Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2

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SlyDanner

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Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« on: October 27, 2017, 06:43:42 PM »
Thought I would start this poll mainly because I have lately felt pretty disenchanted with the band.  Still love the music but much less excited about the past year, not really into the JT Tour (I saw 1 show - Seattle) and after all the album delays and excuses about Trump, Brexit etc, pretty underwhelmed by TBT as the first single and Little Things because it's just terrible  8).

I hope to be pleasantly surprised by the new album but expectations are low.

Anyway please vote and share your thoughts...

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mariamontreal

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2017, 06:52:48 PM »
I didn't get to see the JT tour this time but I am excited to see the next tour because who knows how many more tours they will do.From what I have seen from the JT tour it seemed pretty good. My interest has remained the same just love the band.
She moves in mysterious ways

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guest20

Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2017, 07:01:12 PM »
My interest in U2 has certainly warned over the course of the past year. Given, my fandom is still relatively young and U2 was much newer to me even a single year ago.

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The Edges Cat

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2017, 07:10:33 PM »
Soon.
The Edge: “[Eno] would love to see us making albums a bit more like [Zooropa]. Where we go, ‘You know what? We’re not going to second-guess any of this. Let’s just go for it.’”

U2 Fans: We'd all love to see that, Edge.

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guest94

Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2017, 08:43:25 PM »
I'll try to keep this brief, but maybe this cathartic outpouring (or ranting, depending on your point of view) is just what I need.

My interest in the band has definitely waned over the past year, even to the point where this is the first U2 release that I'm not pumped up for. It's been coming for quite a while, starting with my frustration back in early 2014 when we still had no album news and rumors were swirling that the band was going to delay their album yet again. By the summer of that year my wife and I were busy moving to another state and U2, sadly, didn't play much of a role in that soundtrack. I found myself frustrated and tired of listening to the band drag their heels and tease us with bits that never materialized. I loved "Invisible" but after that we heard nothing for nine long months, until the surprise release of SOI. That definitely got me excited again and helped keep the flame alive for a bit longer, along with the I+E tour the following year.

By 2016 I started to notice the fatigue again, mainly because the band was once again talking about another album that had yet to see the light of day. Around that time I was also growing weary of the fanbase, as the election had caused a lot of arguing, both on the forums and on Facebook. My final straw was when someone suggested that because I lean to the right politically that I don't "get U2's music" and perhaps I didn't have a place among the fans. I don't care where artists lean politically, nor do I care if their fans happen to share those views, but that kind of bickering and condescension eventually wore me down. I stopped posting on the forums, didn't listen to much U2, and just wanted to get as far away from the fanbase as possible. The band and extended family I had loved for over 15 years was gone, replaced by vicious ideologues and a band that seemed unable to walk that fine line between discourse and reciting talking points. In short: I was done.

When the Joshua Tree tour was announced I got excited yet again, with the promise of seeing my all time favorite album performed live too good to pass up. Yet when it came time to buy tickets I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I had them in my cart, debit card number at the ready, but something just didn't feel right. The excitement wasn't there. I ended up scoring tickets to see Radiohead instead, as they've always been my second favorite and the only band I could ever conceive of taking U2's place at the top. That night in Kansas City they did it. I was stunned and blown away from the first note to the last. The unpredictable setlist, the lack of theatrics or political grandstanding, the sheer precision and enthusiasm of the band. I distinctly remember thinking during the show "I was right to pass up U2 for this. This is the band they could be if they'd be more adventurous." Radiohead took the top spot that night and still remain there. Sorry Bono, but the silver medal is about all I can give you at this point. The second time they came around we ended up going to Japan on mission trip, so I missed the show but traded it for a week in Japan, which is an experience that tops any concert!

I'm just now starting to venture out in to the fan community again, with SOE looking more and more like a real possibility by the end of this year. I still love the band, and will always appreciate the years I spent obsessing over them, but that time is gone now and I'm okay with it. I may not get chills when I hear my favorites or attempt to collect every rarity that pops up, but that's okay. There's so much music out there and if anything it reminded me that I can still be impartial. U2 CAN be overthrown and if they don't step up their game then there are other artists who will. There are other fanbases who are more open and tolerant of differing opinions, as well as other fanclubs that have offered me far more bang for my buck than U2.com ever has (They Might Be Giants have one of the best offers I've ever seen and I'm going with them for 2018).

Sorry for making this so long, but that's how I feel. I'll always love the music and I look forward to the new album and tour, but I've just be through too much to think that things can ever be like they once were. That's okay, though. I'm happy just sitting on the sidelines right now and watching the rest of the team. :) 

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Aviastar

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2017, 09:33:51 PM »
I could be off base but I have a feeling that SOE/SOE Tour might be a last gasp in terms of "big" U2.  I really love this band but I don't know if we'll get an honest-to-goodness studio effort after this one, considering how long it takes them to produce an album. I think we may get some tours, some side projects by members, etc. I am excited to hear the album but I don't think it's going to do particularly well commercially. U2 fans will buy it, but I think within a month or so it will largely be forgotten about by the general public and casual fans.  They will tour the album, but it will be a composite of a small group of hardcore fans and a large segment of casual fans who want to hear the hits, and who will be disappointed if they don't get them.

Every album since ATYCLB has been an exercise in diminishing returns and we are almost 10 years removed from the album that had really disappointing sales (NLOTH).  The had to practically give away SOI.  I am just not sure this new album is gonna move the needle much in the current environment.
« Last Edit: October 27, 2017, 09:38:02 PM by Aviastar »
Hold on, people! The man's talking about waste management. That affects the whole damn planet.

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guest4

Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2017, 07:26:31 AM »
I'm one of those stupid, crazy, never-say-die fans...I will ALWAYS be interested, ALWAYS be excited.

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JFW

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2017, 08:36:44 AM »
Lot to read.

I voted the same. And that's a good thing. But it's maybe a less fresh. I'm not discovering them anymore (other releases/versions and live shows).
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Codeguy

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2017, 12:07:02 PM »
Soon.

Hi Cat and welcome to the freest u2 forum. And for me, interest has surged. This time a year ago, U2 was announcing a tour to support a 30 year old album. Now they're prepping a brand new album, and if it's anything like blackout and the little things it'll be on fire.
-------

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imaginary friend

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2017, 12:32:13 PM »
voted option 2
find a station anywhere   http://radio.garden/listen/magic-fm/82GNMn3f

add some fun to your life while learning about music:   https://codepen.io/jakealbaugh/full/qNrZyw

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SlyDanner

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2017, 12:43:54 PM »
I'll try to keep this brief, but maybe this cathartic outpouring (or ranting, depending on your point of view) is just what I need.

My interest in the band has definitely waned over the past year, even to the point where this is the first U2 release that I'm not pumped up for. It's been coming for quite a while, starting with my frustration back in early 2014 when we still had no album news and rumors were swirling that the band was going to delay their album yet again. By the summer of that year my wife and I were busy moving to another state and U2, sadly, didn't play much of a role in that soundtrack. I found myself frustrated and tired of listening to the band drag their heels and tease us with bits that never materialized. I loved "Invisible" but after that we heard nothing for nine long months, until the surprise release of SOI. That definitely got me excited again and helped keep the flame alive for a bit longer, along with the I+E tour the following year.

By 2016 I started to notice the fatigue again, mainly because the band was once again talking about another album that had yet to see the light of day. Around that time I was also growing weary of the fanbase, as the election had caused a lot of arguing, both on the forums and on Facebook. My final straw was when someone suggested that because I lean to the right politically that I don't "get U2's music" and perhaps I didn't have a place among the fans. I don't care where artists lean politically, nor do I care if their fans happen to share those views, but that kind of bickering and condescension eventually wore me down. I stopped posting on the forums, didn't listen to much U2, and just wanted to get as far away from the fanbase as possible. The band and extended family I had loved for over 15 years was gone, replaced by vicious ideologues and a band that seemed unable to walk that fine line between discourse and reciting talking points. In short: I was done.

When the Joshua Tree tour was announced I got excited yet again, with the promise of seeing my all time favorite album performed live too good to pass up. Yet when it came time to buy tickets I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I had them in my cart, debit card number at the ready, but something just didn't feel right. The excitement wasn't there. I ended up scoring tickets to see Radiohead instead, as they've always been my second favorite and the only band I could ever conceive of taking U2's place at the top. That night in Kansas City they did it. I was stunned and blown away from the first note to the last. The unpredictable setlist, the lack of theatrics or political grandstanding, the sheer precision and enthusiasm of the band. I distinctly remember thinking during the show "I was right to pass up U2 for this. This is the band they could be if they'd be more adventurous." Radiohead took the top spot that night and still remain there. Sorry Bono, but the silver medal is about all I can give you at this point. The second time they came around we ended up going to Japan on mission trip, so I missed the show but traded it for a week in Japan, which is an experience that tops any concert!

I'm just now starting to venture out in to the fan community again, with SOE looking more and more like a real possibility by the end of this year. I still love the band, and will always appreciate the years I spent obsessing over them, but that time is gone now and I'm okay with it. I may not get chills when I hear my favorites or attempt to collect every rarity that pops up, but that's okay. There's so much music out there and if anything it reminded me that I can still be impartial. U2 CAN be overthrown and if they don't step up their game then there are other artists who will. There are other fanbases who are more open and tolerant of differing opinions, as well as other fanclubs that have offered me far more bang for my buck than U2.com ever has (They Might Be Giants have one of the best offers I've ever seen and I'm going with them for 2018).

Sorry for making this so long, but that's how I feel. I'll always love the music and I look forward to the new album and tour, but I've just be through too much to think that things can ever be like they once were. That's okay, though. I'm happy just sitting on the sidelines right now and watching the rest of the team. :)

very thoughtful - thanks for sharing that...


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Wik73

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2017, 01:58:29 PM »
I'm one of those stupid, crazy, never-say-die fans...I will ALWAYS be interested, ALWAYS be excited.
+1


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The Exile

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2017, 02:56:21 PM »
For me it's pretty much the same all the time. U2 is my all-time favorite band, but because I have been into them for so long they have taken on a unique kind of status for me, and that's not necessarily a good thing.


I literally do not shuffle U2 with any other band. So I am either listening to a playlist consisting of 20 new bands (like I am right now, The Chain Gang of 1974 is playing), or I am listening to U2. And I would be lying if I said that U2's current material were anywhere near my top 20 current bands.


But yeah, I'm excited for the new album. But I am way more worried than ever that it is going to be really, really bad.
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mariamontreal

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #13 on: October 28, 2017, 03:34:11 PM »
I'm one of those stupid, crazy, never-say-die fans...I will ALWAYS be interested, ALWAYS be excited.
+1
+ 2

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She moves in mysterious ways

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shineinthesummernight

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Re: Your current level of interest/excitement/passion for U2
« Reply #14 on: October 28, 2017, 03:47:24 PM »
Very excited!  I'm enjoying some of the new material and always hold out hope for a great album!