Bono Says Paris Attacks Are A ‘Direct Hit On Music’
Friday’s sudden and horrific terrorist attacks in Paris have left over 100 dead, with the number steadily increasing as the days go by. Bono, frontman for the Irish rock group U2, says that this tragic event is the first “direct hit on music” since the war on terror, according to CNN.
“If you think about it, the majority of victims last night are music fans. This is the first direct hit on music that we’ve had in this so-called War on Terror or whatever it’s called.”
Six different locations throughout the city of Paris were targeted during the attacks, including mass shootings as well as suicide bombing. U2 were in the middle of rehearsals, preparing for a concert in AccorHotels Arena on the evening of November 13. Most of the victims of these attacks were simply there to enjoy live music and witness an Eagles of Death Metal concert at the historic Arena, Bono says. Those in attendance immediately ran away from the venue, scrambling to grab a hold of any friends or loved ones, at which point the suicide bombers set off their explosive vests – causing 89 deaths at the venue. The U2 concert, along with a number of other large gatherings and performances, were then cancelled.
“It’s very upsetting. These are our people. This could be me at a show, you at a show, in that venue. It’s a very recognizable situation for you and for me and the coldblooded aspect of this slaughter is deeply disturbing and that’s what I can’t get out of my head.”
2 Suspects Identified as Paris Attack Investigation Widens https://t.co/rGQGRmKAU1 pic.twitter.com/dRq4JAmyTT
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) November 15, 2015
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) November 15, 2015
After Friday’s massacre, the Dave Grohl-led rock group Foo Fighters cancelled their plans to perform in Bercy on Sunday, along with cutting their planned Turin, Lyon, and Barcelona performances, according to Variety. The band sent out a statement Saturday confirming the cancellation of the rest of their tour. Legendary pop icon Madonna played a heartfelt tribute to France Saturday night, when she performed “La Vie En Rose” with an acoustic guitar, after contemplating whether or not she should even go forward with a performance. Even though Paris is still currently in lockdown and no word of when the U2 shows will be rescheduled has come up, Bono is still certain that they will perform.
“Music is very important. I think U2 has a role to play and I can’t wait till we get back to Paris and play and that’s what I’m feeling from the messages we’re receiving from music fans is these people will not set our agenda. They will not organize our lives for us.”
Just one month after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, U2 started playing North American dates, with three nights spent at New York’s Madison Square Garden. During the band’s entire musical career, these shows were some of the most emotional. Bono went on to say that their undying love for music was not going to be broken during that horrific period in American history. That same unbreakable determination they felt at the Madison Square Garden all those years ago is the same feeling they hope to deliver their fans when they come back to perform in Bercy. The band’s tour is heading to their native home of Ireland for a number of shows in the cities of Dublin and Belfast. These shows were going to finish the 2015 stretch of their Innocence + Experience Tour, however given the massacre in Paris, the schedule will most likely be reworked, with the Paris shows taking place after the last performance on November 28 in Dublin.
[Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images]
