Best Into The Heart Of U2 Podcast Podcasts (2025)

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E2 AURORA | Music, War and Peace 37:06

14d ago37:06

37:06

In the second episode of The Bridge: Music, War & Peace, acclaimed music journalist Neil McCormick sits down with Norwegian singer, songwriter, and producer AURORA for a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation at the intersection of music and global impact. From her early discovery that “music was the first thing I stumbled upon that made me underst…

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E1 Bob Geldof | Music, War and Peace 38:32

28d ago38:32

38:32

Sir Bob Geldof — Music as a Force for Change In the debut episode of Music, War & Peace, music journalist, broadcaster, and author Neil McCormick sits down with legendary Irish musician and activist Sir Bob Geldof for a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation about the intersection of music and global impact. From the explosive birth of Live Aid to …

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The Trailer, Music, War & Peace 1:16

1M ago1:16

1:16

🎙️ Music, War & Peace Podcast Hosted by Neil McCormick | Presented by The Bridge What if a song could end a war — or spark a revolution of hope? Welcome to our Music, War & Peace podcast, a powerful conversation series where renowned British music journalist Neil McCormick (The Daily Telegraph, U2 biographer) sits down with iconic artists to explor…

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How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb (Shadow Album) 59:36

4M ago59:36

59:36

For the 20th Anniversary of "How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb," U2 remastered the original record and released a bevy of remixes as well as the entire Verigo Live from Chicago show from 2005, but the big ticket item was something they called "How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb" - a Shadow Album - of 10 songs that didn't make HTDAAB. The reaction to t…

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Episode 726 - "Melodic Cadence Exercise 2"

7M ago

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Direct Download Going the next step, Bing writes a longer, more complex melody using open and closed cadences, demonstrating how to play “keep away” with the key. Download the exercise material from: https://www.patreon.com/posts/115503512 Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consi…

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Episode 725 - Harmonic Cadence Exercise

7M ago

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Direct Download Bing takes the melody from the last episode and harmonizes it using cadences, while also going a step further into song arranging options. Download the exercise resources at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/115095568 Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider suppo…

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Episode 724 - "Melodic Cadence Exercise"

7M ago

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Direct Download Bing demonstrates the use of melodic cadences with the beginnings of a tune on the mountain dulcimer. Download the exercise from this episode for free at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/114658415 Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by…

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Episode 723 - "

8M ago

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Direct Download The finale, and encore, from Bing's set at the Old Jail in Statesville, North Carolina for Piedmont Folkways, presented by the Iredell Arts Council. After ending his set with “Don't Stop Believing”, Bing performs “My Heart Will Go On”, using the guitar synthesizer to add live strings. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments,…

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Episode 722 - "Understanding Cadences"

8M ago

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Direct Download Bing describes and demonstrates four types of musical cadences for tune writing, using melodies and harmonies on the mountain dulcimer. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!…

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Episode 721 - "Going to Winfield Pt. 2"

8M ago

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Direct Download Bing and Abby the Spoon Lady get after some “Old Joe Clark” at the 52nd Walnut Valley Festival after they perform onstage during the fest. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!…

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Years of Surrender (2020-2024) 1:18:16

8M ago1:18:16

1:18:16

In our final episode (at least until a new U2 record surfaces), we cover everything from the beginning of the lockdown to the present: Bono's voiceover in the Sing 2 movie; U2's underwhelming single "Your Song Saved My Life"; Bono & Edge’s surprise appearance in a Ukraine subway station turned bomb shelter; Bono's book and book tour. Songs of Surre…

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Episode 720 - "Going To Winfield Pt. 1"

8M ago

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Direct Download Bing arrives in Winfield, Kansas for the 52nd Walnut Valley Festival and immediately dives into the music, and the lifestyle. Features a premiere performance of “Going To Winfield”, with Kara Barnard and Troy Johnson. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider su…

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Episode 719 - "Beginning Rhythms"

8M ago

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Direct Download An excerpt from the September session of The Ionian Institute, a free monthly online workshop available through Bing Futch's Patreon (which is free to join at www.Patreon.com/BingFutch Basic note durations are covered, along with a special practice cadence for developing your strum. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V…

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Episode 718 - "U2 Can Play U2"

9M ago

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Direct Download Garryowen Irish Pub co- owner Joanne McCready captured this cel phone footage of Bing jamming U2's “With Or Without You” on mountain dulcimer with Gerry Muldoon, a longtime friend of Kevin McCready's from Ireland, on cajon. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consi…

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Episode 717 - "Melody and Chord Exercise"

9M ago

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Direct Download Back home from summer tour, Bing shares a mountain dulcimer exercise that he taught over the summer using melodies and chords. The basic chord shapes in DAD are covered, and “I Think We're Alone Now” makes a cameo. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider suppo…

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The Sphere (Bonus Episode!) 1:27:40

9M ago1:27:40

1:27:40

In this special bonus episode, we take a very deep dive into every aspect of U2 at the Sphere. From the deal James Dolan and MSG made to get U2, the ticket kerfuffle, the technological advancements the Sphere allowed, the sparse stage design, the setlist, the visual message of the show, and what this all means for U2 and, for that matter, the futur…

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Episode 716 - "Hallelujah"

9M ago

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Direct Download Bing's encore from the July 11th show at Bob's Barn Jamborees in Lake Odessa, Michigan. This is “Hallelujah” on mountain dulcimer. Bob Warner, owner of Bob's Barn Jams, also makes an appearance. Check out Bob's YouTube Channel at: youtube.com/BobWarnerBarn Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodwo…

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Songs of Experience (Pt 2) 1:11:44

9M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

In our Part 2 on U2's 14th studio album, "Songs of Experience," we discuss the second half of the record which contains some of the band's finest and most unheralded songs of the latter part of their career; we go over the differences in the Innocence Tour and the Experience Tour; the band's resumption of the Joshua Tree Anniversary Tour which took…

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Episode 715 - "John Henry"

9M ago

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Direct Download Bing's actual opening song from the July 11th show at Bob's Barn Jamborees in Lake Odessa, Michigan. This is “The Ballad of John Henry” on mountain dulcimer. This month's episodes have all been from the livestream recording. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Cons…

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Episode 714 - "Promentory (LIVE!)"

10M ago

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Direct Download Bing's closing number from the July 11th show at Bob's Barn Jamborees in Lake Odessa, Michigan. This is “Promentory” from “The Last of the Mohicans” with mountain dulcimer and looper. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a…

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Episode 713 - "Birds of a Feather (LIVE)"

10M ago

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Direct Download More from the Bob's Barn Jamborees show in Lake Odessa, Michigan, on July 11th. Bing performs his original song, “Birds of a Feather”, on mountain dulcimer. Natch! Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!…

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Episode 712 - "3 Original Blues"

10M ago

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Direct Download On July 11th at Bob's Barn Jamborees in Lake Odessa, Michigan, Bing performs three original blues songs; "The Flip Side", "That's What You Done To Me", and "Red Headed Lover." Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!…

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Songs of Experience (Pt 1) 1:11:46

10M ago1:11:46

1:11:46

After the backlash to the controversial release of Songs of Innocence and its bevy of producers, U2 refocuses for its 14th studio album, Songs of Experience, with a Fall 2016 release date. At least that was the plan. In our part 1, we dive into the making of the record, the delays caused by Bono's brush with mortality and the seismic shift in globa…

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Episode 711 - "West Michigan Trek"

10M ago

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Direct Download Picking up where the last episode left off, Bing continues a grand circle tour of Michigan state, including the Grand Traverse Bay, before winding up in Lake Odessa at Bob's Barn Jamborees for M.O.D.E. Workshops and a concert. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Co…

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Episode 710 - "Travels With Bing"

11M ago

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Direct Download From a house concert in Columbus, Ohio to Mackinac Island, Michigan, this episode takes a look at Bing's adventures on summer tour in the first part of July. Includes a live rendition of “Hallelujah” and “Can't Help Falling In Love”. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimeri…

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Episode 709 - "Mountain Dulcimer Museum Tour"

11M ago

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Direct Download From Sharonville, Ohio, Bing takes us inside the American Folk Music School & National Mountain Dulcimer Museum with director Vickey Sasser. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!…

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Episode 708 - "KMW Through the Lens"

11M ago

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Direct Download Bing offers a brief glimpse into his time at Kentucky Music Week through video and music, including a performance of “ADHD Blues” on mountain dulcimer. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!…

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Episode 707 - "Groovy Cabbage"

11M ago

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Direct Download Back at White Acres Campground, Bing brings some of his teachings from Kentucky Music Week in an episode focused on rhythms and strum-building for songs. A demo of a 3-measure cadence for muscle memory, the palm mute, and turning drums into strums gets applied to “Boil Dem Cabbage Down” Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instrument…

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Songs of Innocence (Pt 2) 1:21:38

12M ago1:21:38

1:21:38

In our Pt 2 on U2's 13th album, Songs of Innocence, we discuss the more compelling 2nd half of the record; Bono's bike accident; the lasting impact of “Apple-Gate” on U2’s legacy & the innovative Barricage, the centerpiece of the i + e tour.

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Episode 706 - "Mountain Dulcimer Quick-Start"

12M ago

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Direct Download Bing takes a no-frills approach to getting started with mountain dulcimer. Here he demonstrates how to 1) figure out tunes you know, 2) make up your own tunes, 3) noodle around, all after a quick tutorial on how to play the drone melody style. A great beginners resource, or for the passing curious. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraf…

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Episode 705 - "The DulciVox Pro"

12M ago

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Direct Download Bing arrives at Folkcraft Instruments in Woodburn, Indiana, and gets a behind-the-scenes look at production of the new DulciVox mountain dulcimers. He also takes his new DulciVox Pro for a test-drive through some fiddle tunes, O'Carolan, and Meatloaf. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking…

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Episode 704 - "New Tune: 'Gebhard'"

12M ago

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Direct Download Arriving at his first tour stop, Bing writes a new tune inspired by the Gebhard Woods Dulcimer & Traditional Music Festival, taking place this weekend at Goold Park in Morris, Illinois (That's June 8th and 9th for you in the present.) Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimer…

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Songs of Innocence (Pt 1) 1:12:50

1y ago1:12:50

1:12:50

U2's 13th studio album, "Songs of Innocence," is an album released a full 5 1/2 years after the commercial and critical disappointment of "No Line on the Horizon" with a list of producers as long as a Beyonce album. To that long gestation period Bono said, "Rumor has it we haven't made a U2 album in the last five years. We have. We've made several.…

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Episode 703 - “One Last Bit of New Jam Book!”

1y ago

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Direct Download One last bit of music from Mountain Dulcimer in the Band (Book 8) featuring a walk-through of “Hard Times” by Stephen Foster and some fancy interlude chords. Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wolf Hill Woodworking. Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!…

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Episode 702 - "Even More New Jam Book!"

1y ago

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Direct Download Another snippet of the May 8th edition of Mountain Dulcimer in the JAM!, a monthly online workshop/jam sprung from the pages of the tune-and-backing-track series, Mountain Dulcimer in the Band. Today's episode features “Wild Mountain Thyme” in the style of Dire Straits! Bing Futch is endorsed by Folkcraft Instruments, V-Picks and Wo…

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No Line on the Horizon (Pt 2) 1:26:59

1y ago1:26:59

1:26:59

In our Part 2 on No Line on the Horizon, we pick things up with the three more pop oriented songs the band wrote after leaving Fez, Morocco. Did the band panic and go chasing a hit? If so, they chose a very unrepresentative first single in Get On Your Boots. Things get a lot more interesting on the final third of the record with some truly fresh ma…

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No Line on the Horizon (Pt 1) 1:14:09

1y ago1:14:09

1:14:09

After two consecutive conventional and commercially successful records in "All That You Can't Leave Behind" and "How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb," the time was right to explore something different and go someplace else to do it. So, U2 heads off to Fez, Morocco with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, not just as producers but as songwriting partners. The…

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How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (Pt 2) 1:36:11

1y ago1:36:11

1:36:11

In this second part of our look at U2's 11th studio album, How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, we go through the second half of the record, get into the marketing partnership with Apple, the ticket fiasco for the Vertigo Tour and the tour itself. We'll also discuss some band business, which has caused the haters to gnash their teeth for the better par…

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How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (Part 1) 1:24:24

1y ago1:24:24

1:24:24

U2 had finished up the wildly successful Elevation Tour with their iconic performance at the Super Bowl and had resoundingly risen to Bono's throw down issued on the eve of the release of All That You Can't Leave Behind; they really had reclaimed the title of biggest band in the world. Bono said, "Wow, if we could bottle this, what mad elixir would…

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All That You Can't Leave Behind (Pt 2) 1:22:30

1+ y ago1:22:30

1:22:30

In Part 2 of our look at the All That You Can't Leave Behind period, we discuss the second half of this front loaded record, and the Elevation Tour where U2 dispenses with all the artifices, arches and lemons, and go back to arenas. And front and center is Bono...THAT Bono with his heart back on his sleeve. After an already heavily emotional first …

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All That You Can't Leave Behind (Pt 1) 1:27:30

1+ y ago1:27:30

1:27:30

We kick off Season 2 with U2's 10th studio album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, a record that begins U2 Phase III after their Mach II reinvention with Achtung Baby. It's also, arguably, the genesis of the sound of all their output going forward. It's a record Rolling Stone called the band's third masterpiece and that went on to become a huge cri…

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Pop (Part 2) 1:22:55

1+ y ago1:22:55

1:22:55

PopMart is remembered for its McDonald’s arch, the giant lemon inside which U2 got trapped in grand Spinal Tap style, the disastrous first gig in Vegas and half empty stadiums in the U.S. U2 would go on to play some of its greatest gigs later in the tour, but its still remembered as U2’s folly. But the backstory of why manager Paul McGuinness pushe…

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Pop (Part 1) 1:33:58

1+ y ago1:33:58

1:33:58

It's time to dive into U2's much beloved, and also much maligned 9th studio album, Pop. It's a polarizing work among fans and critics and God knows the band's spent the last 25 years trying to distance themselves from it. But when you consider what it was intended to be and what they delivered, it is a record that could have been so much more. But …

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Zooropa (Pt 2) 52:28

1+ y ago52:28

52:28

In Pt 2 on Zooropa we continue our song by song examination and then get into the launch of the European leg of Zoo TV which sees the band rediscovering their love of Dada. The wildly successful Zoo TV marches on to its final leg in Australia by which time the band is running on fumes.

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Zooropa - Part 1 52:06

1+ y ago52:06

52:06

U2 came home after the Outside Broadcast Tour completing a wildly successful 1992 that saw the band reinvent themselves on record and as a live act. It was supposed to be a six month break before returning for the European leg the next summer. But Edge was still looking for a diversion from his marriage falling apart and convinces the band to make …

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Achtung Baby - Pt 3 (Zoo TV Tour) 1:11:40

1+ y ago1:11:40

1:11:40

In our third part on the Achtung Baby period we dive into Zoo TV from the conception of the tour to the financial constraints, to the moral conundrums surrounding corporate sponsorship at the time. We explore how disorienting it was for old fans to process the new U2 and the transitional challenges the band faced bringing the tour from arenas to st…

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Achtung Baby (Part 2) 1:44:35

1+ y ago1:44:35

1:44:35

After the contentious early sessions in Berlin, everything finally crystalizes and U2 deliver its crowning creative achievement, the unprecedented deconstruction of everything that got them to the top of the charts in the 80s: "Achtung Baby." In Pt 2 of 3 comprehensive parts on the Achtung Baby and Zoo TV period, we go song by song of the 12 songs …

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Achtung Baby (Part 1) 37:43

1+ y ago37:43

37:43

We're going in for a really deep dive on Achtung Baby. In the first of three parts, we pick things up with Bono's "gotta go away and dream it all up again" speech at the end of the Love Town Tour when things had started to get a little show-bizzy. We ask some pointed questions about what exactly happened between the end of the Lovetown Tour and whe…

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Rattle and Hum (Part 2) 49:06

1+ y ago49:06

49:06

In this second part of our look at the Rattle and Hum era, we talk about the brutal criticism that came U2's way, in particular, toward Bono. The band had bad reviews before, but it was never this personal. We discuss how it got here and what led to where the band was headed moving forward. But first, they hit the road for what should have been a v…

1
Rattle and Hum (Part 1) 1:03:30

1+ y ago1:03:30

1:03:30

In the first of our two parts on the Rattle and Hum album and the film, we dive into why this period is so poorly remembered. We question what the hell the band was thinking but, more importantly, where was Paul McGuinness when a little leadership was desperately needed when it was obvious his clients were getting over its skis? We also take a look…

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