David Byrne Calls Out U2 2009-08-04 by Dave de Sylvia EMERITUS | 25 Comments | Legendary post-punk figure and Talking Head David Byrne has posted a blog calling into question the compatibility of U2's progressive humanitarian ideals with the elaborate stage show that has been constructed for their 360 European Tour.
Byrne wrote: "Mark E pointed out as we prepped for our show last night in Warsaw (at a not so big club/venue called Stodoła) that these undersized dates are in effect being subsidized by U2’s world tour. The promoter of these dates, and of much of the U2 stadium tour, is Live Nation, the global conglomerate. A venue like Stodoła could not possibly afford to pay for us, the catering, or even their local crew given the relatively small number of tickets to be sold here — and it’s not even an “exclusive” VIP-type venue. It’s not like they can charge $200 a seat and make up their losses that way — this is a standing room club… with a floor made of plywood. So in order to book our date, they must (we figure) be losing money now, then making it up with what they expect to earn on the upcoming U2 stadium dates.
"Those stadium shows may possibly be the most extravagant and expensive (production-wise) ever: $40 million to build the stage and, having done the math, we estimate 200 semi trucks crisscrossing Europe for the duration. It could be professional envy speaking here, but it sure looks like, well, overkill, and just a wee bit out of balance given all the starving people in Africa and all. Or maybe it’s the fact that we were booted off our Letterman spot so U2 could keep their exclusive week-long run that’s making me less than charitable? Take your pick — but thanks, guys!"
U2's tour has faced stern opposition from residents at several stops on its European run. Residents in Barcelona, the first stop on the tour, complained about noise levels after curfew. Residents around Croke Park in Dublin, where the band performed three shows in a four-night stretch, were persuaded to call off a roadblock protest following legal threats from promoter MCD.
http://journal.davidbyrne.com/2009/07/071409-budapest.html
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Tagged: U2
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Thank God someone with a brain has finally publicly called out those poser assholes. U2=most overrated and pretenious band ever?
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Although I am a fan of U2 musically (well, early U2, at least), I definitely am going to have to agree with Byrne on this one.
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^ pretty much. David Byrne is pretty stuck up as well.
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just a wee bit out of balance given all the starving people in Africa and all.
pwned.
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David Byrne is pretty stuck up as well.
Maybe. But, he's a musical genius, so I'll give him a pass.
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fucking hypocrites
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This article made my day. Fuck U2.
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Somebody had to do it sooner or later.
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Doesn't really matter who says it, now does it? Truth will always be truth.
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This article made my day. Fuck U2.
123
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all I want is to breathe
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david byrne
yeaaaaaaaaaaaa
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fuck U2. Ignorance is blind...or at least wearing sunglasses.
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Or maybe it’s the fact that we were booted off our Letterman spot so U2 could keep their exclusive week-long run
haha someones a little jealous...but ya i agree with him
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I hate U2 with a passion, especially that turd Bono. Kudos to David Byrne for pointing out how hypocritical and self serving he (and his band) is
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haha someones a little jealous...but ya i agree with him
Gotta give it to him, at least he admits it.
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it's not like he's the first person to call them out on it though
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Bono isn't the record holder...he is the record!
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"This article made my day. Fuck U2.
123"
456
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Although I am a fan of U2 musically (well, early U2, at least), I definitely am going to have to agree with Byrne on this one.
yes indeed
still gonna see them with muse though in september, and i'm kinda looking forward to seeing that stage, hypocritical as he may be
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While I really dig U2's 80s stuff and Achtung Baby, Bono is a cunt and they've really gone up their arses
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Bono isn't the record holder...he is the record!
Of the biggest piece of shit in the planet, he is
Yes, I saw that episode
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bono= direct descendent of jesus?
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Hey guys, Bono is always #1, never #2.
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bono!
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