i will follow

I pretty much knew what I was getting myself into when I went to see Bono yesterday. I knew that there were to be two interviewers, one to discuss music and the other to discuss worldly events. I also knew that most of the tickets went to U2 mailing list members. I knew I was to be surrounded by fan boys and girls.

I got to the venue a bit early. Bono was supposed to start at 4:00 and doors were supposed to open at 3:30. I arrived at about 3:00. The place was already packed. Several people looked like they had been there for several hours. The auditorium holds 500 people and I bet there were close to 300 by the time I arrived. They pulled me out of the line right away and told me that I would have a spot in the front row. That was both a blessing and a curse.

When I got to my seat I was surrounded. On my right were 8 or 10 press photographers. I mean, serious papparazzi types. One was going on about how he didn't see "the limo or the nanny" so I didn't think that Bono had arrived yet. They all had huge bags of gear and basically encircled me with their battery packs. I felt like I was in a makeshift bunker.

I was happy to have a shield from the loonies, though. On my left were two girls who were speechless due to being so close to their hero. One looked at me in and said with her giddiest tone -

"Are you nervous?"
"Nervous?" I asked
"I mean, we're so close!"

I obviously wasn't excited enough to be here.

Bono then came out to a deafening ovation. He was dressed in an unkempt brown sportscoat, clunky boots and a backwards Fidel Castro-type baseball cap. He was also looking mighty smug.

The first series of questions were all about his efforts to relieve African debt. I don't claim to be an expert on African debt. I do, however, have a pretty good understanding of it from a couple of years of debate topics. Bono, it seems, is very sincere in his efforts. He isn't, however, very well versed in the subject. The interviewer would cite a fact or figure and Bono would enthusiastically agree. He didn't really present any of his own ideas. He just nodded along.

The crowd seemed to be lulled to sleep by the subject. When the topic switched to his musical endeavors it was suddenly like being at a circus. Any time Bono would as much as mention a song title it would be greeted with whoops and cheers. When he took off his jacket to reveal a very non-exciting green sweater I thought several gals were going to pass out. Seriously the biggest dose of over the top fandom, the type that makes me completely insane.

Some interesting bits culled from his comments --

* The Edge doesn't really read music or tab. He plays everything from muscle memory. That's why they can't play much from "Boy" these days.

* Bono really seems to believe that they're "the best fucking band on the planet." He said that in one form or another at least three times.

* Bono thinks that God likes rock music much more than gospel because gospel artists "can't tell the truth, man." Rock musicians "tell it like it is" and God doesn't want to be patronized.

* Two groupies stole his lyrics for "October" before they went into the studio to record the album. He claims he pretty much made them up on the spot. I guess that would explain "Gloria."

* He wants to sell the Lemon from the PopMart tour. Let him know if you can use it.

* He just recently got that their name was a bad pun for "you too." He feels better, though, because the Beatles are a bad pun, too.

* If he can be remembered for one song he would like it to be "Kite" from "All That You Can't Leave Behind." The crowd went apeshit when he said that. One girl was literally crying.

* He thinks The Edge is the greatest guitarist of his generation.

* Their new album sounds to him "like a buzzsaw."

They then opened the floor to questions. The questions, however, were pretty much non-existant. Instead they were idol worshipping statements. One girl got to dance with him, one guy bummed a smoke, several could barely speak. It was entertaining, at least.

I had a very fun chat with one of the girls who was working the event while I was waiting for the elevator. Nice to find another slice of sanity amongst the madness. I'm glad I went, I just think I was out of my league.

Posted by mikewolf at March 17, 2003 02:13 PM