NYT "The Interview": Bono & Edge

[u/U2rules]

https://youtu.be/Wu920WiZyjo?is=1hZW8JBHUxoj4U2x

[u/achtungjamie]

Listening is fun. Fuck the AI summary.

[u/U2rules → u/achtungjamie]

"Fuck the AI revolution" 😜

[u/mancapturescolour → u/achtungjamie]

Edit 2: AI-assisted summary removed, the consensus of comments and votes suggest the feature was not adding anything useful to the experience.

Thanks all!

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Original comment below

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Appreciate the feedback. I agree with you, I enjoy listening.

To be clear up front, I didn't just copy/paste it, I wanted to make sure it's making sense and easy to follow. For example the original output got the album name wrong (Carnaval De Luxe 🤣) so I corrected that.

Thought it could help people get an idea of what they're talking about. Sometimes, after this long, the band tends to repeat talking points. Maybe someone just want to skip to the part they're interested in.

I am also mindful that we all have different ways of attaining information: reading, listening, watching etc.

Just trying something different, but I will listen to any and all feedback.

Edited to add: I don't typically use AI for my comments or submissions, I don't need to. If and when I do, I will always be transparent about it, like here, so people don't have to guess or make false assumptions.

[u/U2rules → u/mancapturescolour]

Just to be clear, I was just referencing my favorite Rattle & Hum speech 😂

[u/mancapturescolour → u/U2rules]

Naturally! No worries at all.

https://giphy.com/gifs/60FwidZG6R7Mc

[u/matsacki → u/U2rules]

You didn’t talk about the glory of killing for the AI revolution

[u/ZoopTom → u/achtungjamie]

I never understand this kind of crying LOL

People talk like it was a video of Bono eating Spaguetti hahahaha

[u/IneffableOpinion]

Love the opening quote by Edge because it’s kind of true. Lots of us atheist fans do show up for U2 church 😁

[u/friend-of-potatoes → u/IneffableOpinion]

It’s true. That’s me.

[u/U2rules → u/IneffableOpinion]

exactly!
I went on three 1000 miles pilgrimages to find THE Joshua Tree (and finally found it 1 month before it sadly died) and go to (and donate to 🤑) U2 church as much as I can!

[u/curlycake → u/IneffableOpinion]

it’s as religious as I need to get

[u/U2rules]

Gifted article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/17/magazine/bono-and-the-edge-interview.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JVE.Fuab.-0YpD2V4gPoD&smid=nytcore-ios-share

[u/FineWhateverOKOK → u/U2rules]

I read 1/4 of the article before putting on the podcast - the interview is also on the Daily and the Interview podcasts - and the NYT editors were heavy handed. I understand why they condensed the conversation, but in this case listening/watching is much better than reading. 

[u/petrowski7]

Broke: Defiant Jazz
Bespoke: Defiant Joy

[u/FrancescoFp → u/petrowski7]

Severance referance

[u/Unique-Risk-9180]

I could listen to these two men all day long.

[u/Outrageous-War5079]

Full disclosure: I think things started to go wrong with All That You Can't Leave Behind. I know that's not a sentiment everyone in this sub shares. But Bono makes an argument here for pop music relevance. The biggest reason why I think U2 has struggled with quality, especially in the last 10-15 years, is precisely *because* they won't let go of the need to chase success on the pop charts. The need to stay relevant, whatever that may mean. How different would the last 3-4 albums have been if they'd simply said to themselves, "Look, we're set financially, so album sales don't matter. Success on the pop charts doesn't matter. Chasing those things is a young artist's game. Our most enduring work has come when we embrace experimentation. Let's commit to innovating our sound and pushing our boundaries forward. Let's commit to the left-of-the-dial swerve. Let's just make music that *we like* and everyone else's reception of it be damned. Who cares if we never have a hit single again"?

I suspect there have been whole fields of strange and compelling music they've left unexplored because they have focus-grouped their output to death in the vain hope of regaining or maintaining relevance. I just can't understand the impulse to repeatedly plagiarize their formula from the 80s. To my ear, the returns on that approach have been steadily diminishing.

[u/modifiedwings → u/Outrageous-War5079]

Yea I agree. One thing that stood out in the interview (which I really enjoyed listening to) is that theres a clear explanation for why they have gone creatively stagnant at times over the last 2 decades - its that relentless need Bono cant shake to chase the pop charts. I admire that he wants to infiltrate the mainstream with something other than bubblegum pop, but I am not sure if he realizes that the world doesnt really work like that anymore. The days of the radio mainstream being blasted out by a Nirvana or some other explosive artist are gone. Everything is fragmented now and the culture doesnt flow on one bandwidth anymore. Its all over the place.

I think their affinity for all labels for music (pop music, rock n roll, punk rock) dont serve them well. Just make music. One of the things I love about The Greatest Show on Earth is that it doesnt neatly fit into a genre. Its not punk, its not "rock n roll", its not pop. Its just a good song with its own sound. I think they would serve themselves so much better if they let go of the "rock n roll" rope that they hold on to so tightly.

[u/Character-Tap-565 → u/Outrageous-War5079]

Yep, 100%

[u/barrenillusion → u/Outrageous-War5079]

100% accurate comment. was so disappointing to hear him say that he feels jealous when they're left out of the charts. that too this late in their career. despite having known all along since POP 'failed' and they went on to do ATYCLB, HTDAAB. talking about being the biggest band in the world. also implying to a certain extent that overwhelming approval in the public court of opinion means a song is 'great'. i've long lamented that there wasn't more of withered, contemplative U2 a la 'white as snow', 'cedars of lebanon', giving us a perspective of the world and how they see it differently or feel differently about it this late into their career.

[u/aw_shux → u/Outrageous-War5079]

I think Bono answered that question in this interview pretty clearly. It may not make sense to us, but chart success still matters a lot to him.

[u/Outrageous-War5079 → u/aw_shux]

Yes, and my point is that chasing the pop charts has led them into a maze of creative cul de sacs the last 10-15 years. I wish he could give that up.

[u/aw_shux → u/Outrageous-War5079]

I get your point, but you’re not in U2, and Bono is. I just don’t understand questioning ANY artist’s motivations or choices. Bono has made his very clear after 50 years. Consume the art you like, and move on if it’s no longer enjoyable for you. Saying things went “wrong” is a you problem, not a U2 problem.

[u/barrenillusion → u/aw_shux]

what you say makes no sense. of course, as consumers of music and fans of a band we are allowed to criticize something that we don't like. by your logic we shouldn't criticise/question anything unless WE are part of it? i'd argue WE are part of the U2 ecosystem.

also it's not like this comment is being posted as a reply to everyone who's enjoying the band right now and being disrespectful. if anything, should you see a comment as such i suggest you scroll past and look at the the ones that are only positive.

[u/aw_shux → u/barrenillusion]

Haha, I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just disagreeing with you. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I just assume that at the moment of completion of all of their albums, they must’ve been satisfied and proud of the result. Who am I to second-guess that? I’d never presume to say an artist should’ve done something different than they did, even if I didn’t like it. Edge said in this interview that they have a ton of music always available. I’m here for all of it.

[u/Bads316]

It’s the usual ‘blarney and bullshit’ as Mick Jagger once said, from Bono (which I personally always enjoy, even when it takes him twenty minutes to not answer the question), but Edge, seems really open here, talking from his own perspective rather than the band’s perspective for once, great stuff.

[u/Fantastic-Habit-8569]

I love this kind of interview which is not shaped with stupid questions to fill 10min

The way Bono feels unconfortable with his faith being putting against himself just show how his faith is real and deep and make me love him more.

But is kind of funny how he can't hide the angryness when somebody make jokes about him and Edge helping HAHAHHAHA

[u/TimeOutOfMind_]

“Catastrophizing is the glamorizing of the world’s pain

If you don’t want to make a devil bigger

Stop repeating his name”

Bono is on his A game!

[u/matt_may]

I’m a jaded old fan skeptical of Bono’s BS and I found it moving. When Bono could voice love for the enemies tearing down his activism, it’s shocking and inspiring.

[u/thetango]

Bono imitating Mr. Burns was not something I was expecting. :D

[u/ZoopTom]

Great interview I have to say, long time I don't see them being pined like this in a good way. Claps to the interview and for themselfes

[u/Sweaty-Analysis-7091]

I appreciated the Edge so much during this interview.

[u/Fantastic-Habit-8569]

And for those who are fine with the prizes of GA, here it is, coming from Bono's mouth:
https://youtu.be/Wu920WiZyjo?list=TLPQMTcxMDIwMjZHIhaR4-m6aA&t=3528

[u/EconomyHuman6167]

I understand the interviewing technique… it’s just this guy was a bit more of wanker.

[u/testtube-accident]

He started making illuminati hand signs around Achtung, shame really.

[u/Choice_Tank_1170]

The most boring, predictable, and safe questions ever. I want an interview by Rick Beato or someone who’s more passionate about music.

[u/ZoopTom → u/Choice_Tank_1170]

I agree with you about Beato, but in a sea of "Who's the most handsome of the band" and "Who put the note in the school, Larry its your fault?" questions for the 1324823472x , I can't complain about this one.

[u/Choice_Tank_1170 → u/ZoopTom]

Fair comment!

[u/yurieu22]

I'm sick of these interviews where the interviewers express their feelings all the time. It's time consuming, uninteresting, and do not open way for what really matters, discography, personal history, facts, fun facts.

[u/Bayne7096 → u/yurieu22]

I disagree i thought he found a great balance

[u/Unique-Risk-9180 → u/yurieu22]

Bono and The Edge seemed to enjoy it.

[u/FineWhateverOKOK → u/yurieu22]

The best interviews are conversations and conversations involve the expression of feelings. This method actually does open the way for what really matters. It’s what all the best interviewers do. 

[u/ZoopTom → u/yurieu22]

For almost 10 years the only interviews I saw was people asking them  "Who's the most handsome of the band" and "Who put the note in the school, Larry its your fault?" questions for the 1324823472x and I didn't remember no one complaining about this, now for the first time in years somebody ask something diferent and I have to read this in here LOOOOOL

[u/THE_Celts → u/ZoopTom]

Rogan’s conversation with Bono was more substantive than this, and was a year ago I think.

[u/curlycake → u/yurieu22]

I agree in general but I don’t think this guy did that.