Mothers,U2 and Spirituality

The spiritual journey starts at home, home is where these boys had started their musical journey that has taken them around the world and moved many to look beyond their square space. Today we honor those mothers that have given us Paul, Larry, Dave and Adam ( yes we used their christian names) The world is a much better place with their music and voice.  Reglion always sparks some interesting conversations.

Given the opportunity to explore U2 from Theological, Spiritual view we have watched many books, sites and interesting side notes appear. However the classic general introduction to U2 from a spiritual perspective comes from Steve Stockman’s well organized Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2; “Stocki” an Irishman who has been writing on the band since the early 80s and knows their milieu intimately. Also consider the works of Vagacs and Scharen as well as Garrett to complete your collection,  However, most of the best theologically informed writers on U2 are working in journals, magazines, and online. U2-and-God pieces are those by Steven Harmon and Mark Meynell

Since U2 lyrics reflect a thorough immersion in Biblical thought and language, it’s often useful to turn to Drawing Their Fish in the Sand, an online archive of scripture allusions in the band’s work.

Moving from reflection on U2 to material directly by the band, one option that will spark thought is Bono’s National Prayer Breakfast sermon in 2006, which can be viewed here (a 22-minute clip via CNN and YouTube) or purchased as the book On The Move (including photos from his service in Ethiopia with World Vision as a young man).  An often-reprinted excerpt from Bono in Conversation, displays the singer at ease in the role of apologist for faith.

And then there’s listening!  Novices should certainly explore a best-of album, or a classic like The Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby; however, U2 are above all a live band whose vision cannot be fully grasped from their studio material, which is in essence a preliminary sketch for what they eventually achieve in performance.

Their slogan: “Live is where we live.”

We would recommend a trip to YouTube. Either look up performances of your own favorite songs, or observe a few characteristic U2-plus-their-audience moments: Where The Streets Have No Name (2001),  Sunday Bloody Sunday (1988), Mothers of The Disappeared (1998—in Santiago with the real mothers brought onstage), the love song to the Holy Spirit Mysterious Ways (2009) and the ZooTV iteration of The Fly (1993) with Bono in character and disorientation on the agenda.

It’s a cliché to point out that the band’s name is a pun: You, too, can be part of this. With that outlook, it’s no surprise that I need to tell you that this guide just skims the surface of ways spiritually-minded listeners can interact with U2’s material. Come on in and mix it up; there’s room for everyone

There are big questions about some of the things they do and say. There are the financial decisions that U2 Inc. have made, there are other concerns of lifestyle and rock star egos, there are concerns about their theology and ethics. For example Christians some have cited their Coexist campaign (which calls on all the ‘Sons of Abraham - Jews, Christians and Muslims - to live together in peace) as evidence of universalism. Well, it may well be! Yet it is hard to deny the moral goodness of the objective.

If one needs labels (and how one wishes one didn’t), perhaps we should see U2 as ‘post-evangelical’ (in the sense of what Dave Tomlinson was getting at in his 1995 book of that name) more than anything else. That will leave many things to be desired for the regular evangelical, of course.

But it is interesting how often themes of historic Christian orthodoxy permeate and inform their creativity. It is of course easy for Christian observers to judge and condemn them - yet who of us can honestly claim to understand the choices, dilemmas and conflicts that arise from having such wealth and influence?

Nevertheless, they offer a profound challenge to Christians with their passionate and committed engagement with the world around us at the social, political and personal levels. U2 is one model of Christian artistic engagement at the highest and most exposed level.

You might not agree with everything they do; you may totally detest their music! But it is foolish to ignore their attempts – for in recent times, no another performers have brought a Christian worldview and set of values into the public square more wholeheartedly and globally than U2. “U2: The Stadium Psalmists & Prophets Mark Meynell

Closing Thoughts. Most of us listen to music as background, something to fill the void. I challenge you to listen to music, really listen. Listen not only to U2 songs, but all songs. You find that references to God and man are vast and written deep within songs that you never thought would have any reference at all.

2011 has been another defining year for the boys, and we of course will continued be along for the ride “Will You?”

Suggested Reading

1. Achtung Baby (33 1/3 album guide) Catanzarite, Stephen Continuum New York 2007
2. Bono on Bono: Conversations Assayas, Michka Hodder London 2005
3. Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog Whiteley & Maynard (eds) Cowley Cambridge 2003
4. Into The Heart: The Stories Behind Every U2 Song Stokes, Niall Carlton London 2005
5. One Step Closer – Why U2 matters to those seeking God Scharen, Christian Brazos Gr. Rapids 2006
6. Religious Nuts, Political Fanatics: U2 in Theological Perspective Vagacs, Robert Cascade Eugene, OR 2005
7. The U2 Reader: a Quarter Century of Commentary Bordowitz, Hank (ed) Hal Leonard New York 2003
8. U2 by U2 McCormick, Neil (ed) HarperCollins London 2006
9. U2: An Irish Phenomenon Cogan, Visnja Collins Press London 2006
10. U2: Into the Heart (the stories behind every song) Stokes, Niall Thunder’s Mouth London 2005
11. U2: The Complete Guide to their Music Graham / Oosten de Boer Omnibus London 2004
12. Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2 Stockman, Steve Relevant Orlando, FL 2005

Where was U2 this week?

Well the boys where in Berlin earlier in the week. If you follow The Edge on twitter you got a chance to see the image of the ceiling at the Hansa Ballroom. German news sources said the band was in town to film.

Bono was spotted driving a gren Trabant from the cathedal to Hana studios. This could be part of the release package for Achtung Baby, anniversary edition. So far no official news from the band as to what they where doing in town. Some fans said they heard play back music and other fans said they did not sign autographs and moved pretty quickly thru town. You can still get U2 Concerts Tickets today for all shows.

Azteca Stadium prepared to host U2

Construction work began on the mega stage for the concert series that will give the Irish band U2 at the Estadio Azteca.

Hundreds of workers preparing the assembly of all the sets, lights, and what will comprise the show will be held next on 11, 14 and 15 May at the Coloso de Santa Ursula.

Despite missing a week the first U2 concert in Mexico City, workers already working at top speed on the field and on the outskirts of the northern end to build the structures of the stage.

In the guided tours that take place within the enclosure, the access tunnel 4, called Alfredo Tena, is closed and the marathon tunnel, which connects to the press room, locker rooms and the way they undertake the players to access the court.

“Since yesterday being installed gradually, the elements needed to operate the revolving stage of U2. We can not take the complete tour of the stadium and the locker room and press room will be offices for the staff, “said the guide.

U2 Stage Setup File Photo U2mania. Although officials at the Estadio Azteca announced they would leave camp to U2 fans until 9 May, already the early followers of the Irish band in the vicinity of the site, as they have tickets for the first show of the group.

The Irish band will perform at the Estadio Azteca 11, 14 and 15 May.

That is why the Club was affected America will hold its second leg in the Copa Santander Libertadores against Santos FC of Brazil on Tuesday, and the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Clausura 2011 Morelia facing the stage Corregidora.

Soweto Choir and U2 share award

ESPN’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Music Presentation: U2 and the Soweto Gospel Choir receive a Sports Emmy Award.

The award was in the Outstanding Music Composition / Direction / Lyrics category at the Annual Sports Emmy Awards presented for the 32nd year by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in New York on Monday night.

ESPN’s unprecedented commitment of resources to an event, for the month-long FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa, was rewarded with three Sports Emmy Awards, including recognition of the outstanding Soweto Gospel Choir and U2 collaboration. “We are proud to be associated with ESPN and U2 for their magnificent 2010 FIFA World Cup television campaign,” says Beverly Bryer, the Choir’s Executive Producer/Director.

Since Soweto Gospel Choir’s introduction to the world eight years ago, this amazing choir has amassed a growing local and international fan-base and received many local and international awards. “It’s really exciting to add an Emmy to the Choir’s three SAMA Awards, two Grammy Awards, three associated Grammy Awards and an Oscar nomination,” adds Beverly Bryer.

Wherever Soweto Gospel Choir has performed, be it at home in South Africa or Europe, Asia, Australia, the UK and the USA, the Choir has dazzled audiences and received critical acclaim. Created in late 2002, the Choir has achieved an almost unbelievable array of accomplishments: the first South African group to perform at the Academy Awards; two #1 Billboard World Music Chart albums, collaborations with Peter Gabriel, Robert Palmer, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Akon and U2. The choir is dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music with audiences around the world. Long may they fly the South African flag.

Bono Demands

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Pixies could be set to work on new material after their current ‘Doolittle’ tour comes to an end.

The ongoing Pixies re-union has been the source of some dis-quiet amongst fans. Sure, it’s nice to watch albums such as ‘Doolittle’ being brought to life, but new material would be a welcome surprise.

An infamous interview with The Quietus last year saw Black Francis appear to rule out new material. However since then various band members have hinted at the possibility of heading back into the studio.

Speaking to Spinner, Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago and drummer David Lovering refused to discount the possibility of new material.

“In the back of our minds I think we’re afraid that it might cause friction. Right? Don’t you think? It might, and that ‘might’ is gonna be an ‘Uh oh, what the f—- are we doing now?’” Santiago said.

It’s been almost two decades since Pixies released new material, with their final recordings not featuring bass player Kim Deal. Continuing, Lovering explained that any new tracks would have to fit in with their legacy.

“The thing is, we want to protect the legacy. If we do something, it better be good” the drummer explained. “And as we go along - it’s been seven years now - it gets more difficult to make that decision.”

“That talk about making a record will be in the forefront next because it’ll be time, you know. It’ll be time” he explained. “We’ve definitely gelled as a unit and hopefully when we can all bury the hatchet - and we have - maybe we’ll go in there and hope for the best.”

Bizarrely, it seems that U2 singer Bono is amongst those calling for new material by the group. “He’s like, ‘Please make a record!’ Goddamn, we can’t leave that unturned. That would frustrate me. It would.”

Release Posted by Robin Murray

Is This The End ?

Is this the last big tour for the boys? The question always comes up at the end of a tour. This time fans seem to believe that we may have seen the last of U2. Bono has been telling fans “Don’t forget us” as if they may have already. What has concerned fans most was the comment during last months shows in Brazil where he said.

‘Tonight is our last night in South America and we wanted to remember this,’ said Bono after Until The End of the World. ‘So we’re going out live on radio and online across the whole of your mesmerising continent as an excuse so we can have the record of this show. This show will last for ever.’

To a capacity crowd on the third and final night in Sao Paulo and to fans around the world listening it the comment did not go unnoticed rather most fans just listened as their band played and praying that they will see greatness again.

Sao Paulo was special for so many reasons. Steve Lillywhite came in from NY to hear the tracks he produced and claimed it sounds just as good as it did 30 years ago.

U2 will go down as the greatness band in history not because we believe it, because the facts are clear, they have produced, provided and continue to create music that moves people beyond the space and time that they live in.

Sao Paulo was special, so special that many believe greatness is hard to repeat however Mexico fans await their arrival to push the boys beyond greatness and make their shows the best.  North America is right around the corner and the time has come for those fans to finally see Bono and the rest of the band.  

Tickets for all shows are still available can be found online

U2's Edge wins housing battle

Remember that little story about Edge’s interest in building a house, well it looks to be all over now. The fight has ended and The Edge has won approval to move ahead -

U2 rocker The Edge has won a major victory in his fight to build five mansions on a plot of land in Malibu, California - a local agency has agreed to drop opposition to the plans.

The Irish musician has been battling since 2006 to win approval for a development project which will see him turn the 156-acre Sweetwater Mesa estate into a community of homes. Local residents have opposed the plans because of the environmental impact the development will allegedly have.

Officials at the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy board previously spoke out against the bid, but have now agreed to drop their opposition after reaching a deal with The Edge which will see him and his business partners help the agency conserve land around the site.

A spokesman for The Edge and his partners tells the Los Angeles Times, “The property owners are proud of what they’ve accomplished with the conservancy, and they look forward to continuing to work with the Malibu community and other stakeholders.”

While a statement from the agency reads, “The conservancy entered into this agreement in order to maximise the benefit for the public if the project is approved.”

'Glastonbury on steroids'

U2 have promised they will play an epic, stadium-like performance at this year’s Glastonbury festival.

Bassist Adam Clayton told Q that the band’s headline performance on the Pyramid Stage on the Friday (June 24) of the Somerset bash will have grand production values.

Clayton said: “It’s very un-Glastonbury to have a big production but we will be sneaking a few things in through the back gate which will hopefully make this experience a little more like Glastonbury on steroids.”

He added: “We’re stretching the level of what can be done. We hope to create a mind blowing experience that reacts well with all the other substances involved.”