U2, the iconic Irish rock band, first formed in 1976, is known for its eclectic sound, fervent lyrics, and dedication to various political causes. The group, led by Bono, has attained worldwide fame with hit albums such as How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and Under A Blood Red Sky. The popular band, which cites the Ramones, T. Rex, and David Bowie as inspirations, has also influenced artists such as The Killers and Muse. However, according to the band’s frontman, Bono, there is one famous rock band which the rocker feels isn’t rock at all.
Why Bono Publicly Insisted Coldplay Isn’t a Real Rock Band
There are few people in the music industry who are as highly respected and revered for their artistry, both in singing and songwriting, as U2’s long-time lead singer, Bono. The now 65-year-old rocker, who recently joined fellow Irish singer Imelda May for a charity benefit concert in December of last year, has many accomplishments under his belt, including but not limited to 22 Grammy Awards, many number one singles and albums, and several dozen sold-out world tours. In fact, U2 has remained, over their almost 50 years together, one of the best-selling music artists of all time. And during their highly successful tenure as a group, they’ve seen many other rock bands come and go and rise and fall.
Unarguably one of the biggest groups that remain is Coldplay, who are responsible for producing a plethora of classic hits such as “Yellow,” “Clocks,” and “Fix You”, to name a few. The group, like U2, hails from the UK and first made it big in 2000 with the release of their critically and commercially acclaimed debut studio album, Parachutes. Like U2, Coldplay has had a fantastic and truly stellar career, amassing 7 Grammys and selling out packed stadiums around the world. However, though Coldplay also has a legion of devoted fans and followers of their work, their sound has consistently evolved over the years, making it hard for many critics to pin it to a single genre. As Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, once described the group’s sound during a 2021 interview with USA Today in which he discussed Coldplay’s ninth studio album titled Music of the Spheres and their collaboration with K-pop mega group BTS, “We’ve just abandoned any form of rules, and if something feels cool, we’ll do it. We wanted a colorful, vibrant feel to the album.”
Coldplay’s sentiment towards their own music is also shared by Bono, but the latter added during a BBC Sound interview titled Music Uncovered: The Genius Of Coldplay, that he didn’t think Coldplay was a rock band. “I should mention Coldplay is not a rock band. I hope that’s obvious. There is something much more interesting going on there, like the Isley Brothers or something. They should not be judged by rock rules… Rage is the river running under most rock formations. Coldplay’s music has a different source, and I think it’s best revealed in this song, ‘Clocks’.”
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U2 Are Back in the Studio Preparing for New Album
U2Image via PBG/PA Images/INSTARimages.com
U2 fans are rejoicing after the band recently revealed that they are back in the studio working on new music. The band, which consists of members Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr, and Adam Clayton, had previously been on an extended break as Mullen recovered from neck surgery. As fans will know, last year, U2 performed at their Las Vegas residency without Mullen. The latter said in a recent interview with the BBC, “It was difficult being away because of injury. 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. It’s just the most extraordinary thing,” he added. “When I was away from the band, I missed it, but I didn’t realize how much I missed it.”
As for the preparations for the upcoming album, Bono revealed that “It was just the four of us in a room, trying a new song and going, ‘What’s that feeling? Oh right, that’s chemistry.” A few years ago, Bono revealed that their next album would be “a noisy, uncompromising, unreasonable guitar album,” citing AC/DC as an influence. The Edge added, “The fellas are all on about this guitar album we’re making, and I’m at home, going, ‘Okay, I’d better get on with it.'”