U2 has always been characterized for being a politically and socially active band. Beyond doing music for the masses, they also give their thoughts about what is happening to them. The most recent episode was after to the horrendous terror attack that happened in Manchester. As they used their minutes in the late show of “Jimmy Kimel Live!” on Tuesday night to talk about it. While also taking a few shots on everything that is currently happening in the world.
The Irish band, who went to the show almost in all black for the grief, denunciated the attack and the nonsense of hate, that has sadly cost several lives and injured many others. Along with their support messages towards Manchester, its citizens and its great fighting spirit.
Manchester attack and their strength
The terror attacks that occurred on Manchester last Monday night. They were carried out by a suicide bomber.The bomber was identified as Salman Abedi. Abedi, who was only 22-years-old and a local born-and-raised. He detonated a device in the foyer of Manchester Arena as crowds were leaving an Ariana Grande concert. Leaving a total of 22 dead persons and 64 injured ones. A further policial investigation revealed that he came back to England four days previous to the attack. Since his parents were refugees of Gaddafi and went back to their origin country after he was deposed. Also, he called his mother a few hours before the attack and say “please forgive me”. The Islamic States group (a.k.a. ISIS) have claimed responsibility for perpetuating it.
After the horrible events, on Wednesday, three more people were arrested in connection with the attack. As troops and policemen were deployed onto the streets of the city and the U.K. after the government raised the terrorist threat level to critical for the first time since July 2007. Due to the nature of the attack and the city victim of the horrible crime, many politicians, celebrities and mostly artists and sports figures have sent their best wishes to the victims.
Even rivals soccer teams Manchester City and Manchester United have joined in efforts with the “A City United” slogan. Where even players from the clubs have donated money to the victims’ families. Also, in the case of United, their participation on the final of the UEFA Europa League was dedicated to the affected people. With a minute of silence before the kick off and the dedication of the victory, The Manchester club won the match.
As activist and UK citizens U2 raised their voices
Regarding the horror, as artists, activist, and UK citizens, the band U2 pronounciate themselves against such atrocities. As frontman Bono said “They hate music, they hate women, they even hate little girls. They hate everything that we love. And, you know, the worst of humanity was viewed in Manchester last night”. Stil he took the time to praise Manchester for their fighting spirit, and because in the worst situations is when true compassion and unity is shown. Bono continued: “And so was the best as people took perfect strangers into their hands and queued up for blood banks. Manchester has an undefeatable spirit, I can assure you”.
U2 against terrorism
It’s not the first time that U2, and Bono, have raised their voices against terrorism. Since back in 2015, one of the first and most life-changing events of modern terrorist attacks happened. After 89 people were killed during an Eagles of Death Metal concert in Paris. As a response U2 later brought the band for a for a show of unity. Previously, the band’s song “Walk On” became an emotional unofficial anthem of resilience after the September 11 attacks. Especially since the band performed it during a charity concert.
After talking about the Manchester attack they went to another difficult topic: Trump. Obviously, the president of the US didn’t get any praise from the band. Again, lead singer Bono intervened saying that despite his dislike for the now POTUS, he has been talking to many people who voted for him and he knows understands why they voted for him. “I have so much respect for a lot of the people who voted President Trump into office. I really understand the anger, I have some of that anger myself coming from where we came from. Understand people being disillusioned in the political process. Don’t think he’s the cure for this problem and I think he might even make it worse“.
Following the political discussion, U2 performed at the show. Also, they added that the next U2 album will come in the next 27 years. Making a surprise as they played their 1987 hit “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”. Currently, the band is on tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their iconic album “The Joshua Tree”. That will be getting a deluxe anniversary reissue that’s out next month. The band also performed their new song, “The Little Things That Give You Away”.
Source: belfasttelegraph.com