I get the impression that a guitar for Bono in a u2 gig was never much more than a prop.
I think Soloyan, with his expertise on the subject, could tell us how much he actually played.
As Edge put it when Bono’s accident occurred, the world doesn’t need Bono’s guitar parts. They found ways around it since.
U2 was never a 2 guitars band. I wouldn’t go as far as An Tha and say it was a prop but clearly, U2 shows and songs were never built around that energy and Bono’s parts were often mixed low. You can hear them if you pay attention but it’s not front and center.
Bono was always a clumsy guitar player. Very raw. Edge compared him to Neil Young. There’s some truth in it, although it was a compliment. I guess the guitar helped Bono to channel some of his energy.
Notable exceptions ! To me these performances are among U2’s best and they all benefit from Bono’s guitar parts :
Stay : acoustic guitar
https://youtu.be/2ar190qI1z4?si=yEQeHwGx7_RxLQCjKite : acoustic guitar
https://youtu.be/0D8z_YSJqhw?si=SmFfXm6XakodR1oN11 o’clock : electric guitar, pay attention to Edge’s solo. Bono is playing the chords when Edge does this and it sounds truly amazing.
https://youtu.be/7MYsQkRWakQ?si=vcKPWeSxoLPJVCWWAll Along the Watchtower : this one is interesting because up until Edge’s solo, Bono’s part is actually louder than Edge’s. Might the only song built for 2 guitars in U2’s repertoire.
https://youtu.be/a9l4qMMIVH0?si=LefjH0ma8GpmoTLgThat’s it, top of my head. There might be more.