Bono and Irish Begrudgery

mullyboyee · 12-07-2017 11:34PM #1

Just read this article and it offers various reasons for the general dislike among Irish people for U2/Bono.

Personally I think it's simple begrudgery. Most people I know have this dislike for Bono, which I don't agree with, but these same people would like the music and even go to U2 gigs.

So what is the consensus on here about Bono?

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/12/where-the-streets-have-no-statues-why-do-the-irish-hate-u2

Guy:Incognito · 12-07-2017 11:37PM

Maybe the people just want to hear the music and not be preached to? If he wants to give a sermon, he can organise a stage in the park and let people show up. Charging people whatever the cost of a concert ticket is then giving them your view on politics or whatever you next project is isn't what they want.

If it was plain begrudgery , surely the rest of the band would get the same?

Ipso · 12-07-2017 11:37PM

Remember the episode of The Simpsons where Bono starts to talk about Springfield's rubbish in the middle of the concert, and either The Edge or Adam face palms. That's kind of how I feel about him.

buried · 12-07-2017 11:41PM

Bono is auld news man. We're all Budgerigareein on Conor McGregor these days

Guy:Incognito · 12-07-2017 11:42PM

buried wrote: »

We're all Budgerigareein on Conor McGregor these days

The suit he's all over the place in from the other day about sums up my thoughts on him.

pumpkin4life · 12-07-2017 11:44PM

U2 is crap. They're like Spinal Tap in they've jumped on bandwagons and music scenes from far better bands (post punk, euro electronica, stadium rock etc) and like Spinal Tap, a pretentious vacuous and humorless (at least Spinal Tap had that Jack The Ripper rock opera in the works) bunch of lads; accompanied by mediocre technical ability and bollocks pretentious lyrics. You're a bunch of tosspots from middle class Dublin. Why are you writing songs about Martin Luther King and black African babies with AIDS?

Also, Ireland is responsible for Aphex Twin, My Bloody Valentine, Primordial, Van Morrison. Stiff Little Fingers. Rory Gallagher, The Pogues, Thin Lizzy etc. We've had an incredible influence on music and that spectacled muppet is more popular than all of them?

That's fine, but they also can't write atmospheric or good songs for bum.

As for Irish begrudgey, well it's true, but Bono really is a giant benny.

12-07-2017 11:48PM

Then why are other Irish 'celebrities' not disliked as much as Bono?

I've never heard a bad word said about Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, or Conor McGregor, except in jest. Even multi-billionaires like Sean Quinn, before his fall from grace, was a highly popular man. Ditto for Irish sporting figures who have achieved enormous success, from Aidan O'Brien, to Sonia O'Sullivan, Brian O'Driscoll, and the O'Donovan brothers.

Anyone who thinks we are inherently begrudging most not be aware of the tone of public discourse regarding such high-achievers.

Bono just strikes me as being an egocentric, pompous so-and-so. It's not us, it's him.

12-07-2017 11:49PM

mullyboyee wrote: »

Just read this article and it offers various reasons for the general dislike among Irish people for U2/Bono.

Personally I think it's simple begrudgery. Most people I know have this dislike for Bono, which I don't agree with, but these same people would like the music and even go to U2 gigs.

You just completely contradicted yourself right there.

12-07-2017 11:50PM

mullyboyee wrote: »

So what is the consensus on here about Bono?

He could put his money where his mouth is and start paying his fair proportion of tax before lecturing governments about how they should be generous towards poorer peoples with public monies?

Bono's hypocrisy on Africa, corporate tax avoidance in Ireland

Other than that he, like Geldof, just sounds like a loud-mouthed, vacuous, image-obsessed gobshite without any depth. I don't care if he's a decent enough, even a good singer of pop tunes. As singers go, he's not at the same standard of Luke Kelly and has none of the connection to place, community and tradition - the depth - that Kelly brought with his music. Despite Bloody Sunday, Bono's music is essentially placeless and more shallow for that reason. He could be from anywhere, or nowhere. And his fair share of tax is certainly paid nowhere.

Bushmanpm · 12-07-2017 11:51PM

The One Campaign
Paid 5 million in wages and 100,000 towards the actual cause.
Cuz charidee!

"...that Bono would turn up for the opening of an envelope!"
Marian Keyes

appledrop · 12-07-2017 11:54PM

Its not Begrudgery. Bono is a totally idiot + hypocrite. He goes on about poor countries + the west cutting their debts blah blah blah yet he doesn't bother paying taxes in his own country which would have helped during the recession. No time for him at all. Don't mind the rest of U2.

endacl · 12-07-2017 11:58PM

appledrop wrote: »

Its not Begrudgery. Bono is a totally idiot + hypocrite. He goes on about poor countries + the west cutting their debts blah blah blah yet he doesn't bother paying taxes in his own country which would have helped during the recession. No time for him at all. Don't mind the rest of U2.

Jaysis, don't go oversimplifyin' things too much there. People might think ye haven't a clue atall atall...

AllForIt · 13-07-2017 12:23AM

I have never ever got U2. I'm not into bands anyway so that could somewhat explain it. But not quite...because I observe all genres of music and can understand what the attraction to it is even if it doesn't rock my boat. But with U2 I don't even get that.

sabat · 13-07-2017 01:18AM

pumpkin4life wrote: »

Also, Ireland is responsible for Aphex Twin, My Bloody Valentine, Primordial, Van Morrison. Stiff Little Fingers. Rory Gallagher, The Pogues, Thin Lizzy etc. We've had an incredible influence on music and that spectacled muppet is more popular than all of them?

Don't "claim" Aphex Twin as Irish; it's incredibly cringey.

Yourself isit · 13-07-2017 01:21AM

Bushmanpm wrote: »

The One Campaign
Paid 5 million in wages and 100,000 towards the actual cause.
Cuz charidee!

"...that Bono would turn up for the opening of an envelope!"
Marian Keyes

Have you got a source for the One campaign.

Yourself isit · 13-07-2017 01:22AM

AllForIt wrote: »

I have never ever got U2. I'm not into bands anyway so that could somewhat explain it. But not quite...because I observe all genres of music and can understand what the attraction to it is even if it doesn't rock my boat. But with U2 I don't even get that.

I think people like the music.

Outlaw Pete · 13-07-2017 01:50AM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Then why are other Irish 'celebrities' not disliked as much as Bono?

I've never heard a bad word said about Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, or Conor McGregor, except in jest. Even multi-billionaires like Sean Quinn, before his fall from grace, was a highly popular man. Ditto for Irish sporting figures who have achieved enormous success, from Aidan O'Brien, to Sonia O'Sullivan, Brian O'Driscoll, and the O'Donovan brothers.

Ah come on :P

fatknacker · 13-07-2017 01:56AM

The reason they are so disliked is because they are not yet dead.

BlinkingLights · 13-07-2017 02:01AM

To be quite honest, I think Irish 'begrudgery' or at least an unwillingness to fall for the cult of celebrity is a very positive thing. Take a look over in the USA and see what happens when celebrity is put ahead of all else.

Bono's a decent musician and U2 are an incrediably successful and long-lived band, up there with any of the greats of all time. However, that doesn't mean that we will ever fall around salivating over them in a sycophantic way. That's not to say they're not good, or impressive, it's just that as a nation, we don't do that kind of thing.

13-07-2017 02:10AM

Outlaw Pete wrote: »

Ah come on :P

Nope... I've never heard a genuinely serious, negative comment about Conor McGregor, only comments that were said in a light-hearted manner.

In fact, most of the same people who joked about how trashy he is, would also have said 'fair play to him, a few years ago he was on the dole'.

Any comparison with Bono is simply not what I have personally experienced, but maybe I'm an exception.

Ditto Brian O'Driscoll. Surely he's one of the most inoffensive men in Irish public life? Again, maybe that's just my experience, but to compare him to Bono seems totally exaggerated.

13-07-2017 03:12AM

McGregor is definitely hated by loads, it's part of his appeal and he'd tell you that himself. Some tune in to see him back up his claims, others do so to see him knocked out and shut up. He's like Prince Naseem Hamed in that regard. He's one of the most polarising figures there is.

Canis Lupus · 13-07-2017 05:32AM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Nope... I've never heard a genuinely serious, negative comment about Conor McGregor, only comments that were said in a light-hearted manner.

In fact, most of the same people who joked about how trashy he is, would also have said 'fair play to him, a few years ago he was on the dole'.

Any comparison with Bono is simply not what I have personally experienced, but maybe I'm an exception.

Ditto Brian O'Driscoll. Surely he's one of the most inoffensive men in Irish public life? Again, maybe that's just my experience, but to compare him to Bono seems totally exaggerated.

I think Conor is a douche.

dr.fuzzenstein · 13-07-2017 06:47AM

I think it's the sunglasses and the fact he comes across as loud, confident and brash at times.
All things Irish people hate. Add to that a flamboyant dress sense (while being straight) and there you have it:
Jaysis, will ye look at da fookin' state a him, he must think de sun shines out his arse, if I'll ever meet him, I'll clock him!
Proper paddy is supposed to dress in drab Dunne's gear, mumble and look at his feet when speaking.

13-07-2017 07:02AM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Nope... I've never heard a genuinely serious, negative comment about Conor McGregor, only comments that were said in a light-hearted manner.

In fact, most of the same people who joked about how trashy he is, would also have said 'fair play to him, a few years ago he was on the dole'.

Any comparison with Bono is simply not what I have personally experienced, but maybe I'm an exception.

Ditto Brian O'Driscoll. Surely he's one of the most inoffensive men in Irish public life? Again, maybe that's just my experience, but to compare him to Bono seems totally exaggerated.

McGregor is a racist misogynist and only good for kicking heads. Albeit very good at it.

Bono is pompous and overbearing, and not a big fan of U2. But sheesh give me him any day over McGregor "ahhhhhh jaaaaaaaaaysis, yis have a tight ass, c'mere and ride me dick, look at me suuuuueeee-it". Just...vulgar, nasty and cheap.

RobbingBandit · 13-07-2017 07:05AM

Bono is not the Messiah he's a mook.

Irish Guitarist · 13-07-2017 07:06AM

If he wants to do something for charity good on him but he doesn't have to bang on about it. His preaching sounds disingenuous.

Look at someone like Prince. He did loads of work for charities and didn't want anyone to know about it. It didn't come out until after he died how much good he had done. And people enjoyed themselves at his concerts. They didn't have to worry they were going to spend the night being lectured and guilt tripped.

Plenty of people who aren't Irish think Bono is a prick.

VinLieger · 13-07-2017 07:40AM

Could have something to do with his fairly heavy dodging of taxes?

That coupled with his constant preaching about everyone else doing their bit rightly pisses people off

Samaris · 13-07-2017 08:16AM

The taxes reason is definitely fair enough. I have a U2 album that I quite like - never cared if it was a "popular" one or not! (It's the silver album that has Electrical Storm as song 4 and The Hands That Built America as song 11 if that helps. I think it's silver, been a long time since I saw the case).

Pretty much totally neutral on Bono himself. I don't really have an issue with people using their platform to talk about charity work and places that need help, although I get how that's annoying to people.

If the taxes are a thing, then I agree on that though.

sbsquarepants · 13-07-2017 08:25AM

No - no one "begrudges" the edge, or the others. Bono actually IS a total dick.

Paddy Cow · 13-07-2017 10:45AM

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

I think it's the sunglasses and the fact he comes across as loud, confident and brash at times.
All things Irish people hate. Add to that a flamboyant dress sense (while being straight) and there you have it:
Jaysis, will ye look at da fookin' state a him, he must think de sun shines out his arse, if I'll ever meet him, I'll clock him!
Proper paddy is supposed to dress in drab Dunne's gear, mumble and look at his feet when speaking.

Well la-de-da Mr Fancy Pants with your Dunne's gear. Some of us can only afford Penneys :P

Tombo2001 · 13-07-2017 10:53AM

Irish people have incredible capacity to be hypocritical.

A country that people emigrated from for 200 years. But a few of those Africans come here, no we cant have that.

A country that was impoverished for decades until a strategy of low taxation was used to bring foreign multinationals to create new jobs. But an Irish rock band goes overseas to avail of low taxes, no we cant have that.

In fact - not only can not have that, we will actually accuse same band of being Hypocritical.

FFS.

Bono and Irish Begrudgery

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