Bono and Zane Lowe sitting down for a chat is always going to be an event, and their recent conversation about U2’s SONGS OF SURRENDER did not disappoint. Far from a mere promotional plug, the interview delved deep into the very essence of artistic legacy, vulnerability, and the ongoing dialogue between an artist and their work. What emerged was an insightful look at why a band like U2, already etched into the annals of rock history, would choose to revisit, reimagine, and even “surrender” their most iconic songs.
One of the most striking takeaways from the interview is Bono’s almost disarming honesty about the motivations behind SONGS OF SURRENDER. This isn’t just about acoustifying old hits; it’s a profound act of re-examination. Bono speaks about feeling that some of the original recordings were “underwritten” or that the songs themselves had grown and evolved beyond their initial sonic frames. This humility, from a frontman of one of the biggest bands in the world, is refreshing. It speaks to a genuine artistic curiosity that refuses to rest on past laurels.
Lowe, with his characteristic ability to draw out profound observations, guided Bono through a conversation that explored the idea of “surrender” not as defeat, but as a form of liberation. For U2, this meant stripping back the bombast and the stadium-filling production to reveal the raw, often intimate, core of the songs. Bono eloquently articulated how this process allowed the lyrics and melodies to breathe in new ways, sometimes uncovering meanings that had been obscured by the sheer force of their original arrangements. It’s a testament to the enduring power of good songwriting that these tracks can hold up, and even flourish, in such a dramatically different context.
The conversation also touched upon the inherent challenge of revisiting cherished material. Fans have deep emotional connections to the original versions, and any alteration can feel like a transgression. However, Bono made a compelling case for the artist’s right, and perhaps even responsibility, to engage with their own work over time. He spoke about how his voice has changed, how his understanding of the world has deepened, and how these shifts inevitably impact how he connects with the songs he wrote decades ago. SONGS OF SURRENDER isn’t an attempt to erase the past, but rather to acknowledge the present and allow the songs to mature alongside their creators.
Beyond the musical aspects, the interview offered fascinating glimpses into Bono’s philosophy on creativity, fame, and the relentless pursuit of relevance. He discussed the collaborative nature of U2, the constant push and pull within the band that has fueled their longevity, and the ongoing search for new ways to connect with an audience. There’s a tangible sense of an artist who is still learning, still experimenting, and still deeply passionate about the power of music to move and inspire.
In a world saturated with nostalgia acts and easy cash-ins, SONGS OF SURRENDER, as illuminated by this insightful interview, feels different. It’s an act of artistic courage, a testament to the enduring power of songs, and a profound statement about the ongoing journey of an artist. For fans and casual listeners alike, it’s a compelling invitation to rediscover familiar melodies through a fresh, vulnerable, and deeply human lens.
📺 NEW TRAILER ALERT 📺
Premiering Aug 28, THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB follows four retirees who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun - based on @misterosman’s bestselling novel.
Visit irishfilmtv.com for more!
🎭 LEGEND RETURNS TO THE STAGE 🎭
From Mad-Eye Moody to Uncle Pastuzo, Brendan Gleeson has captivated us on screen for decades. Now he`s making his WEST END DEBUT in THE WEIR! Dublin first (Aug 8-Sep 6) then London`s Harold Pinter Theatre (Sep 12-Dec 6).
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🎭 From beloved DERRY GIRL to Chekhov star!
Saoirse-Monica Jackson is trading the screen for the stage in Kabosh`s bold new adaptation of THREE SISTERS at @gaiety_theatre.
Visit irishfilmtv.com for ticket links!
Liam Neeson just crushed it as Frank Drebin Jr. in THE NAKED GUN and now he`s diving headfirst into horror comedy with COLD STORAGE.
At 72, Neeson is still choosing the wildest projects and we`re absolutely here for it. COLD STORAGE hits theaters next year!
Watch the crazy trailer at irishfilmtv.com.
NEW trailer alert! 🎬 From STAR WARS galaxies to Ohio newsrooms!
Domhnall Gleeson is trading his General Hux uniform for editor-in-chief duties in THE PAPER - @peacock!`s brilliant new spin on THE OFFICE universe.
Premiering Sep 4, watch trailer at irishfilmtv.com.
From the Scottish Highlands to the boxing ring 🥊✨
Caitriona Balfe trades tartan for training gloves in THE CUT, Sean Ellis` brutal psychological boxing drama.
Our OUTLANDER queen steps WAY outside her comfort zone as Caitlin - wife, trainer, and witness to Orlando Bloom`s obsessed fighter spiraling toward self-destruction.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🎵 "Music to scare priests and politicians" 🎵
@celtic_utopia is shaking up everything you thought you knew about Irish folk music. This isn`t your typical Celtic sound— it`s raw, rebellious, and revolutionary.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
DERRY GIRLS and GAME OF THRONES star Ian McElhinney hits the stage at @theeverymancork!
Running until Aug 10th - STONES IN HIS POCKETS has heart, humor, and a Hollywood ending that`ll leave you grinning! 🎭
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Hollywood heavyweights Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander as... otherworldly beings? 👀
Na Hong-jin is BACK! After 10 years since THE WAILING left us speechless, the master of psychological horror returns with HOPE - hitting theaters next summer!
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🎬 From "I will find you" to "I will make you laugh" - Liam Neeson is trading his particular set of skills for punchlines in THE NAKED GUN!
Is this Neeson`s Leslie Nielsen moment? Could we be witnessing the birth of comedy`s newest unlikely hero?
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Andrew Scott`s BLUE MOON trailer released!
Shot in Ireland, this Richard Linklater gem pairs Scott with Ethan Hawke for a 1943 Broadway drama that`s already being called a masterpiece. Scott plays composer Richard Rodgers in what critics are calling his most nuanced performance yet 🎵
Watch trailer at irishfilmtv.com.
🎩✨ Daryl McCormack is trading modern drama for Regency romance! The GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE star has officially joined Netflix`s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE adaptation as the charming Mr. Bingley 💕
From intimate character studies to Jane Austen`s ballrooms - this Irish talent continues to prove his incredible range! He`ll be swooning alongside Emma Corrin, Jack Lowden, and Olivia Colman in what promises to be THE period drama event of 2025 👑
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🔥 @sarahbolger is bringing Irish fire to Hell`s Kitchen! 🔥
The MAYANS MC star just landed a killer role in MGM+`s THE WESTIES - a gritty crime series about NYC`s most notorious Irish gang.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🌊 WOKEN: When you wake up on a remote Irish island with no memory, surrounded by "loved ones" you don`t recognize... and that`s just the beginning 😱
@mr_friel `s atmospheric thriller serves up classic ingredients: windswept Irish cliffs, flickering candlelight, and Maxine Peake being suspiciously kind.
Stream now on @mubi.
🎬 Paul Mescal is about to make us all cry again... and we`re here for it 😭
From NORMAL PEOPLE to gladiator to heartbreaking folk song collector – is there anything this man can`t do?
THE HISTORY OF SOUND hits theaters September 19. Consider this your tissue warning ⚠️
Trailer now at irishfilmtv.com.
