“I’D LIKE TO THANK PAUL McGUINNESS and U2 for their patience… Without U2 I’d be a crank in the pub. In fact, with U2 I am a crank in the pub!”
These were Bono’s words in his acceptance speech for the Humanitarian Award at the 2003 Meteor Awards, which took place at The Point Depot in Dublin on Monday evening.
Patrick Lynch reports for U2log.com.
In his speech, Bono announced that the 100,000 EURO prize money would be split between GOAL and CONCERN, two established Irish charities that have carried out relief work in Africa for well over twenty years.
Commenting on the sum of money involved, Bono mentioned the fact that it is the equivalent of 273 years’ salary for some of the people represented by his causes.
The award was presented to the singer by bad boy Irish actor and Hollywood success story Colin Farrell. In acknowledging receipt for the presentation, Bono commented that some of the Drop The Debt people were after Farrell to “pay his outstanding bills at [Irish nightclub] Renards.”
Before the presentation, a short film compilation of Bono’s relief efforts and meeting with heads of state was played. Included were tributes from Bob Geldof, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and Bill Clinton.
Collectively, U2 later beat off the competition by a number of Irish groups including Ash and JJ72 to pick un the award for Best Group. Bono acknowledged the greatness of the other nominees by saying this year it was a little bit more nervous for U2 than others. Edge reiterated that winning Best Group is what matters, as “that is what we are, a group.” Meanwhile Larry admitted “awards from our hometown are always an extra bit special,” whereas Adam used the opportunity to thank Sheila Roche.
The band also entered the pressroom for a conference. The questions mainly fell to Bono. Asked about the peace crisis in the north of Ireland and the impending war in Iraq, he refocused on the issues close to his own heart and asked, “What about the war on AIDS? Is the life of an African person — a black person — worth less?”
Bono also had a go at one tabloid journalist for alluding to rumours that he had bought a new pad in New York. Before eventually conceding that the tabloids are now running helpful features on the debt relief and aids crisis issues that Bono has been raising, he confirmed that U2 never were about being fodder for the tabloids.
Asked about their remaining goals after reaching yet another height in their career with the award successes, Edge said he would like to play for a winning Mexican football team, whereas Larry said he’d like to be acknowledged as the drummer and musician that he is and not “just the other fella!” in the group. Adam said he’d like to keep on pushing U2 to see how far it can go.
For the final award of the night Bono was onstage again. This time to present the Lifetime Achievement award to his peer and friend, Bob Geldof. “Geldof wrote the rulebook for what U2 do. He writes about the blood and vinegar of life, he is a true poet and a true Dub,” said Bono.
The evening ended with Geldof taking to the stage to reform with his legendary Irish band The Boomtown Rats for a once off set.
Other awards of the evening went to Mundy (who Bono lost out to for Best Male singer), Gerry Fish and the Mudbug Club, Carly Hennessey, John Spillane and Luke Thomas, while the Red Hot Chilli Peppers did well in the International Categories.
Performing acts on the night included Brian Kennedy, Sinead O’Connor, Alabama Three, Tom Jones and Simply Red.
Photos of Bono and Farrell posing in the photo press room and a full transcript of the ten minute press conference will be available within the next few days.
The event is aired this Wednesday on Ireland’s Network 2 TV on between 9-11.15pm.
hmm splitting the money for two charities, lets see those people who bash bono for spending millions on luxury items, but nothing on charity pipe up now, this is the first time i have heard of him pubicly doing it, but i’ve heard stuff about him doing things quitely.
hmm splitting the money for two charities, lets see those people who bash bono for spending millions on luxury items, but nothing on charity pipe up now, this is the first time i have heard of him pubicly doing it, but i’ve heard stuff about him doing things quitely.
amen umaar m.!
amen umaar m.!
What’s a “nark”?
What’s a “nark”?
wow, looks like larry wants some spotlight action, time to pick up a guitar and sing a song buddy 🙂 edge can drum look at that r&h era photo, and larry can play guitar, as shown in the pop booklet hehe
wow, looks like larry wants some spotlight action, time to pick up a guitar and sing a song buddy 🙂 edge can drum look at that r&h era photo, and larry can play guitar, as shown in the pop booklet hehe
Woohoo Mundy won! He’s about the only guy I don’t mind beating Bono, he’s awesome. He gave us all (the crowd) a box of chocolates at a gig in Limerick just before Christmas last year!
Woohoo Mundy won! He’s about the only guy I don’t mind beating Bono, he’s awesome. He gave us all (the crowd) a box of chocolates at a gig in Limerick just before Christmas last year!
it doesn’t mention that mic christopher (RIP) won best album. he was fantastic and is sorely missed by everyone involved in the real irish music scene. check out his album Skylarking.
it doesn’t mention that mic christopher (RIP) won best album. he was fantastic and is sorely missed by everyone involved in the real irish music scene. check out his album Skylarking.
I must admit Mundy is pretty awesome. He’s very capable of entertaining a crowd, and I quite enjoyed his performance at the Galway Arts Festival last year. I also think it’s more in the spirit of the Meteor Awards, encouraging new and young artists to better themselves. Here’s a piccie: http://this.is.not.bow.ie/pics/mundy/gaf/07.jpg
To be honest, Im surprised at Mic Christpher winning the award and feel its more of a sentimental vote than anything else. The last time I saw the Mary Janes was their last gig ever in Whelan’s, which was great, but I dont think the Mary Janes ever got the attention they deserved while Mic was alive. Godspeed Mic.
I must admit Mundy is pretty awesome. He’s very capable of entertaining a crowd, and I quite enjoyed his performance at the Galway Arts Festival last year. I also think it’s more in the spirit of the Meteor Awards, encouraging new and young artists to better themselves. Here’s a piccie: http://this.is.not.bow.ie/pics/mundy/gaf/07.jpg
To be honest, Im surprised at Mic Christpher winning the award and feel its more of a sentimental vote than anything else. The last time I saw the Mary Janes was their last gig ever in Whelan’s, which was great, but I dont think the Mary Janes ever got the attention they deserved while Mic was alive. Godspeed Mic.
definitely not a sentimental vote. it’s an incredible album. much better than the mary janes stuff i think. well done to mundy too. hopefully it won’t be too long before he and damien and the frames and kittser and gemma and nina and emmett tinley and paddy casey get the recognition they deserve.
definitely not a sentimental vote. it’s an incredible album. much better than the mary janes stuff i think. well done to mundy too. hopefully it won’t be too long before he and damien and the frames and kittser and gemma and nina and emmett tinley and paddy casey get the recognition they deserve.
Drifting awfully, I know, sorry about that. The Frames were amazing at the Galway Arts Festival, obviously playing a home crowd, however, they always seem to have a hard time getting their audience going outside of Ireland. Maybe I’ve just seem them at the wrong venues or something. They definitely seem to have grown after some of them left. They’re a lot more together now, and a bit more aggressive, which is good. All (small) Irish bands seem to have such a hard time breaking through these days, kinda makes me wonder why.
Drifting awfully, I know, sorry about that. The Frames were amazing at the Galway Arts Festival, obviously playing a home crowd, however, they always seem to have a hard time getting their audience going outside of Ireland. Maybe I’ve just seem them at the wrong venues or something. They definitely seem to have grown after some of them left. They’re a lot more together now, and a bit more aggressive, which is good. All (small) Irish bands seem to have such a hard time breaking through these days, kinda makes me wonder why.
None of them have been able to grab my interest anyway. Haven’t heard a single original note (but then, I haven’t heard much). Liked some stuff off the Frames’ first album, on Island Records. U2, Gav, Sinead – still the holy trinity for me. Oh… and Cathal Coughlan, of course. He can be Satan. 🙂
None of them have been able to grab my interest anyway. Haven’t heard a single original note (but then, I haven’t heard much). Liked some stuff off the Frames’ first album, on Island Records. U2, Gav, Sinead – still the holy trinity for me. Oh… and Cathal Coughlan, of course. He can be Satan. 🙂
I saw the Frames open for the New Pornographers in a hole in the wall club in Washington DC. I was in the first row and didn’t have the slightest clue who they were. Anyway, they were terrific – won me over at least. I enjoyed them even more than the main act. The violinist is phenomenal.
In other news, glad to see Larry and Adam have emerged. Maybe if Larry wants more face time he should, I don’t know, show up more often. 🙂
I saw the Frames open for the New Pornographers in a hole in the wall club in Washington DC. I was in the first row and didn’t have the slightest clue who they were. Anyway, they were terrific – won me over at least. I enjoyed them even more than the main act. The violinist is phenomenal.
In other news, glad to see Larry and Adam have emerged. Maybe if Larry wants more face time he should, I don’t know, show up more often. 🙂
Yeah emmett, do us a favour and go see Cathal, as I more than likely will be unable to… 🙁
The The Frames’ violinist is called Colm by the way.
If Sinead, Gav and U2 are the Holy Trinity and Cathal is Satan, then where will we leave Luka? Choirboy? 😉
Yeah emmett, do us a favour and go see Cathal, as I more than likely will be unable to… 🙁
The The Frames’ violinist is called Colm by the way.
If Sinead, Gav and U2 are the Holy Trinity and Cathal is Satan, then where will we leave Luka? Choirboy? 😉
the frames are a totally different band to the band that signed to island. they’re doing everything by themselves now and are the best band in ireland at the moment. check out their last album “for the birds”.
the frames are a totally different band to the band that signed to island. they’re doing everything by themselves now and are the best band in ireland at the moment. check out their last album “for the birds”.
Does anyone know whether the awards show
will be shown on UK tv & if so when &
on which channel?
Last year it was shown on BBC Choice which is now BBC3
Thanks
Barry
Does anyone know whether the awards show
will be shown on UK tv & if so when &
on which channel?
Last year it was shown on BBC Choice which is now BBC3
Thanks
Barry
nice to see larry and adam showed up! can’t wait to see the pics.
nice to see larry and adam showed up! can’t wait to see the pics.
“…wrote the rulebook for what U2 do…” – hee hee, where have we heard that before? 😉
“…wrote the rulebook for what U2 do…” – hee hee, where have we heard that before? 😉
Ah, pictures of, in my opinion the two sexiest Irishmen on the face of the planet, Bono and Colin Farrell, together? *sigh* I can’t wait!
Ah, pictures of, in my opinion the two sexiest Irishmen on the face of the planet, Bono and Colin Farrell, together? *sigh* I can’t wait!
Bono and Colin Farrell together on one stage? I think I would have melted. U2 has my heart and Colin has my libido!!!! LOL
Bono and Colin Farrell together on one stage? I think I would have melted. U2 has my heart and Colin has my libido!!!! LOL
The awards were presented in Dublin…Can that mean that they are in the studio right now as we speak as well?!?!?!
The awards were presented in Dublin…Can that mean that they are in the studio right now as we speak as well?!?!?!
I actually find For the Birds bores me to death, and their performance here at the Paradiso a few weeks ago wasn’t all that great, though Glen still yaps about easily how it was rather ironic an Irish band like the Frames should be playing a festival called “London Calling”. It was indeed rather stupid, but not half as stupid as Cathal saying “Hello London… ow, fuck” at Vicar Street a few years back. I dont deny the Frames have grown, ever since Dave Odlum (I believe?) left the band, they seem to be more with it and sound a lot more together and have a bit more of a “rocker” sound to it. Dont get me wrong, I’d like to see these guys growing bigger than they currently are, as they sure have worked long and hard enough for it. Theyre nice guys, generally good entertainers and the crowd really seems to go for them (even if they dont know he band). We’ll see what happens 🙂
I actually find For the Birds bores me to death, and their performance here at the Paradiso a few weeks ago wasn’t all that great, though Glen still yaps about easily how it was rather ironic an Irish band like the Frames should be playing a festival called “London Calling”. It was indeed rather stupid, but not half as stupid as Cathal saying “Hello London… ow, fuck” at Vicar Street a few years back. I dont deny the Frames have grown, ever since Dave Odlum (I believe?) left the band, they seem to be more with it and sound a lot more together and have a bit more of a “rocker” sound to it. Dont get me wrong, I’d like to see these guys growing bigger than they currently are, as they sure have worked long and hard enough for it. Theyre nice guys, generally good entertainers and the crowd really seems to go for them (even if they dont know he band). We’ll see what happens 🙂
Why is it that Bono has such a hard time taking good photographs? 50% of the time he looks good. The other 50%, he looks like this. I can’t be alone in thinking that he looks a wee bit drunk here. =P Plus, he needs some…. grooming. The beard I don’t mind, but that hair’s everywhere. It makes him look old. … … … … As for the award, it goes without saying that he deserves it. =)
Why is it that Bono has such a hard time taking good photographs? 50% of the time he looks good. The other 50%, he looks like this. I can’t be alone in thinking that he looks a wee bit drunk here. =P Plus, he needs some…. grooming. The beard I don’t mind, but that hair’s everywhere. It makes him look old. … … … … As for the award, it goes without saying that he deserves it. =)
Tis good to see the boys kick some more ass…
Tis good to see the boys kick some more ass…
Hey, if you took the volume of Colin’s hair, added it to the volume of Bono’s hair and then divided it in half, they’d both have a decent haircut. I know that wasn’t funny… I just couldn’t help but notice the difference in hair height in that picture.
Hey, if you took the volume of Colin’s hair, added it to the volume of Bono’s hair and then divided it in half, they’d both have a decent haircut. I know that wasn’t funny… I just couldn’t help but notice the difference in hair height in that picture.
Sure is nice to see Bono taking the time to be seen with others, who show true potential in the entertainment world, it would be even nicer to see Bono with writers who have helped such celebaties.
-Matt
Sure is nice to see Bono taking the time to be seen with others, who show true potential in the entertainment world, it would be even nicer to see Bono with writers who have helped such celebaties.
-Matt