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.
🏆 RIVALS just scooped the International Emmy for Best Drama Series!
The Disney+ hit starring Irish talents Aidan Turner and Victoria Smurfit brought home the gold for this deliciously scandalous 1980s romp through the world of wealthy media types.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
From THE COMMITMENTS to THE TUDORS to KIN, @mariadoylekennedy has built a career that defies categories.
In a brand new interview with The Irish Examiner, Maria opens up about the artists and art that shaped her creative journey—from her Dublin roots to international screens and stages.
Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.
🎭 From Shakespeare to a Beatle: Paul Mescal is doing the impossible!
Oscar-nominated Irish actor Paul Mescal is taking on TWO iconic roles that prove he`s one of the most fearless actors working today.
Watch Paul`s latest interview at irishfilmtv.com.
Kerry Condon`s brief but powerful performance in TRAIN DREAMS is pitch perfect.
She inhabits her character with quiet competence, moving through a male-dominated world with both caution and grace.
Watch now on @netflix!
🎬 HAMNET stars to receive Vanguard Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards!
A stunning meditation on love`s fragility and art`s power to transform suffering into transcendence. This is Irish talent at its absolute finest on the world stage.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Netflix just quietly dropped a crime thriller you`ve been sleeping on, and Brendan Gleeson`s performance alone makes it mandatory viewing.
MR MERCEDES, Stephen King`s dark detective series that somehow flew under the radar, is finally streaming – and it`s everything fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers have been craving.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Andrew Scott is about to steal another movie and we`re absolutely here for it! 🔍
The trailer for WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY has dropped, and our beloved Irish actor is joining Daniel Craig`s Benoit Blanc for what looks like the most deliciously twisted instalment yet.
Scott plays bestselling author Lee Ross, one of several suspects in a seemingly impossible murder that rocks a small town`s religious community.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
From GLADIATOR II`s arena to the quiet forests of Maine collecting folk songs on wax cylinders—Paul Mescal`s latest role in THE HISTORY OF SOUND might be his most vulnerable yet.
Now on @amazonprime, the film follows Lionel, a shy musician from a Kentucky farm in the 1910s, who meets David White (Josh O`Connor) at the New England Conservatory.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
For more than two decades, Domhnall Gleeson has carved out one of the most diverse and compelling careers in contemporary cinema.
Watch Domhnall break down his career in his latest @esquire interview!
Link in bio ❤️
Adapted from Louise Kennedy`s bestselling novel, TRESPASSES stars Gillian Anderson as executive producer and cast member.
Kennedy praises the "ear-perfect, sexy script" and "gorgeously melancholic aesthetic vision" that brings her Women`s Prize-shortlisted novel to life.
Premieres Sunday 9pm on Channel 4, more at irishfilmtv.com.
THE IRIS AFFAIR is a high-stakes chase thriller that turns Italy into a deadly playground where genius meets danger.
Created by LUTHER mastermind Neil Cross, this Sky Original delivers cinematic tension where trust is fatal and every move could be your last. Two minds. One secret. No escape.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
** NEW TRAILER ALERT **
Roadside Attractions has unveiled the first trailer for H IS FOR HAWK, and it`s breathtaking. Brendan Gleeson appears as the father whose absence shapes everything, bringing his signature depth to a role that haunts the entire film.
Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.
🎬 HAMNET has officially overtaken Paul Thomas Anderson`s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER as the Oscar frontrunner!
Chloé Zhao`s Shakespeare-inspired drama now leads with a 96.8% chance of nomination, fueled by its Telluride buzz and Toronto People`s Choice win.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
The DERRY GIRLS creator is back with HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST — and it`s the show Lisa McGee says she`s always wanted to make. 🍀
Three childhood friends. One mysterious death. A wake that goes sideways. Eight episodes of chaos, secrets, and arguments about eyelash extensions.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Pierce Brosnan trades his 007 tuxedo for raw, devastating drama in CURTAIN CALL—arriving on digital November 10.
Starring opposite Jessica Lange, Brosnan continues his brilliant pivot from action hero to serious character actor, exploring the heartbreaking reality of dementia in the theatre world.
Watch trailer on irishfilmtv.com.
