That hurts artists big and small. Its great if you wanna be subversive like Radiohead (who can afford to do that), but ultimately the artist has to be paid fairly for copy written work. The free distribution of music ultimately hurts the artist at the lowest level.

U2 is a band who has worked incredibly hard over the years for their success so why should they not deserve their spoils? If you wrote With or Without You or One, wouldn’t you want and feel deserved of all the money it has generated past, present and future? They wrote it so they deserve it. And that goes for any band.

Now I agree there’s a problem with the industry and high ticket prices, etc. I can’t remember the last time I went to a huge show of a major act. Oh wait, I’m sorry it was the free U2 concert in Brooklyn under the NYC skyline for HTDAAB. One of the best shows I’ve seen. But then how do you explain fans who expect and want to pay and go see a band like U2? They’re all suckers? Maybe they’re just people who really love the band and at the end of the day thats what really matters. It’s not like they’re the Police who just did a greatest hits tour, charging upwards of $300 a pop. U2 keep inventing and creating and offer their fans something new at each album for better or for worse. And the fans(poor and rich) demand it, be it a record or a show.

Thirdly, you accuse me of lashing out at people? I’m defending one side of the argument which is completely valid and if anyone reads my post, I’m not lashing out at anyone. Read your own words, “you can praise and criticize at the same time ?
but I can’t ?
you’re intolerance is showing.don’t demand anything from U2.
this whole dialogue started about the money so you keep paying, sucker.”

When did you ever praise them in your argument?! Let all the readers read what you said and they wont find a single word of praise for the band from your words. I’m being intolerant? Read my posts with M1. We disagreed but that correspondence showed anything but intolerance. You’re the one just “lashing out” at the band and me. And I never said you couldn’t criticize them. You’re being very obtuse and taking this debate a little too personally. But then again its music so I don’t blame you. Maybe I am too.

And another thing. I aint no sucker. If something sucks I wont give it the time of day, and there’s plenty of U2 stuff that I haven’t purchased. At the same time if they want to reap the spoils of music they worked so hard to create and promote, who are you to say they shouldn’t? Its a fact that U2 as a band, with their music, with their global iconic status, and their business savvy are envied and admired by every band out there, indie or otherwise.

That’s true, Chris, but where’s the fun in that? Just like people are going to vote for Obama or they are going to vote for McCain (or one or two might vote for Nadar). But they are still going to debate on why they are voting that way.

im one of the newer generation U2 fans. the first U2 album that i actually listened to was All that You Can’t Believe and i enjoy that one very much. and recently i found out how much i like How To Dismantle and Atomic Bomb. for some of you who think that U2 just sucks now…well the “Times Have Changed”. the band isnt going to sound the same for 20 years. bands change their sound. they have to. their older music is a different era, so if you like that more, than go ahead listen to that and just dont listen to their newer stuff. then about ticket prices…yeah sure they’re pricy (idk, i havent really checked it out) but so what. SAVE UP! and if you cant with this hard economic time we’re in…save $20 for their Tour DVD or im sure you could probably find video’s of their performance.
PS: CANT WAIT FOR THE NEW ALBUM!!!!

I´ve been a U2 fan since 1989 and I´ve been following their career with all their reinventions for all those years. I have to say that I´ve never been disappointed by any album they have published up to now. Every record has those moments that are really intense and stirring and this is the reason why I still love U2: Their heart and soul always comes across whether they choose experimental sounds like in the nineties or a more “traditional” direction.

U2 always take the risk to lose a part of their fans because of their changes and this is a very courageous thing to do. They could also take the easiest way to repeat the same old formula for twenty years or so…

When I think of the last two records I don´t regard them as a “sell-out”, because songs like “Elevation” and “Vertigo” are still edgy enough to prove the big difference between U2 and 90 percent of the other stuff that is played in the radio. And during “Kite” and “Sometimes…” Bono reveals such very private matters like the disease and death of his father to millions of people he doesn´t know. Does he have to do that? Is such a serious theme a safe possibility to make millions? I mean, in some moments Bono screams the soul out of his body and this is what is called art in my definition. Revealing true emotions is a very sincere way to create something outstanding. So I agree with some of you that U2 deserve the money for those great songs.

There´s no need for U2 to retire as long as their music has enough passion and energy to move people. I´m looking forward to another twelve years of U2 tours!

Wave the flag, Bono, it’s worth, they give you back ca$h, play your little jukebox, sell the youth to 40 years olds, give us your moving church stand messages, but just censored and fill it with commercials. Every five years launch some songs, maybe some are OK, most of it not, because it’s missing SOUL, washed away with champagne, villas and corporate decisions, and take the money if they will pay, and they always will. World is changing isn’t it…

I’m totally going to download their next album from rapidshare.

Let’s make luxury history.