I know I haven't written one of these since 2014, and I'm not sure if anyone is even still reading this community, but this is something I feel the need to write...

California (There Is No End To Love)

I am so tired of seeing how underrated this song is. Songs Of Innocence is a terrific album and this is one of my very favourite tracks on it - certainly the standout song on the first half for me - but it somehow came LAST in U2.com's Side 1 poll soon after the album was released. I've seen a number of fans speak very dismissively about it, as if its crappy worthlessness is self-evident. And even when people *do* love the song, they tend to say things like "It's straight-up light-hearted fun!" and "It really captures the feel of California!", which doesn't do it justice at all. There's so much more to appreciate here.

While it's set against the backdrop of the band's first trip to Los Angeles, this is a song about life after loss. Bono explained it briefly in a 2014 radio interview that I've never been able to find again since (probably one of these that's no longer available). He said they were all really excited about their adventure, but someone in their party - he didn't specify who - had recently suffered a bereavement and it was totally dragging the mood down for everyone. The result is this amazing juxtaposition of grief and joy that I can't recall hearing in any other song.

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Anyone going to the Joshua Tree shows this year? It's great that they are finally visiting some countries they haven't been to in ages, or ever!

Seen this asked in a few different places - which was your favourite tour out of Innocence + Experience, The Joshua Tree 2017, and Experience + Innocence?

I find it impossible to answer because I liked different things about each one - IE had the most impressive production and narrative, JT was the most enjoyable experience, and EI had MacPhisto!

Just over a fortnight until the European leg of the EI Tour... anyone here going to a show?

I just stumbled across this slideshow and found it quite amusing:

50 Photos of Bono Being Bono-y!

So.... has anyone tried to buy tickets for the North American shows? How did it go?

U2 are nominated for 'Best Live' and 'Best Rock' at the MTV EMAs. You can vote here - no sign-up required, and there doesn't seem to be any limit as to how many times you can vote?

The proper video for 'You're The Best Thing About Me' is here, and features U2 being goofy in NYC. The editing style is a bit too frantic for my taste, but it's kinda cute. :)

Performing the new single and a topical version of Bullet The Blue Sky:

So, the new single is here. Which song do you prefer, The Blackout or You're The Best Thing About Me?

New U2 song 'The Blackout' now available to watch here!

For those who have listened to the new song from SOE (as performed on Jimmy Kimmel and elsewhere) - what do you think of it?

Hey guys, I'm selling a seated ticket for the first London show (Saturday 8th July), located in section L21. It's £114.05 including Ticketmaster fees, plus the cost of posting it on.

NOTE: Ticketmaster probably won't send me the ticket until very late, around the start of July. I would therefore prefer a buyer with a UK address and not someone who will be travelling in the week before the show. Special Delivery within the UK is £6.45, so I expect the total cost to be £120.50.

Send me a PM if you're interested!

EDIT: Ticket has now been sold!

Just in case anyone has missed it:

-- U2 are playing a Joshua Tree anniversary tour in stadiums this summer. Among other things, The Joshua Tree album will be played in full!

-- Fan club presale for long-time subscribers is THIS WEDNESDAY at 9am. Presale for newer subscribers follows on Thursday. The presales end at 5pm on Friday.

-- Public sale is on MONDAY 16th at 9am.

-- There is a 4 ticket limit for the presales and a 6 ticket limit for the public sales.

Thoughts? Are you excited? Disappointed that it's not the SOE tour? Will you be going to see it?

Edge finally gets revenge for "A Day In The Life..."?

So, MacPhisto is singing Christmas songs with The Killers on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight.

Not even kidding...!!

Hello! I got one tattooed on my leg. My first tattoo. I love it so much:
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Anyone still out there?

If you haven't seen it already, @U2 recently published an interview with Ivan McCormick (brother of Neil), who attended the original rehearsal in Larry's kitchen 40 years ago. I am really tickled by the scan of Ivan's diary from the month in question, where he just wrote "Watched TV. Joined a pop group with friends. Had a rehearsal, great" - so funny how he could have had no idea what a significant moment in history it would turn out to be! Just a passing reference amongst the mundane and juvenile activities of a typical schoolkid. :)

Heart goes out to Larry. It's never easy...

This pic is the header of a Boston.com article on the dangers of treadmills.