Larry Mullen has written an open letter to U2.com members, which arrived in our mailbox today just in time for our morning coffee break:
This is not something that I would normally do, but I feel that I have to do something to redress this situation.
There was a mess up in the way the tickets were distributed through U2.com for the Vertigo pre-sale. Some of it was beyond our control, but some of it wasn’t.
I am now in the process of figuring out a way of distributing the tickets for our intended return to North America in the fall. The only fair way of doing this, is to give U2 Propaganda members, who are now U2.com members, priority in the queue.
After that, people will be given priority in the order in which they joined.
Many people who joined U2.com and didn’t get tickets are understandably angry. They now have the option to get a full refund of their subscription fee.
The idea that our long-time U2 fans and scalpers competed for U2 tickets through our own website is appalling to me. I want to apologise to you who have suffered that.
If your U2.com pre-sale experience has left you disappointed, I hope this will go some way towards reassuring you of our total commitment to our audience.
Slainte
Larry.
By the way, a note to those so-called U2 fans who are quick to accuse U2 of unseemly behaviour, I’ve only got two words for you…
This letter was also published on U2.com.
Thanks, Larry. It’s good to get a statement from a bandmember and truly encouraging to hear you’re looking into this matter personally. Fair play to ya. Don’t be too hard on fans who question, rather than follow blindly. They’re the ones that are prepared to show up even when the going gets tough. Those who love the most, hurt the most, you must know that. Good health to yourself, too and we’ll be seeing you on the road.
Nice gesture indeed. That last line is just stingy though.
Nice gesture indeed. That last line is just stingy though.
I wonder which two words he means………
Love & Peace?? 😉
I wonder which two words he means………
Love & Peace?? 😉
I always thought F.O.A.D. counts four…
But, great to see the chief of t-shirt fabric is picking it up in person in what must be very, very busy times for these guys…
I always thought F.O.A.D. counts four…
But, great to see the chief of t-shirt fabric is picking it up in person in what must be very, very busy times for these guys…
“I am now in the process of figuring out a way of distributing the tickets for our intended return to North America in the fall.”
I’ll help!
1. Abandon ClearChannel and Ticket Master!
2. Sell tickets!
3. Profit!
“By the way, a note to those so-called U2 fans who are quick to accuse U2 of unseemly behaviour, I’ve only got two words for you…”
We’re not really ‘quick’ to accuse you of unseemly behaviour, this started brewing in 2001 with the issues in the heart.
At the moment, to the fans, the business side of U2 is by far the more apparent side, and its just oversaturating us: the iPod commercials, the iPod campaign, the Complete U2, the new album, the new single, the tour announcement, the tickets going on sale.
Genuine fans are simply questioning whether the band know anything of, or have any control over, the business side of the U2 franchise.
BTW, U2log Editors, is there any way to make type-key remember me?
“I am now in the process of figuring out a way of distributing the tickets for our intended return to North America in the fall.”
I’ll help!
1. Abandon ClearChannel and Ticket Master!
2. Sell tickets!
3. Profit!
“By the way, a note to those so-called U2 fans who are quick to accuse U2 of unseemly behaviour, I’ve only got two words for you…”
We’re not really ‘quick’ to accuse you of unseemly behaviour, this started brewing in 2001 with the issues in the heart.
At the moment, to the fans, the business side of U2 is by far the more apparent side, and its just oversaturating us: the iPod commercials, the iPod campaign, the Complete U2, the new album, the new single, the tour announcement, the tickets going on sale.
Genuine fans are simply questioning whether the band know anything of, or have any control over, the business side of the U2 franchise.
BTW, U2log Editors, is there any way to make type-key remember me?
i think the whole thing is just really sad.
larry has obviously been angered by whats been said and has a right to be, but it was uncalled for and i think he may have crushed a lot of fans with his words.
where’s bono when you need him? 🙁
i think the whole thing is just really sad.
larry has obviously been angered by whats been said and has a right to be, but it was uncalled for and i think he may have crushed a lot of fans with his words.
where’s bono when you need him? 🙁
@Spike: It should, but it’s not working. Unfortunately, TypeKey documentation is almost non-existent. When I get a moment, I’ll recode the templates from scratch, see if that helps.
@u2joost: brilliant!
With Bono away and Edge pre-occupied and Adam being, well, Adam, I guess Larry’s the only one who CAN deal with it. He has his own style, that’s for sure and has never had a problem telling people to piss off.
@Spike: It should, but it’s not working. Unfortunately, TypeKey documentation is almost non-existent. When I get a moment, I’ll recode the templates from scratch, see if that helps.
@u2joost: brilliant!
With Bono away and Edge pre-occupied and Adam being, well, Adam, I guess Larry’s the only one who CAN deal with it. He has his own style, that’s for sure and has never had a problem telling people to piss off.
Well Larry 2 words for you as well Wake Up
Other bands have controled their presales much better and I appreciate the offer for tickets in the fall. Thanks. We all make mistakes just suck it in and fix it….
That said may we all fair well in the fall.
Well Larry 2 words for you as well Wake Up
Other bands have controled their presales much better and I appreciate the offer for tickets in the fall. Thanks. We all make mistakes just suck it in and fix it….
That said may we all fair well in the fall.
“We’re not really ‘quick’ to accuse you of unseemly behaviour, this started brewing in 2001 with the issues in the heart.”
I think Spike has his the nail on the head with his post. Fans have become suspicious of U2 not due to the past 2 weeks but because of their actions over the past 4 years. There has been no rush to judgement – just the steady accumulation of lots of unsavoury evidence. A break with Clear Channel and a return to the pursuit of artistic excellence rather than profit, profit, profit, would begin to restore our faith.
But I fear that there is something rotten at the heart of U2 these days.
“We’re not really ‘quick’ to accuse you of unseemly behaviour, this started brewing in 2001 with the issues in the heart.”
I think Spike has his the nail on the head with his post. Fans have become suspicious of U2 not due to the past 2 weeks but because of their actions over the past 4 years. There has been no rush to judgement – just the steady accumulation of lots of unsavoury evidence. A break with Clear Channel and a return to the pursuit of artistic excellence rather than profit, profit, profit, would begin to restore our faith.
But I fear that there is something rotten at the heart of U2 these days.
An apology with a sting in the tail like this is outrageous Larry=it abducates responsibility and is bitter, not visionary or peaceful as I came to know the band. Too bad. I have two words for you my friend…you’re forgiven…all because of love for you.
An apology with a sting in the tail like this is outrageous Larry=it abducates responsibility and is bitter, not visionary or peaceful as I came to know the band. Too bad. I have two words for you my friend…you’re forgiven…all because of love for you.
Hey look, there’s a refund page:
http://www.u2.com/refund.php
I bet not a lot of people will use it. After all… more presale codes in autumn.
Hey look, there’s a refund page:
http://www.u2.com/refund.php
I bet not a lot of people will use it. After all… more presale codes in autumn.
Guess Larry didn’t appreciate the “No tickets? Blame U2 management, says promoter” article 😛
I didn’t feel included in that last statement, but now I’m starting to doubt. Initially, I thought he was aiming at the people who suggested U2 (band + management + anyone else involved) sells off tickets to the highest bidder themselves, before putting them onto the market.
Now I am not so sure though… I’m getting the feeling the last comment was a direct hit towards U2log.com, which rather blows. Especially after all the time and effort we have put into actually doing U2.com’s job, communicating as much as possible with the fans, and answering their questions as well as we could.
If I start going down that road, I get slightly peeved again, so I’m just going to stick to my opinion that it wasn’t aimed at us at all, and it was just poorly chosen wording.
It’s a shame they can’t just say “We fucked up, sorry” without adding a final remark that kind of adds “…but fuck you lot if you actually dared being upset about it”.
Oh well… just take it is. An apology. And ignore the last sentence…
Guess Larry didn’t appreciate the “No tickets? Blame U2 management, says promoter” article 😛
I didn’t feel included in that last statement, but now I’m starting to doubt. Initially, I thought he was aiming at the people who suggested U2 (band + management + anyone else involved) sells off tickets to the highest bidder themselves, before putting them onto the market.
Now I am not so sure though… I’m getting the feeling the last comment was a direct hit towards U2log.com, which rather blows. Especially after all the time and effort we have put into actually doing U2.com’s job, communicating as much as possible with the fans, and answering their questions as well as we could.
If I start going down that road, I get slightly peeved again, so I’m just going to stick to my opinion that it wasn’t aimed at us at all, and it was just poorly chosen wording.
It’s a shame they can’t just say “We fucked up, sorry” without adding a final remark that kind of adds “…but fuck you lot if you actually dared being upset about it”.
Oh well… just take it is. An apology. And ignore the last sentence…
@e: you’re right, just take it as an apology. And about his last sentence: it’s just Larry being himself. It’s not the first time he is making that remark: “I’ve got two words for you…” I’m sure I’ve heard that before in a U2- video somewhere, just can’t remember which…
Now what I consider really interesting is the sentence: “…After that, people will be given priority in the order in which they joined….” So you will be okay as long as you have a low/ early U2.com membership number??
@e: you’re right, just take it as an apology. And about his last sentence: it’s just Larry being himself. It’s not the first time he is making that remark: “I’ve got two words for you…” I’m sure I’ve heard that before in a U2- video somewhere, just can’t remember which…
Now what I consider really interesting is the sentence: “…After that, people will be given priority in the order in which they joined….” So you will be okay as long as you have a low/ early U2.com membership number??
Well it’s good to see some sort of statement finally come straight from the mouth of someone in U2, (even if he couldn’t resist being childish toward the end). After what they (U2) pulled with the heart/GA issues on Elevation (manipulating instead of communicating), how could knowledgable fans NOT be, at least in some part, suspicious of the fact the fan ticket package fell over on both sides of the Atlantic? How can we not, as subscribers to Propaganda for 19 years, be suspicious of the fact that this time someone within U2’s four walls signed off on us being offered tix BEHIND THE STAGE as “best available” before tix ever went on the general public sale? (Why make any fanclub tix obstructed view ones? That’s rubbish.) Are we supposed to keep gluing scales back onto our eyes? If there were nothing to be embarrassed of here, I would think instead of a multi-millionaire veiling a 2-word invective toward the very people who made him rich, your note would have been genuinely contrite.
Too much smoke continues to pour from the volcano that is the band’s business plan this time around – the attempt at retaining U2’s relevance by courting “young recruits” (as McG refers to it himself) is understandable… what is not understandable is when it comes at the unfortunate expense of those who’ve supported U2 for the last two dozens years.
Maybe it’s dinosaur paranoia due to being inducted into the RNRHOF next month? Not sure, but it’s quite tragic really. It’s tragic that U2 are now the ones giving off the “Michael Jackson Monkey Vibes,” and it’s tragic that the most loyal and giving fans are the ones who’ve had to suffer these vibes from the last band we ever thought it would come from. So, I guess I have two words for you too, Lar: midlife crisis.
Well it’s good to see some sort of statement finally come straight from the mouth of someone in U2, (even if he couldn’t resist being childish toward the end). After what they (U2) pulled with the heart/GA issues on Elevation (manipulating instead of communicating), how could knowledgable fans NOT be, at least in some part, suspicious of the fact the fan ticket package fell over on both sides of the Atlantic? How can we not, as subscribers to Propaganda for 19 years, be suspicious of the fact that this time someone within U2’s four walls signed off on us being offered tix BEHIND THE STAGE as “best available” before tix ever went on the general public sale? (Why make any fanclub tix obstructed view ones? That’s rubbish.) Are we supposed to keep gluing scales back onto our eyes? If there were nothing to be embarrassed of here, I would think instead of a multi-millionaire veiling a 2-word invective toward the very people who made him rich, your note would have been genuinely contrite.
Too much smoke continues to pour from the volcano that is the band’s business plan this time around – the attempt at retaining U2’s relevance by courting “young recruits” (as McG refers to it himself) is understandable… what is not understandable is when it comes at the unfortunate expense of those who’ve supported U2 for the last two dozens years.
Maybe it’s dinosaur paranoia due to being inducted into the RNRHOF next month? Not sure, but it’s quite tragic really. It’s tragic that U2 are now the ones giving off the “Michael Jackson Monkey Vibes,” and it’s tragic that the most loyal and giving fans are the ones who’ve had to suffer these vibes from the last band we ever thought it would come from. So, I guess I have two words for you too, Lar: midlife crisis.
Question regarding this priority thing-I joined Prop at least before Popmart (maybe ZooTV…can’t remember)and maintained the membership. I moved in 2003 and notified Propaganda. I never received the letter for my u2.com discount so I assume that Prop never entered my address change. They still should have my name on file as a paid up member though the address might be incorrect. Did they try to send me a letter with the discount code? Who knows. Now, I’ve sinced joined u2.com at the $40 rate AND I’ve used my code albeit for upper level tickets (wanted GA’s or lowers). So, of course my question is will I be considered a pre-u2.com propaganda member? I wish Prop’s database would be posted or designed in such a way that you could access your name and make updates to address, phone # etc. Will this be a moot point if I can’t get a code for 3rd leg because I used the code for 1st leg (I think we should get new codes!). I think I used too many words to ask a couple simple questions!
Question regarding this priority thing-I joined Prop at least before Popmart (maybe ZooTV…can’t remember)and maintained the membership. I moved in 2003 and notified Propaganda. I never received the letter for my u2.com discount so I assume that Prop never entered my address change. They still should have my name on file as a paid up member though the address might be incorrect. Did they try to send me a letter with the discount code? Who knows. Now, I’ve sinced joined u2.com at the $40 rate AND I’ve used my code albeit for upper level tickets (wanted GA’s or lowers). So, of course my question is will I be considered a pre-u2.com propaganda member? I wish Prop’s database would be posted or designed in such a way that you could access your name and make updates to address, phone # etc. Will this be a moot point if I can’t get a code for 3rd leg because I used the code for 1st leg (I think we should get new codes!). I think I used too many words to ask a couple simple questions!
~E, I don’t think we (U2log) register on Larry’s radar. I think the main reason U2 are now responding to this matter is the fact that Irish media have now jumped on it and, as I was told earlier this morning, they’re getting it in the neck from every talkshow on every radio station in the country. And general sales haven’t even started yet.
~E, I don’t think we (U2log) register on Larry’s radar. I think the main reason U2 are now responding to this matter is the fact that Irish media have now jumped on it and, as I was told earlier this morning, they’re getting it in the neck from every talkshow on every radio station in the country. And general sales haven’t even started yet.
Fair enough and that’s kind of how I interpreted it too. Didn’t know about the Irish press jumping on it though, but I guess anything ticketsale related is kind of hot news today.
Does make fairly clear how this kind of statement can easily be taken the wrong way…
Fair enough and that’s kind of how I interpreted it too. Didn’t know about the Irish press jumping on it though, but I guess anything ticketsale related is kind of hot news today.
Does make fairly clear how this kind of statement can easily be taken the wrong way…
“Michael Jackson Monkey Vibes.” You made me laugh, Patty.
“Michael Jackson Monkey Vibes.” You made me laugh, Patty.
It’s encouraging to see that Larry and the band are acknowledging that their was a problem with ticket distribution for the first legs of the tour.
I wouldn’t be too worried about the bit at the end.
Constructive confrentation breeds results.
Now that larry is talking the talk lets see if he can walk the walk.
I hope you are reading this Mullen !
My reccomendations for the fall tour
1 A clause on all tickets that reads something like
‘This ticket is non-transferable and remains property of NOTUS LTD. This ticket is a non-exclusive license to see U2 perform in ( insert venue here). If you attempt to resell this ticket U2 / Ticketmaster reserve the right to cancel your tickets order and issue a refund’
2/ I’d put a dedicated team in place to monitor EBAY and the ticketbrokers / Cancel tickets that were being scalped.
This would not be too difficult to do.
There are currently 3996 items on EBAY matching as U2 tickets
2 tickets for CONTINENTAL ARENA EAST RUTHERFORD NJ 5/18 have just been sold for $365.
The seats are located in Section 209 Row 4 and they are aisle seats
As far as I know and according to U2.com NOBODY phisically has their tickets yet.
CANCEL THEM !!!!
3/ Every ticket has a serial number and is traceable. If anyone did buy a scalped ticket I’d set up a webpage where you could report it and make sure whoever scalped the ticket never gets a U2 ticket again.
It’s encouraging to see that Larry and the band are acknowledging that their was a problem with ticket distribution for the first legs of the tour.
I wouldn’t be too worried about the bit at the end.
Constructive confrentation breeds results.
Now that larry is talking the talk lets see if he can walk the walk.
I hope you are reading this Mullen !
My reccomendations for the fall tour
1 A clause on all tickets that reads something like
‘This ticket is non-transferable and remains property of NOTUS LTD. This ticket is a non-exclusive license to see U2 perform in ( insert venue here). If you attempt to resell this ticket U2 / Ticketmaster reserve the right to cancel your tickets order and issue a refund’
2/ I’d put a dedicated team in place to monitor EBAY and the ticketbrokers / Cancel tickets that were being scalped.
This would not be too difficult to do.
There are currently 3996 items on EBAY matching as U2 tickets
2 tickets for CONTINENTAL ARENA EAST RUTHERFORD NJ 5/18 have just been sold for $365.
The seats are located in Section 209 Row 4 and they are aisle seats
As far as I know and according to U2.com NOBODY phisically has their tickets yet.
CANCEL THEM !!!!
3/ Every ticket has a serial number and is traceable. If anyone did buy a scalped ticket I’d set up a webpage where you could report it and make sure whoever scalped the ticket never gets a U2 ticket again.
An Open Letter To Lary:
Thanks!
Thanks for taking a look into this.
Two thoughts to throw over the fence:
1) Get the fans involved. There are many in Dublin, New York and others scattered around the world who have been with all of this through thck and thin. Please include us at some point in the process. I know there are management decisions which will drive alot of it and we dont want to be in the way. But we have a lot of good experience on how these things work and would like to play our part in improving the process.
2) It is great that you are looking into who were prop fans and who were only U2.com fans. Many of us who date back at least ten years, who have old copies of Prop in our basements, were not recognized by FanFire as Prop members. Please dont take FanFire’s word as to who is and who is not a Prop member. I thought the whole idea of fighting for the $20 difference was silly and just paid it. But if it factors into the fans particiaption in loyalty events, I think the band should offer some sort of recourse for those of us who have been around for a long time but listed wrong on the rolls at U2.com
Thanks Again!
Murph’ – St. Louis
An Open Letter To Lary:
Thanks!
Thanks for taking a look into this.
Two thoughts to throw over the fence:
1) Get the fans involved. There are many in Dublin, New York and others scattered around the world who have been with all of this through thck and thin. Please include us at some point in the process. I know there are management decisions which will drive alot of it and we dont want to be in the way. But we have a lot of good experience on how these things work and would like to play our part in improving the process.
2) It is great that you are looking into who were prop fans and who were only U2.com fans. Many of us who date back at least ten years, who have old copies of Prop in our basements, were not recognized by FanFire as Prop members. Please dont take FanFire’s word as to who is and who is not a Prop member. I thought the whole idea of fighting for the $20 difference was silly and just paid it. But if it factors into the fans particiaption in loyalty events, I think the band should offer some sort of recourse for those of us who have been around for a long time but listed wrong on the rolls at U2.com
Thanks Again!
Murph’ – St. Louis
My only problem with this is that I *was* a member of Propaganda, and got one issue back in 2000. I only read on the web that they’d cancelled propaganda and I was supposed to receive credit or something. No address where, no person to contact, at least where I could find easily.
I signed up for U2.com again, paying the $40 and now I find that because I signed up the day before the presale, I basically am at the back of the queue for fall tickets.
Nice to see the situation is being addressed – it really is. But this latest problem is due to all the other little problems along the way that went unaddressed. If I waited that long at my job to take care of issues as they arose, I would have been fired eons ago.
If anyone has any info on how I can talk to someone about my Prop membership I’d appreciate it. I paid $20 for one issue and no ticket buying opportunity. Make that $60, now!
My only problem with this is that I *was* a member of Propaganda, and got one issue back in 2000. I only read on the web that they’d cancelled propaganda and I was supposed to receive credit or something. No address where, no person to contact, at least where I could find easily.
I signed up for U2.com again, paying the $40 and now I find that because I signed up the day before the presale, I basically am at the back of the queue for fall tickets.
Nice to see the situation is being addressed – it really is. But this latest problem is due to all the other little problems along the way that went unaddressed. If I waited that long at my job to take care of issues as they arose, I would have been fired eons ago.
If anyone has any info on how I can talk to someone about my Prop membership I’d appreciate it. I paid $20 for one issue and no ticket buying opportunity. Make that $60, now!
you know, none of this would ever have happened if people had been nicer about Pop.
i’m re-reading U2 at the End of the World at the moment, and it’s kinda depressing me. like we’ll never see U2 breaking the bank in the name is creativity again, there’ll be no more risks. i love how deeply in touch Bono was with being a rockstar. now, not so much. also, there’s that bit in there were larry mullen says something like “we’ve made enough money to be comfortable for the rest of our lives. that’s enough money.” yeah, right. would you like the complete U2 with your ipod?
you know, none of this would ever have happened if people had been nicer about Pop.
i’m re-reading U2 at the End of the World at the moment, and it’s kinda depressing me. like we’ll never see U2 breaking the bank in the name is creativity again, there’ll be no more risks. i love how deeply in touch Bono was with being a rockstar. now, not so much. also, there’s that bit in there were larry mullen says something like “we’ve made enough money to be comfortable for the rest of our lives. that’s enough money.” yeah, right. would you like the complete U2 with your ipod?
I’m sure there are people out there who were members of U2’s ‘U2 Info’ magazine, before Propaganda. They should have dibs. 🙂
(see the ‘zine at U2info.com)
I’m sure there are people out there who were members of U2’s ‘U2 Info’ magazine, before Propaganda. They should have dibs. 🙂
(see the ‘zine at U2info.com)
I never had any problems with Propaganda, by the way, other than their very low publication rate. Subscriber since issue #2, always got the magazines and got field tickets when I used the form. I enjoyed the content of the magazines when I first joined, since I was a new fan and didn’t know a whole lot.
I don’t think the magazine improved over the years – style over substance. Collectormania, now there was a magazine… 🙂 Speaking from that experience, making a magazine, certainly at that time, was incredibly expensive. I don’t think Prop’s subscription fee would have covered the cost. Collectormania certainly couldn’t survive.
I don’t mind paying for an online club, though $40 seems a little steep (but then EVERYTHING is a little steep these days) and the site’s content doesn’t do it for me. Listen/view audio/video online? Dude, I HAVE all the albums, singles. But maybe it’s unfair to judge a website on its merit to obsessive fans rather than a general audience?
R.E.M.’s fanclub was / is great, I was a member for a while. For 12 dollars you got really regular and interesting newsletters and goodies, and of course, the yearly fanclub single. All beautifully packaced by ‘Independent Projects’. ‘Course, U2 are still artistically interesting – unlike R.E.M… *ducks*
I never had any problems with Propaganda, by the way, other than their very low publication rate. Subscriber since issue #2, always got the magazines and got field tickets when I used the form. I enjoyed the content of the magazines when I first joined, since I was a new fan and didn’t know a whole lot.
I don’t think the magazine improved over the years – style over substance. Collectormania, now there was a magazine… 🙂 Speaking from that experience, making a magazine, certainly at that time, was incredibly expensive. I don’t think Prop’s subscription fee would have covered the cost. Collectormania certainly couldn’t survive.
I don’t mind paying for an online club, though $40 seems a little steep (but then EVERYTHING is a little steep these days) and the site’s content doesn’t do it for me. Listen/view audio/video online? Dude, I HAVE all the albums, singles. But maybe it’s unfair to judge a website on its merit to obsessive fans rather than a general audience?
R.E.M.’s fanclub was / is great, I was a member for a while. For 12 dollars you got really regular and interesting newsletters and goodies, and of course, the yearly fanclub single. All beautifully packaced by ‘Independent Projects’. ‘Course, U2 are still artistically interesting – unlike R.E.M… *ducks*
Hey guys I got this code off ebay but I live in Canada and its only valid in the states. Its for 50$ off the complete u2. 9ARAYP4LE4EX. Its the best 150$ ive ever spent.
For the people who are still complaining about everything, Stfu already. They’re the biggest band in the world, 40$ isnt a whole hell of a lot, and we’ll all get a chance to see them in one way or another. So go out and get laid or drunk or something.
Hey guys I got this code off ebay but I live in Canada and its only valid in the states. Its for 50$ off the complete u2. 9ARAYP4LE4EX. Its the best 150$ ive ever spent.
For the people who are still complaining about everything, Stfu already. They’re the biggest band in the world, 40$ isnt a whole hell of a lot, and we’ll all get a chance to see them in one way or another. So go out and get laid or drunk or something.
Boozer83, that’s not the way we talk to each other on this site. Consider yourself banned.
Boozer83, that’s not the way we talk to each other on this site. Consider yourself banned.
I *loved* his letter & his last comment!
I’ve been called more names in the last week than my whole life simply for standing up for U2.
As far as I’m concerned, I’ve got 4 words: I told ya so.
Fair play to Larry!!!
I *loved* his letter & his last comment!
I’ve been called more names in the last week than my whole life simply for standing up for U2.
As far as I’m concerned, I’ve got 4 words: I told ya so.
Fair play to Larry!!!
e says:
Didn’t know about the Irish press jumping on it though
————————
The Irish press has been dogging U2 ever since LoveTown and the high ticket prices then. I’m surprised we never heard about that.
e says:
Didn’t know about the Irish press jumping on it though
————————
The Irish press has been dogging U2 ever since LoveTown and the high ticket prices then. I’m surprised we never heard about that.
The only reason I would join U2.com now isn’t because I need to be close. I just want the opportunity to buy $60 nosebleeds anywhere. The fact that the $20 I spent allows me to buy $180 Gold Circle tickets at the back of the floor doesn’t appeal to me at all. And if I have to eat a ticket when they release GA’s on the day, $60 is much easier to swallow.
The only reason I would join U2.com now isn’t because I need to be close. I just want the opportunity to buy $60 nosebleeds anywhere. The fact that the $20 I spent allows me to buy $180 Gold Circle tickets at the back of the floor doesn’t appeal to me at all. And if I have to eat a ticket when they release GA’s on the day, $60 is much easier to swallow.
completely unrelated to Larry’s letter, I was curious as to how this tour pans out after Europe, I know a US 3rd leg, Australia, and Japan dates are all in the works, but is there any hope for those “exotic locations” Popmart covered, more especifically Brasil…anyone know of any rumors?
completely unrelated to Larry’s letter, I was curious as to how this tour pans out after Europe, I know a US 3rd leg, Australia, and Japan dates are all in the works, but is there any hope for those “exotic locations” Popmart covered, more especifically Brasil…anyone know of any rumors?
…and I was thinking how smart I was not to have wasted $40, now he tells us it’s based on the order we joined U2.com! 😉 Ah well, I still like the tunes (an abundance of great tunes released recently) and hope 3rd leg comes to SouthEast US, maybe even Raleigh?
I’m hoping the two words are ‘Love & Peace’, but I doubt it. That’s how we know it was really Larry….
…and I was thinking how smart I was not to have wasted $40, now he tells us it’s based on the order we joined U2.com! 😉 Ah well, I still like the tunes (an abundance of great tunes released recently) and hope 3rd leg comes to SouthEast US, maybe even Raleigh?
I’m hoping the two words are ‘Love & Peace’, but I doubt it. That’s how we know it was really Larry….
Caroline: I’m sure Edge is aware of this site, he’s supposed to be extremely internet-savvy, which means he’ll be using a Mozilla based browser, and thus won’t have been able to access U2.com until very recently 🙂
The one thing guaranteed to piss off a band is critics who champion them also leaping at the opportunity to slag them off. Positive reviews of the album on talk-shows were quickly followed with ‘overkill’ on the ticket fiasco, citing the band as the cause of the problem rather than the more obvious targets (CC, Ticket Master, Seb Clayton and his team).
The unfortunate fact is that by licensing ClearChannel and Ticket Master to co-ordinate the production and sale of their tickets, U2 increase their profits by a significant figure, and in every band is a business interest. The band cannot possibly control every aspect of their business, so they must entrust it to Paul McGuiness and Principle Management, a company who have served them extremely well in the past – consider how often there is a PR Meltdown between a band and their fans, then consider U2, who are rarely in trouble with their fan-base. Recently the chain of command has gotten a little longer than usual and therefore the chances of a problem have increased greatly, especially when companies such as CC and Ticket Master aren’t run with the same values as U2 Ltd.
A lot of fans have a very quixotic image of U2 living in a house made of pure love, strumming guitars made from the laughter of African children, and are, therefore, confused by the altogether contradictory messages that seemingly come out of the band: the music speaks of an earnest, innocent hope; whilst the business aspect of the band seems to be a money-grabbing machine.
Big bands are always going to make megabucks. Accept it. There are extremely talented people who attach themselves to bands purely to increase their revenue and marketability. Paul McGuiness isn’t with U2 because he liked them and thought they were good kids, he thought he could make money with them (emphasis on ‘with’, there are no Sex Pistols-style skeletons in the cupboard here), so he took them on, promoted them and is now making a packet.
The consolation for U2 fans is that no amount of PR screw-ups could possibly diminish the previously excellent conduct of all concerned prior to 2001, and you do have to consider what bands do with their money: a lot of bands will make donations to charity, do the occasional benefit gig, be on the charity christmas record – Bono founds organisations that formulate strategies to relieve the world of extreme poverty. He criss-crosses the world most of the year trying to get politicians to fucking DO something about this immense, burning problem that is happening live on CNN as the world watches from their sitting-room.
So if all of this money I’m spending on my U2 experience goes some small way towards helping Bono and the band do that, I think I’ve got myself a pretty good deal.
Caroline: I’m sure Edge is aware of this site, he’s supposed to be extremely internet-savvy, which means he’ll be using a Mozilla based browser, and thus won’t have been able to access U2.com until very recently 🙂
The one thing guaranteed to piss off a band is critics who champion them also leaping at the opportunity to slag them off. Positive reviews of the album on talk-shows were quickly followed with ‘overkill’ on the ticket fiasco, citing the band as the cause of the problem rather than the more obvious targets (CC, Ticket Master, Seb Clayton and his team).
The unfortunate fact is that by licensing ClearChannel and Ticket Master to co-ordinate the production and sale of their tickets, U2 increase their profits by a significant figure, and in every band is a business interest. The band cannot possibly control every aspect of their business, so they must entrust it to Paul McGuiness and Principle Management, a company who have served them extremely well in the past – consider how often there is a PR Meltdown between a band and their fans, then consider U2, who are rarely in trouble with their fan-base. Recently the chain of command has gotten a little longer than usual and therefore the chances of a problem have increased greatly, especially when companies such as CC and Ticket Master aren’t run with the same values as U2 Ltd.
A lot of fans have a very quixotic image of U2 living in a house made of pure love, strumming guitars made from the laughter of African children, and are, therefore, confused by the altogether contradictory messages that seemingly come out of the band: the music speaks of an earnest, innocent hope; whilst the business aspect of the band seems to be a money-grabbing machine.
Big bands are always going to make megabucks. Accept it. There are extremely talented people who attach themselves to bands purely to increase their revenue and marketability. Paul McGuiness isn’t with U2 because he liked them and thought they were good kids, he thought he could make money with them (emphasis on ‘with’, there are no Sex Pistols-style skeletons in the cupboard here), so he took them on, promoted them and is now making a packet.
The consolation for U2 fans is that no amount of PR screw-ups could possibly diminish the previously excellent conduct of all concerned prior to 2001, and you do have to consider what bands do with their money: a lot of bands will make donations to charity, do the occasional benefit gig, be on the charity christmas record – Bono founds organisations that formulate strategies to relieve the world of extreme poverty. He criss-crosses the world most of the year trying to get politicians to fucking DO something about this immense, burning problem that is happening live on CNN as the world watches from their sitting-room.
So if all of this money I’m spending on my U2 experience goes some small way towards helping Bono and the band do that, I think I’ve got myself a pretty good deal.
I think what Larry said at the end was right on to the fans that jumped in and accused the band of shady dealings. And some did accuse and create more ill feelings than necessary. I for one am keeping the faith.
I think what Larry said at the end was right on to the fans that jumped in and accused the band of shady dealings. And some did accuse and create more ill feelings than necessary. I for one am keeping the faith.
Larry’s “FU” was frustration with a situation that he cant control…yet!
What do you expect – he’s from Dublin’s Northside and loves Elvis Presley…and he’s still sixteen – he’s still a Rebel @ Heart, God love him! If you can see past it, it’s kinda funny!!
Imagine the sort of stuff he’s hurled @ Bono [especially], Edge & Adam! Imagine the brawls they had during the making of Achtung, where by all accounts Larry was being Mr-Conservative-Lets-Not-Deviate-From-The-Joshua-Tree…whilst the B-Man was on for taking it as far away as possible……what was the quote?…”Achtung Baby is the sound of four men chopping down The Joshua Tree” – Brilliant!
Anyway, I’m just pleased that he has the b*lls to stand up and make a statement – good on him!
Fingers crossed they get it right by the time they announce the Aussie dates.
Cheers,
Ryan – Sydney
Larry’s “FU” was frustration with a situation that he cant control…yet!
What do you expect – he’s from Dublin’s Northside and loves Elvis Presley…and he’s still sixteen – he’s still a Rebel @ Heart, God love him! If you can see past it, it’s kinda funny!!
Imagine the sort of stuff he’s hurled @ Bono [especially], Edge & Adam! Imagine the brawls they had during the making of Achtung, where by all accounts Larry was being Mr-Conservative-Lets-Not-Deviate-From-The-Joshua-Tree…whilst the B-Man was on for taking it as far away as possible……what was the quote?…”Achtung Baby is the sound of four men chopping down The Joshua Tree” – Brilliant!
Anyway, I’m just pleased that he has the b*lls to stand up and make a statement – good on him!
Fingers crossed they get it right by the time they announce the Aussie dates.
Cheers,
Ryan – Sydney
“Anyway, I’m just pleased that he has the b*lls to stand up and make a statement – good on him!”
It /is/ good to know he’s alive and well, isn’t it 🙂
Agree with you though – it’s good that someone in the band has at least superficially tackled this, and I also thought the ‘Fuck You’ was a bit of a joke when I first read it.
“Anyway, I’m just pleased that he has the b*lls to stand up and make a statement – good on him!”
It /is/ good to know he’s alive and well, isn’t it 🙂
Agree with you though – it’s good that someone in the band has at least superficially tackled this, and I also thought the ‘Fuck You’ was a bit of a joke when I first read it.
U2: Carta de un Baterista a sus Fans
Tras el anuncio que enlistaba la calendarizaci
U2: Carta de un Baterista a sus Fans
Tras el anuncio que enlistaba la calendarizaci
Hi, I hope you get this letter, My name is Beatriz Finley, i need to ask for a favor from you. i have a friend, he is like my brother and he is a big fan of your group, he went to china after your concert for a hole year and when he came back he came realy sick and since them he has been losing to much weight, i do not know the name of hes sickness, but you guys are coming to San Diego, and the last tour you guys had here,he went backstage give one of the technitions a harley davison risk watch. and he ask him to give it to you , I have know idea if you got it or not. but if you did and when you come to San Diego please in your concert just say thanks to him by the microphone. please it will mean so much to him.
Thanks
Hi, I hope you get this letter, My name is Beatriz Finley, i need to ask for a favor from you. i have a friend, he is like my brother and he is a big fan of your group, he went to china after your concert for a hole year and when he came back he came realy sick and since them he has been losing to much weight, i do not know the name of hes sickness, but you guys are coming to San Diego, and the last tour you guys had here,he went backstage give one of the technitions a harley davison risk watch. and he ask him to give it to you , I have know idea if you got it or not. but if you did and when you come to San Diego please in your concert just say thanks to him by the microphone. please it will mean so much to him.
Thanks