David Byrne Pays U2 a Backhanded Compliment
- Posted on Jul 28th 2009 2:30PM by Dan Reilly
- Comments (36)
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.





Reader Comments(1 of 2)
ledouxralphat 7-28-2009
rht on dave just as we expect
clunkbonkersat 7-28-2009
Ahhhh... Where's Adam Ant when you need him?
pugprdctnsat 7-28-2009
I saw David Byrne at a local venue in NJ 2 months ago. His show was amazing.
I've listened to the current U2 album. Clearly, Bono must have lost a bet.
AzR8drfanat 7-28-2009
u2 is a hack!!
APat 7-28-2009
AzR8drfan: I think you're the hack here. U2's been around nearly thirty years making music. Can you claim the same thing?
starswithnolightat 7-28-2009
I can't stand U2 and bono is so up himself it's not even funny. 40 mil for a stage? are you serious? take the 40 mil and feed the entire continent of Africa since it means so freakin much to you. loser.
Namasteat 7-29-2009
Starwithnolight for sure, U2 and Bono have pretty much rebuilt Ireland ( not to mention Africa)and made it a very respectable modern country.
Something they(Ireland)and England have not allowed or been able to do.you should see one of their shows sometime and I'd bet your opinion changes.
Stay in peace
AzR8drfanat 7-28-2009
HEY AP..I'VE BEEN AROUND 49 YRS,THEY STOPPED MAKING MUSIC 10 YRS AGO...IS THAT BETTER MR/MRS SENSITIVE?
bruinswill23at 7-28-2009
sorry nsync is no longer together mr.49..its to bad U2 is a little bigger and more successful than your garage band ..lol.. ( lol stands for "laugh out loud" ) since you havent opened your ears for the past 10 years...hahha ,wait i think bono has a meeting with the president right now to talk about africa...not to mention they played for the country at the presidential concert!! haha
greffat 7-28-2009
U2, probably as overrated as they come. Nothing memorable musically since Achtung Baby. Bono, as most folks have commented, so arrogant and full of himself, he has an odor of ego and pompousness that reeks. that's OK though, you see, they've gone corporate and hooked up with electronics companies that make U2 look so with it by association,the proliteriate eats up the total gloss package (TGP).
mugsat 7-28-2009
Your comment could'nt be more true. The Edge could use a few lessons !!!! There was a time in 83-85 when The The Talking Heads Ruled period..... Bono could'nt shine David Byrnes shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!
obiwan2112at 7-28-2009
Hey Bono! How big's YOUR carbon footprint? No matter what the answer, you can take your arrogance and stick it where the sun don't shine.
pkacpat 7-28-2009
An amazing show at University of Buffalo by David, absolutely the best!!! U2 can blow me with their overstaged crap that I could not afford to scalpers!!
blueticklamat 7-28-2009
U2 blows ,has done so for 10 yrs ! I wear my sunglasses at night !
To The New Jeffat 7-28-2009
Spinner takes a statement out of context, uses it to make people angry, then glories in Creating more gossip crap. Spinner is a worthless page made by worthless people. Everyone who works for a gossip based business should be treated like the enemies of humanity they are.
kropl11at 7-28-2009
U2 is one of the top 5 overrated bands of all-time with the Rolling Stones and the Police and Bono couldnt hold most front man's jock straps.
Mikeat 7-28-2009
Dear Bono,
#1. Remove the sunglasses...you look like a fool. They are so ten years ago.
#2. Put your $ where your mouth is...use the 40 mil toward your humanitarin efforts instead of an overpriced, commercial, rip-off show.
#3. Lose your arrogant attitude and chill...you've come down quite a few pegs in the public eye.
Peace,
Favs
Cliffat 7-28-2009
Here is a collection of videos of David Byrne & U2 if you would like to see them. - Not a Sales pitch.
http://www.video.e-bookssite.com/list.php?q=david+Byrne&Submit=GO --------------------------
http://www.video.e-bookssite.com/U2/page2.html
bruinswill23at 7-28-2009
bono is the man. jealous???? go back to listening to your depressing bands
ericbandat 7-28-2009
All of you, chill! Comparing David Byrne and Talking Heads to U2 makes no sense. Totally different music; totally different minds at work and totally different sets of goals, musically and commercially. U2 have been one of the biggest rock bands for the last 30 years running. Like their music or not, that's a fact. Byrne is an extremely creative individual but has a totally different set of goals when he creates. He never TRIED to be the biggest thing in the world. Never wanted to be; he just wanted to make the best music he could. And he succeeded. U2 DID want to be the biggest rock band in the world. And they succeeded. End of story for both of them. So just chill with the hate. Relax and enjoy your music, whatever it is.