Could U2 Go Fully Digital?

Larry Lootsteen - Conestogo, Ontario, Canada

As we all know, the CD is dying.  It is not gone yet but it will be.  As our musical content of life shifts away from the traditional, this is just another media platform that has seen its day.  Despite the resurgence of vinyl, I can't see anything similar for the compact disc.  Particularly due to sound quality.

So it begs the question why any band or record company would go through the expense of producing this dead format.  Big name bands are going to have to the lead the way to the final abyss here.  Indie bands have already embraced the new world.  Who will lead the way?

We know U2 has content ready to go.  It is coming and in many ways this will be make or break them for the next and hopefully final decade of U2 (I say that with love - I want grace to surround their departure - never to return).  Could U2 lead the charge in the death of our former favourite shiny circle?

I don't have any clue but my expectation is no, they will put out another CD this time around.  My hope if that they will embrace the future (rumour has it that it needs a big kiss - the future is a needy bugger) and leave the dying format to its impending doom.  With all the options for streaming, apps, downloads and bonus content that they could drive and innovate, I really hope they take the plunge.  If they truly want to reconnect as the world's biggest band, they should do this now.  We know sales in CD format will continue to fall so why not make it happen?

As Radio Dies...

Larry Lootsteen - Conestogo, Ontario, Canada

We can see it coming can't we?  How many of you listen to the radio these days?  Do you?  At home?  Not likely so much anymore.  If you are like me, you only hear any radio in the car.  And even that is becoming less frequent.

If you go to car shows or pay any attention to information coming out in articles or on the news, you'll realize the audio systems in new cars are no longer radio-centric.  'Infotainment' consoles are the way of the future with internet connected cars.  You'll be able to stream music or connect your phone or iPod or whatever device.

As radio dies, what does that mean for the artists?  It is clear that online, music is not money.  Bands are having to create their own revenue streams and most indie artists give away their music to generate fans and use social media to connect.  There's some real creativity with bands selling original sheet music of new songs or having VIP experiences for their new fans.

So what does this mean to a band like U2?

To me, not very much.  They've have always been decently progressive and they have all the money they would ever need for generations of their families.  As their career slowly works towards a close, they have nothing left to prove.  What would I like from them at this point?

I think it would be great if they took some of their vast wealth and invested in providing a model for young bands to be able to survive and grow.  Maybe create a non-label that supports artists in their development.  A non-profit type organization on a global scale that provides paths to revenue that they could not do on their own.

Let me ask a not-so-nice question.

Do you believe U2, for all their generosity in the charitable world, are capable of doing something for music that does not give them direct revenue?  Can the money machine that is U2 leave a legacy beyond their disocography and touring records?  I, for one, have my doubts.  I know they have done a lot to support certain artists, especially in Ireland.  Are they capable, or even want, to leave a different kind of legacy?  I'm not so sure.

What I do know is they have the clout and the connections to be involved.  They've worked hard to get where they are.  Will they go away and sit on the beach?  Or would one, some or all of them provide a parting gift for the generations of new musicians that follow?

With A Shout

Larry Lootsteen - Conestogo, Ontario, Canada

We all have those songs that we associate with a time in life.  Me being old and all I tend towards the songs from my beginning period with U2.  That 1980-1983 period was special for me.  Late teens.  Plenty of angst and anger.  And songs like With A Shout were something I could crank and just let that steam off screaming lyrics and dancing with utter abandon in my room.

Many of you will have your own songs by U2 and others that define the moments of your life.  Music is that glue that holds our worlds together.  Like smells, music becomes the trigger to our memories.  One note and you know those immediately.  They take you back.

They where so young, yet so talented...Those tight jeans rocked LoL

While my musical tastes and ever expanded and grown, many in my, and other, age groups tend to remain with their ears in that period.  For my age group, the 80's is where most remain with their listening.  My trigger songs cross decades.

Follow You, Follow Me will ever be the wedding memory.  Two Hearts a reminder of the time I met my still, almost 27 years later, wife.  Seconds my ever present war protest song.  The Clash's Magnificent Seven will be a song that my kids fell in love with and we'd all sing the 'Vacuum cleaner sucks up budgie, ohhhhh, owwwwww'.  Sung in unison as only family can!

While I want to hear what songs, particularly U2, soundtrack your life, don't limit it.  What songs are your moments?  Bring you tears?  Express your anger, With A Shout...