Column: off the record...,vol. 9-399
@U2,
February 28, 2010
By: Tassoula E. Kokkoris
I was elated when reputable sources hinted last week that Lenny Kravitz would be opening for U2 in some cities this spring. Fingers crossed, I hoped the information was credible. Turns out that the rumors were true: he'll be joining the band for four dates on the tour, but to my disappointment, at none of the shows I'm attending. The other two acts announced (The Fray and Interpol) are good bands, but neither measure up to the caliber of Kravitz rock as far as I'm concerned. Perhaps I'll change my travel plans so I can see him, but I'll wait until the acts for the remaining shows are announced just in case there's an even more attractive option available (though it's doubtful).
Is it just my imagination, or have U2 producers been generating a lot of news of their own in the past few weeks?
First, word spread on Twitter that Daniel Lanois is now in a band called Black Dub and that their show at the Bowery Ballroom in New York would be broadcast free of charge on Ustream. So, on Feb. 17, 676 of us fans tuned in and were pleasantly surprised by the wonderful sounds of the group, and the high quality presentation of the somewhat organic video feed. With U2 also airing a concert on YouTube last year, it seems we're entering an age that invites us to be a part of events where we're not physically present, and I find that very exciting.
Also appearing on a computer screen last week was Steve Lillywhite, who desperately wants to take the place of Simon Cowell on American Idol when he leaves the show next year. You can view his "audition" here in Matt’s blog entry. A week later, he hired a PR firm to help with the campaign. U2 fans seem to be airing two opinions on the matter: some folks think it would be a hoot to watch him each week on the popular program; others think he would be devaluing himself to participate in such a spectacle. Need I remind everyone that Bono once appeared on the show?
And on Friday, Brian Eno confirmed that he's going to produce Coldplay's yet-to-be-titled fifth studio album. I'm looking forward to reports on the progress of this record, since just over a year ago Eno was kicking front-man Chris Martin out of the studio so the rest of the band could get some work done.
Recently I was lucky enough to attend a media conference at the headquarters of a corporation known for their brilliance in marketing: Coca-Cola. I was struck by how humble and down-to-earth their executives were when discussing the company's past mistakes, and found it refreshing to hear that their general philosophy is that their customers "own the brand." My mind only dreams of how different things would be for fans if U2 adopted that same way of thinking.
For a band made up of such wonderful people, I still can't help but think there's a significant disconnect when it comes to the relationship with their consumers. Of course at the top of the list of concerns would be the management of their fan club memberships and online store, which is handled by Fanfire. Since the company took over operations a few years back, the process for fan club tickets, ordering merchandise and renewing (or starting) memberships has been a comedy of errors. Visit fan forums dedicated to the band on any given day and there will be grievances aired about the lack of customer service provided by the Fanfire team.
For example, it was announced in December that the gift for renewing an existing U2.com membership would be a new CD of remixes cleverly titled Artificial Horizon. Some cheered at the prospect; others felt a mix CD was a cop-out for providing something more original, but it's probably safe to say all of the members were curious about it. And then those members waited ... and waited. No CDs were arriving in the mail. Message boards lit up with inquiries about why folks hadn't received their gifts. On Jan. 19, U2.com sent its members an e-mail claiming that the CDs would be pressed in late January and "mailed to subscribers within a few weeks." Then, it was February and there were still no CDs. Our own Sherry Lawrence called Fanfire and they told her that the CDs had just arrived in their distribution center (last week). Finally, U2.com announced Friday that the CDs are on their way (but it may take up to three more weeks depending on where you live).
I sure do miss the days of Propaganda.
Last but not least, I want to extend a warm congratulations to Miss Sarajevo's Bill Carter and his lovely wife on the arrival of their second daughter, born Wednesday. Best wishes to the whole family.
© @U2/Kokkoris, 2010.
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