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"I want my work to be both trashy and precious at the same time." -- Bono |
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"I want my work to be both trashy and precious at the same time." -- Bono |
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North American Media Comment on U2's Super Bowl Performance
Various media sources,
February 07, 2002
[Ed. note: what follows is a collection of comments published in the past 4 days in various North American media outlets; it's not meant to be a complete list, and we have not intentionally left out any specific source. It is meant to be a representative sampling of media commentary on U2's halftime performance at the Super Bowl. Copyrights are held in each case by the source listed.]
"But U2 was the biggest disappointment, grooving through the single 'Beautiful Day' (which it has already played on several national broadcasts, including the Grammys), then melodramatically unfurling a scroll with the names of the victims of Sept. 11 as is plodded through a leaden reading of 'Where the Streets Have No Name'." "A truly great rock band would have taken this moment of unprecendented exposure to offer a thoughtful comment on recent events. But the usually verbose Bono didn't even bother with his tradional plea for world peace, choosing to simply flash the stars-and-stripes lining of his Super Bowl jacket instead. U2 never seemed more like a band camouflaging salesmanes / as sincerity, and craveness for deep concern."
"At halftime, the Irish supergroup U2 took over (earlier this week, their lead singer, Bono, had dropped in at the World Economic Forum in New York to push his pet cause, forgiving Third World debt). They played a hit off their most recent album, and then reprised a segment that was added to their shows on a just-completed world tour, in the wake of the September attacks. "While performing the song 'Where the Streets Have No Name,' the names of those killed in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania scrolled behind the band on a screen that eventually climbed to the roof of the stadium. "At the song's climax, the screen collapsed into itself, and on his way off the stage Bono flashed the stars-and-stripes lining of his leather jacket. "Just as U2 used simple names to make their point, the designers of the pageant hung their hats on words, a risky proposition indeed. The words of the Declaration of Independence, as read by a mixed bag of old football players and coaches, including a couple of football players-turned politicians. The words of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, as read by former presidents Ford, Carter, Bush and Clinton, as well as Nancy Reagan."
"The pregame and halftime shows were awash in patriotism and remembrance. "The emotional peak came at halftime, when rock band U2 sang its haunting hit, 'Where the Streets Have No Name,' while the names of the victims of the terrorist attacks were displayed."
"As for the halftime show, at first it was just a wall of noise starring the rock group U2 and hundreds of screaming and gyrating fans. But U2's second song, 'Where the Streets Have No Name,' was staged as a memorial to victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Hundreds of their names appeared on a giant transparent screen raised behind the circular stage -- names of those who died aboard one of the doomed planes or in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Bono, the group's lead singer, ran laps around the screen as part of his performance. "To some, it may have seemed rather a garish memorial, but in a strangely affecting way, it worked, and respectfully. E-Trade, which sponsored the halftime show, kept its round logo in the bottom left corner of the screen during most of it but not while the scroll of names rolled upward."
"Most emblematic, there was Bono, fresh from the World Economic Forum, where on Saturday he had a formal debate with Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and lobbied for the cancellation of third-world debt. Yesterday, he led U2 in a live performance during the halftime show, a one-man walking, talking, singing symbol of how politics and entertainment mixed here. "Recreating a scene from the group's recent tour, he sang one of U2's most familiar hits, 'Where the Streets Have No Name,' as the names of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks scrolled on a screen behind him. For a finale, he opened his black leather jacket to reveal its stars-and-stripes lining."
"Mariah? Whatever. The real deal was an inspired bit of rock from U2 as the halftime entertainment. Here's a quick pop quiz: Has the halftime show ever been good? Ever? Pencils down. Correct answer: Not in our lifetime. And yet, U2's live breath of fresh air and dramatic, emotional spectacle that paid homage to the victims of Sept. 11 was both daringly bombastic and also pretty damn cool."
Peter King - CNN/SI "U2's two songs -- I wish it had been nine -- were perfect for the occasion. 'Beautiful Day' was more baleful than what I heard on tour, and 'Where the Streets Have No Name' sounded better because it was less noisy than a usual concert, I think because of the backdrop of all the names of the people who died in the Sept. 11 tragedy. I praise you, NFL, selfishly, for giving me 11 terrific minutes at halftime of a great event."
"During last night's halftime show, the mini-concert by U2 managed to strike the right mood of patriotism, pride and solemnity in this first Super Bowl since the Sept. 11 tragedy. "As Bono began to sing the group's second number, a scrim was hoisted from the stage floor to the top of the stadium. It projected to the entire stadium audience, and to viewers around the world, the names of the thousands of victims -- passengers, pilots, firefighters, police and other rescue personnel and civilians. At the end of the song, the Irish rocker Bono pulled open his coat to reveal its colorful lining: an American flag. "It was theater, yes -- but on a grand scale. Given the occasion, it was grand indeed."
"Before we talk about the advertising, let's get a couple of things out of the way. First and foremost, we're thankful that the game itself was actually better than the ads. Also, who didn't get a lump in their throat during the halftime show when the banner containing names of the Sept. 11 victims collapsed down behind U2, and lead singer Bono displayed the American flag lining in his jacket?"
Dan Shaughnessy - Boston Globe "U2's Super Bowl halftime performance -- with names of the deceased from 9/11 scrolling while they played 'Where the Streets Have No Name' -- was the greatest halftime show in the history of sporting events. Hands down."
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