Why are you going to watch U2.

[swede]

Im not the biggest fan of U2, infact I sold my ticket to go see them a couple of years ago due to Bono being, well, Bono. That being said I will be at the pyramid stage when they play because I do think it will one of the great headline sets at Glastonbury and the fact that its over a year in the making. Them headlining will also prove if they are that good live as they will have hardly no gimmicks to fall back on and I also want to be there to see them sink or swim. I also want to see if they are not to up their own arses to actually come on and play a greatest hits set and not fall back on the tour set. I have to say it is probably the most intruiging headline set I will go to.

Was just wondering why other people are going to see them. Are you lifelong fans or like me is their something else that is pushing you to go see U2 this year.

Edited May 9, 2011 by swede

[9 weeks !]

If that's your reason, be prepared to be blown away. They will be unbelievable.

[mozzy]

First time I saw U2 was at a festival so be great to see them play at Glastonbury. Haven't been to one of their shows for 12 years as the ticket prices started getting ridiculous but saw them more than a dozen times prior to that & each time they were superb.

[Digi]

Im not the biggest fan of U2, infact I sold my ticket to go see them a couple of years ago due to Bono being, well, Bono. That being said I will be at the pyramid stage when they play because I do think it will one of the great headline sets at Glastonbury and the fact that its over a year in the making. Them headlining will also prove if they are that good live as they will have hardly no gimmicks to fall back on and I also want to be there to see them sink or swim. I also want to see if they are not to up their own arses to actually come on and play a greatest hits set and not fall back on the tour set. I have to say it is probably the most intruiging headline set I will go to.

Was just wondering why other people are going to see them. Are you lifelong fans or like me is their something else that is pushing you to go see U2 this year.

[godders1966]

There was a good article in the NME about why you should see U2 at Glasto. Sums it up very well I think

"I have, it is safe to say, never been the biggest fan of U2. I hate their sanctimonious politics, I’m angered by their massively hypocritical ‘tax efficient’ schemes that operate while they simultaneously encourage Western nations to ‘Drop The Debt’. It pisses me off that their singer got so cosy with Bush and Blair, who are in many people’s eyes war criminals.

It even annoys me that least one (maybe two) of the band doggedly refuse to just accept that they are bald. And that’s before we even get to the music, most of which just sounds like pompous bluster to me. So how come I’m actually looking forward to seeing them finally headline Glastonbury?

I know I’m not the only person who is feeling these strangely conflicted thoughts about their forthcoming Worthy Farm performance. But if I was going to see U2 play a one-off show anywhere, it would be on the Pyramid Stage.

Why? I’ve pondered this for weeks now. It’s because when you are watching an act in that arena you can switch off from all the stuff that generally annoys you, a bit like suspending your disbelief when you watch a film with a silly premise.

What matters most is the communal feeling, and that’s something that U2 are very good at. They have the kind of anthems that are capable of generating an amazing atmosphere on that Friday night – songs that the surely massive crowd will be able to sing along to, in a way that they weren’t able to do when Gorillaz filled in for the injury-stricken Irishmen last year and played loads of songs of an album most people hadn’t really had a chance to savour properly yet.

It’s fine to be challenged musically, but a headline slot on the big stage at Glastonbury isn’t the place for it. Most people who have gone there for entertainment are well-oiled, in a great mood and want an uncomplicated hour-an-a-half that makes them feel titanic.

Like R.E.M. in 1999, Bowie in 2000, Macca in 2004 and Blur in 2009 – they all got it absolutely spot on. And there’s no doubt U2 have that in their locker.

They have the tools to succeed – a massive back catalogue with tons of hits, and the experience to know which of their songs will work on the night (why do you think The Edge made the trip to Glasto last year? It wasn’t just to help out Muse).

But with so many tunes, you can’t be exactly sure what you’re in for. So as well as being reassuringly familiar, there will also be an element of unpredictability, unlike someone like The Killers in 2007, who had at that point only released two albums. It wasn’t difficult to work out what would feature in the setlist.

Anyway, you would expect that they will definitely play all the big ones from ‘The Joshua Tree’ and ‘Achtung Baby’, as well as ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘Vertigo’. There’s a strong possibility they’ll also perform ‘The Flowering Rose Of Glastonbury’, the song Bono wrote in 2010 for a festival he hasn’t even been to.

But like I say, I have a funny feeling that it will be a massive triumph for U2. They are clearly desperate to do it, and they will pull out all the stops. They will make it work, even without that stupid claw of theirs, which would have just been a distraction anyway. And I can’t deny that it will be exciting seeing them trying to pull it off."

[ukslim]

I'm not a fan at all. I may well go and see something else.

However, I've a sneaking suspicion that, come the day, I'll be tempted there by the possibility they'll pull something off that's epic. I think there *will* be gimmicks.

OTOH, I think it might irritate. Let's face it, nothing they play is technically difficult, so it'll all come down to showmanship and the mood in the crowd. It's possible that being surrounded by a crowd that's in thrall to U2 might annoy me enough to go elsewhere.

[**claire**]

Im not the biggest fan of U2, infact I sold my ticket to go see them a couple of years ago due to Bono being, well, Bono. That being said I will be at the pyramid stage when they play because I do think it will one of the great headline sets at Glastonbury and the fact that its over a year in the making. Them headlining will also prove if they are that good live as they will have hardly no gimmicks to fall back on and I also want to be there to see them sink or swim. I also want to see if they are not to up their own arses to actually come on and play a greatest hits set and not fall back on the tour set. I have to say it is probably the most intruiging headline set I will go to.

Was just wondering why other people are going to see them. Are you lifelong fans or like me is their something else that is pushing you to go see U2 this year.

[bouncing beetle]

Im not the biggest fan of U2, infact I sold my ticket to go see them a couple of years ago due to Bono being, well, Bono. That being said I will be at the pyramid stage when they play because I do think it will one of the great headline sets at Glastonbury and the fact that its over a year in the making. Them headlining will also prove if they are that good live as they will have hardly no gimmicks to fall back on and I also want to be there to see them sink or swim. I also want to see if they are not to up their own arses to actually come on and play a greatest hits set and not fall back on the tour set. I have to say it is probably the most intruiging headline set I will go to.

Was just wondering why other people are going to see them. Are you lifelong fans or like me is their something else that is pushing you to go see U2 this year.

[Liam13th]

Because i paid for my ticket and i want to see them.

[Halcyon]

Love them or not, it's going to be a watershed moment... like Radiohead in 97, Blur in 98, Bowie in 2000, Coldplay 2002 or McCartney in 2004. It's going to be a "you had to be there" moment.

[puppetmode]

I'll never pay the prices for a U2 ticket. Or any other of the huge headliners that Glastonbury pull in, So for that reason I'll go and check them out. I like their early stuff and the odd later stuff but wouldnt say I was a fan. ANd unfortunatley Bono is Bono.

But they will do a great set and for that reason, I'll be there. Plus, at the moment, they're not clashing with anyone I really want to see

[Wooderson]

Think I might start a thread "Why Do Coldplay exist?"

[cincoveces05]

Because they have A LOT of good songs that the majority of the crowd will know whether a fan or not.

[ukslim]

Plus, at the moment, they're not clashing with anyone I really want to see

[sjhopewell]

I was never a big fan of U2, but someone persuaded to get a ticket for their 360 tour a couple of years ago. As Elbow were supporting, I decided to go for it, and I was blown away. One of the best gigs I've been to. I know a lot was due to the visuals, but their back catalogue is fantastic, and I was converted into a big fan over those 90 minutes.

Can't wait to see them on the Pyramid Stage next month!

[MamaJojo]

Back in 1990, when I was at college/uni, and thought I was amazing and knew everything, terribly pretentious probably (like most 18 year olds - I know that sounds like a blanket statement and makes me sound like a cranky old fart but when we were 18 we thought we knew everything there was to know about everything....then life has this habit of knocking you on your arse and making you realise you dont)I was madly in love with Larry Mullen - I thought he was the absolute dogs bollocks...... I thought they were the bees knees. I had all of their albums, we used to sit in the common room with a guitar and sing them all...and then after 'Achtung Baby' I just stopped listening - they seemed to have gone so far up their own arses that they were just spewing sh*t from their mouths - so for me its a bit of a memory trip, but at the same time I KNOW that this set will be epic. There's just too many anthems for it not to be. As long as they play a good few from 'Joshua Tree', 'Unforgettable Fire' & 'War' then I'll walk away happy. Nothing has the feelgood factor more than 100,000 people all belting out a song, and a set with a great atmosphere and reaction (see Gorillaz '10 for how it *shouldn't* be done )

I know it's going to take me back to a great summer (finished college, before Uni) that's filled with loads of great memories.

Oh, and I KNOW 'With or Without You' is going to absolutely ruin me!!

[duggie20]

How's his back anyway? and to those who don't like him there's still time for them to pull out again.

[Wanderlei]

I'm seeing them because i will already be in the right place after seeing Morrissey.

[James Bolivar]

Because they have A LOT of good songs that the majority of the crowd will know whether a fan or not.

[tylerdurden]

Fatboy & Carl Cox for me.

I do have a niggling feeling that I'll be missing something special though, so who knows, my mind might change on the night.

[GlastoBill]

Not a massive fan now, was when I was younger but never had the chance to see them. I think it will be an excellent show if he plays a hits set and keeps his mouth shut.

[essex_jim]

They will be immense. I simply can't wait and think they'll be the highlight of the whole weekend. U2 have presence. Quite simply a band like them wouldn't work in a small venue. Bigger the better, much like Oasis or other bands with so many hits. It will be epic. Don't miss them or you will regret it.

[dirty_dog]

I've wanted to see them live since I was a kid but I've never got round to doing it for one reason or another. so to see them for the first time and at Glastonbury its going to be epic. ye bono is a bit of a cock but I kind of ignore that as their music is that good. I can't say the same for coldplay where I quite like a few of their early songs but Chris Martin is a complete muppet.

[allovicky]

I saw them in Cardiff a few years back and they were amazing! So I'll be there

[anoldhippie@60]

A band I have always wanted to see. Have most of there albums and I admit there earlier stuff was better but they still have had some good songs since. Re you Bono haters just dont go and give us more room for those that really want to see them.