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David Byrne Pays U2 a Backhanded Compliment

Known as something of a musical chameleon, former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has proved himself a master of another art: backhanded compliments. In a journal entry on his official Web site, Byrne takes aim at U2's massive world tour, crediting it for paying for his current tour while saying it's an overblown spectacle.

"The promoter of [our] dates, and of much of the U2 stadium tour, is Live Nation, the global conglomerate," Byrne writes, explaining that the Warsaw venue he'd just performed in is way too small to pay for his entire show. "It's not like they can charge $200 a seat and make up their losses that way -- this is a standing room club ... with a floor made of plywood. So in order to book our date, [Livenation] must (we figure) be losing money now, then making it up with what they expect to earn on the upcoming U2 stadium dates."

The current U2 '360° Tour,' which kicked off at the end of June, includes shows across Europe and the U.S. before wrapping up on October 28. "Those stadium shows may possibly be the most extravagant and expensive (production-wise) ever: $40 million to build the stage and, having done the math, we estimate 200 semi trucks crisscrossing Europe for the duration," Byrne writes."It could be professional envy speaking here, but it sure looks like, well, overkill, and just a wee bit out of balance given all the starving people in Africa and all."

And with that zinger that could only be aimed at Bono's humanitarian efforts, Byrne admits that he might just be a little jealous. "Maybe it's the fact that we were booted off our Letterman spot so U2 could keep their exclusive week-long run that's making me less than charitable?" he asks. "Take your pick -- but thanks, guys!" Way to go, David -- that's probably the politest dissing of U2 and Live Nation we've ever heard.

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rebel12457

Talking Heads?????
Are you kidding me, i would see them any day over u2.
U2 BLOWS!!!!!!!!!

July 17 2011 at 5:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DAWN

Bono is a tool.
U2 blow donkeys.

August 15 2009 at 5:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Frau Edwards

U2:One of the worlds biggest rockbands for nearly 3 decades.Internationally known and acclaimed for thier style music and charity work.

Talking Heads:????..[enough said]

August 02 2009 at 12:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rob

U2 used to be a champion for the cause. Probably the best first two albums of release since the Beatles White Album. But since, in my opinion, nothing but empty, self promoting "look at me, I'm helping Africa" pish.
Get back to your roots man.

July 29 2009 at 6:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jo

saved from what?

July 29 2009 at 6:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wlampe

So Bonoooooooooo, what's the carbon footprint of your "spectacle with 200 semi trucks crisscrossing Europe"? You're quite the environmental hypocrit. Kinda like the elitist racist pissant of a U.S,. president, whom you cotton up to.....

July 29 2009 at 5:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
elementuup115

U2/Bono is NWO trash...

July 29 2009 at 4:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Madeleine

To namaste, Bono moved most of his businesws out of Ireland to avoid paying taxes there, he moves his money through Holland. He doesn't do much except ask us to give money to Africa and demand that other countries do the same. I never knew what anyone saw in his music , I never liked it, I love David Byrne though, glad to hear he is still touring and who is better than Keith Ricahards or the rolling stones, even now. Bono is over and I still wonder how he got where he is. Ireland is doing well because they have a low business and corporate tax and a lot of people are investing there, Bono didn't do that.

July 29 2009 at 4:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lilred39

really...in this time frame, their age...they gotta have sumthin for the crowd...ifn its not for the good they will pay in the end!I imagine there will be a good crowd for all their shows!

July 29 2009 at 4:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bowl80066

I wouldn't go see U2 even if I was paid to. Rush has been around for 30+ years also. And musically there is no comparison. U2 writes radio friendly pop songs and tries to be socially significant. They are a fraud. Jealous or not David Byrne is spot on in his comments.

July 29 2009 at 3:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply