'A direct hit on music': U2 frontman Bono says they were supposed to perform in Paris day after terrorist attacks
U2 frontman and lead singer Bono is looking forward to helping Parisians heal from the trauma caused by the coordinated terrorist attacks last Friday, describing what happened as terrorism's "first direct hit on music."
"If you think about it, the majority of victims last night are music fans. This is the first direct hit on music that we've had in this so-called war on terror or whatever it's called," he told Irish DJ Dave Fanning during an interview on Saturday.
"It's very upsetting. These are our people. This could be me at a show. You at a show, in that venue. It's a very recognisable situation for you and for me and the cold-blooded aspect of this slaughter is deeply disturbing and that's what I can't get out of my head."
Because of the terrorist attacks, U2's scheduled show in Paris the day after the attacks was postponed. "We didn't call it off," Bono clarified. "It was cancelled, honest, and I understand perfectly why... It's up to the French authorities and the city to decide when we can go back."
Even though the city is still facing a lockdown because of what happened, Bono and the rest of his band are eager to play in Paris to help the city heal from the trauma caused by the carnage.
"Music is very important," he said. "I think U2 has a role to play and I can't wait till we get back to Paris and play, and that's what I'm feeling from the messages we're receiving from music fans is these people will not set our agenda. They will not organise our lives for us."
Bono recalled the same situation that happened in America because of the September 11 attacks. Back then, U2 was on their 2001 Elevation Tour and they played in North America one month after the attacks. The singer said it was one of the most emotional shows they've ever done in their entire career.
"The feeling of Madison Square Garden was just unbelievable and the feeling was just this is who we are, you can't change it," Bono said. "You're not going to turn us into haters or you're not going to turn us around in the way we go about our lives. That was the feeling of Madison Square Garden back then and I hope that will be the feeling at Bercy when we get back there."
