Credit: Moritz Hager
U2 were the first band to play the Sphere in Las Vegas, arguably the most serendipitous gig ever, thrusting the band to the forefront of the future. However, venue and band alike mirror one another in popularity; as impressive figures that are undoubtedly iconic, they’re nevertheless hated by many and considered an eyesore.
In their multi-decade run as one of the most famous bands on the planet, U2 have released a barrage of hits, won many awards and experimented with various sounds and genres. In the process, they have established and maintained a solid fanbase throughout all of this, but that hasn’t come without controversy, as many music lovers cannot stand them.
They’re a cool band to dislike, similar to Coldplay; when an artist says they hate U2, it’s met with mild sniggering and applause instead of public outcry. As such, musicians are not worried about expressing hatred towards them. As a result, they’ve often become the piñatas of modern music.
That openness has helped shape U2’s reputation in a way that goes beyond the music itself. Over time, criticism of the band has become part of their cultural identity, with opinions often tied as much to their public image as their records. Whether it is Bono’s outspoken persona or the band’s constant reinvention, their visibility has made them an easy target.
At the same time, that level of scrutiny tends to follow acts that reach a certain scale. The bigger the platform, the stronger the reactions, both positive and negative. In U2’s case, their willingness to operate at that level has ensured they remain impossible to ignore, even when the conversation turns against them.
This was amplified even further thanks to an infamous album release that automatically downloaded to everyone’s phones. If they weren’t already polarising enough, this made them the pinnacle of music’s most loved/hated acts. Alas, a healthy variety of people dislike the band for different reasons, but here are five of the most iconic.
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