BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER interview

BONO: SONGS OF SURRENDER interview

BONO: SONGS OF SURRENDER interview

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.

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U2 wins Fellowship of the Ivors Academy Award

U2 wins Fellowship of the Ivors Academy Award

U2 wins Fellowship of the Ivors Academy Award

Ed Sheeran inducted U2 into the Fellowship of The Ivors Academy Friday night in London, making them the first Irish group to receive this prestigious honor. As Bono, Edge, Adam, and Larry delivered moving speeches at the 70th edition of the world’s most celebrated gathering of songwriters, they joined an exclusive circle of just 32 legendary artists including Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, and Bruce Springsteen.

Even as they celebrated this career-defining recognition, the band announced news that sent ripples through the music world: after an eight-year gap, U2 are officially back in the studio creating new material. The extended hiatus came as drummer Larry Mullen Jr recovered from neck surgery to address years of damage from their legendary live performances, with what he describes as problems with his “elbows, knees and neck” that sidelined new recording projects save for 2023’s “Atomic City.”

“It was difficult being away because of injury,” Mullen reflected backstage, “so I’m thrilled to be back in a creative environment, even if I’m not 100% there and I’ve got some bits falling off.” His return carries particular emotional weight: “When I was away from the band, I missed it, but I didn’t realise how much I missed it.”

The past decade has seen U2 in an extended period of reflection, mining their catalog while searching for new creative directions. Their 2017 stadium tour celebrating THE JOSHUA TREE served as both nostalgic journey and artistic statement. The pandemic brought different introspection as Bono wrote his memoir “Surrender,” leading the band toward their mostly acoustic SONGS OF SURRENDER reimagining project. Last year’s Las Vegas shows recreated their 1990s Berlin reinvention around ACHTUNG BABY, followed by archival material from HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB sessions.

For Bono, this sustained look backward served a crucial purpose. “We spent a moment thinking about the past – but you do that because you need to understand where that desire to be heard came from,” he explained. “And then you can get to the present and to the future – because the sound of the future is what we’re most interested in. It doesn’t exist yet. It’s ours to make, and that’s what we have the chance to do.”

The Fellowship recognition arrives as U2’s influence feels both established and ongoing. As they return to the studio with Larry Mullen Jr back behind the kit, they face their perpetual challenge: honoring their past while creating something genuinely new. The sound of the future, as Bono puts it, remains unwritten. But if U2’s history teaches us anything, their most compelling work emerges from this tension between reflection and revolution, between understanding where they’ve been and discovering where they’re going.

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Irish Music

BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER streaming May 30

BOBO: SONGS OF SURRENDER streaming May 30

BOBO: SONGS OF SURRENDER streaming May 30

From stadium anthems to intimate confessions, U2’s cinematic journey continues to evolve with Apple Original Films’ announcement of BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER, premiering globally on Apple TV+ on May 30, 2025. True to the band’s pioneering spirit, this documentary will make history as the first feature-length film available on Apple Vision Pro in Apple Immersive Video, placing viewers directly onstage with Bono in a groundbreaking 180-degree visual experience captured in 8K with Spatial Audio.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Dominik (THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES), this documentary reimagines Bono’s critically-acclaimed one-man stage show based on his 2022 memoir, “Surrender: 40 Songs One Story.” The film peels back layers of the iconic frontman’s life, revealing intimate stories about his journey as a son who lost his mother at 14, a husband who met his wife Ali the same week he joined U2, a father, an activist, and the rockstar we’ve watched evolve over decades.

“These are the tall tales of a short rock star,” Bono quips in the trailer with characteristic self-awareness. “This is my story, I’m stuck with it.” The documentary features never-before-seen footage from his April 2023 residency at New York’s Beacon Theatre, intertwining personal reflections with performances of the iconic U2 songs that have shaped both his life and legacy.

The cinematic pedigree behind BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER is as impressive as U2’s musical credentials. The film is produced by RadicalMedia’s Oscar and Emmy-winning team Jon Kamen and Dave Sirulnick, known for SUMMER OF SOUL and HAMILTON, alongside Plan B Entertainment’s Oscar-winning producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner, whose credits include MOONLIGHT and 12 YEARS A SLAVE. Bono himself serves as executive producer alongside Jennifer Pitcher (KISS THE FUTURE) and Kelly McNamara (V-U2 AN IMMERSIVE CONCERT FILM AT SPHERE LAS VEGAS).

This latest visual offering continues U2’s long tradition of embracing innovative filmmaking to connect with audiences. From their groundbreaking concert films to documentary explorations, the band has consistently used the cinematic medium to extend their artistic vision beyond music alone. The Apple Vision Pro version represents the natural evolution of this approach, literally placing fans center stage in Bono’s narrative.

Coinciding with the film’s release, fans can look forward to an abridged and updated edition of Bono’s memoir featuring a film tie-in cover and new introduction by the author. The book, like the film, structures Bono’s life story through 40 of U2’s songs, creating a multimedia tapestry that weaves together music, memory, and meaning.

BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER represents more than just another music documentary; it’s the latest chapter in U2’s ongoing exploration of how technology and art can create deeper, more immersive connections between artist and audience. For a band that has consistently pushed boundaries since their earliest days, this cinematic journey feels like both a fitting reflection on their past and a glimpse into the future of music storytelling.

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Irish Film