Genuine question. I’ve always been fairly indifferent to them myself. I like some of their singles, but never felt motivated enough to buy any of their albums, apart from the Best of 1980-1990 singles compilation. When I did try one or two of their albums they weren’t unpleasant but just a bit dull and samey.
But over the last four or five years a big backlash seems to have built up around them.
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?
A great song about the futility of war and violence that doesn't take sides. Ditto Zombie by the cranberries
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?
Posted: 24 Sep 2025, 13:59
by Council Scum
Bungo wrote: ↑24 Sep 2025, 13:50
Not sure I've seen it in the last few years? I'm sure it used to be much greater when they were more in the public eye.
The most popular bands/artists always seem to attract the largest and most vitriolic criticism. In the days of regular band/album/song etc related polls, the same bands always used to figure in the upper reaches of both best and worst band categories.
Bono's activism has also attracted much attention and criticism, however well intentioned.
I do find it funny though that so many that criticise really know very little/nothing apart from the Joshua Tree hits from nearly 40 years ago. Not what you'd call 'well informed'.
It's probably the fact they constantly go on about helping the needy and then do things like buy a hotel and make a fortune off of it, when asked if they could help homelessness in Ireland by using the hotels empty rooms (after they made a big deal about the homeless in Ireland) got told to fuck off, or the begging us and Governments to help with third world debt, whilst they moved their affairs' abroad, to avoid paying tax in Ireland, the usual completely hypocritical "do as I say not as I do" especially when they can afford too and the people they are asking can't.
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?
Posted: 24 Sep 2025, 13:57
by goose
Sunday, bloody sunday.
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?
Posted: 24 Sep 2025, 13:55
by Bungo
RBshorty wrote: ↑24 Sep 2025, 13:53
Are they still dogding/avoiding the Tax Man.?
I had to read that twice. Dogging the taxman would be a new and quite novel way to side-step tax!
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?
Posted: 24 Sep 2025, 13:53
by RBshorty
Are they still dogding/avoiding the Tax Man.?
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?
Posted: 24 Sep 2025, 13:50
by Bungo
Not sure I've seen it in the last few years? I'm sure it used to be much greater when they were more in the public eye.
The most popular bands/artists always seem to attract the largest and most vitriolic criticism. In the days of regular band/album/song etc related polls, the same bands always used to figure in the upper reaches of both best and worst categories.
Bono's activism has also attracted much attention and criticism, however well intentioned.
I do find it funny though that so many that criticise really know very little/nothing apart from the Joshua Tree hits from nearly 40 years ago. Not what you'd call 'well informed'.
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?
Posted: 24 Sep 2025, 13:47
by honky cat
The English Welsh one from Barking became an Irish citizen recently. Maybe thats why.
Yes they've got a bit of the Linekers, being a great musician, footballer, actor doesn't make you some sort of wise guru on the problems of the world. More likely have accepted cash to push certain agendas
It's a shame as I think they're an exceptional band. The likes of Oasis don't come close.
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?
Posted: 24 Sep 2025, 13:33
by violator
I haven't ever really listened to the first three albums, I like the next run of albums up to and including Zooropa, but the stuff after that one is pretty forgettable for me.
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?
Posted: 24 Sep 2025, 13:31
by Takashi Miike
dm wrote: ↑24 Sep 2025, 13:21
Genuine question. I’ve always been fairly indifferent to them myself. I like some of their singles, but never felt motivated enough to buy any of their albums, apart from the Best of 1980-1990 singles compilation. When I did try one or two of their albums they weren’t unpleasant but just a bit dull and samey.
But over the last four or five years a big backlash seems to have built up around them.
it's not them, it's the egomaniac twat front man who is quite happy to hang around every shitbag politician, vermin organisation (un, who, wef, etc) or billionaire, and push whatever agenda they ask him to support. and I bought a lot of their albums in the distant past, I doubt the little cսnt gives a single shit about any negativity towards him. he must be a distant relative of the dwarf
Re: Why the big backlash against U2 in recent years?