U2 guitarist The Edge talks about the Paris concert broadcast on HBO, security concerns, and the new album
by Melinda Newman, Billboard
On Dec. 7, U2 took the stage at Paris' Accorhotels Arena to make good for the second of its two shows originally postponed in the wake of the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in the city that left 130 dead, including 89 at the Bataclan concert venue where Eagles of Death Metal were playing.
The concert, U2: Innocence + Experience Live in Paris, captured live for HBO by director Hamish Hamilton, was a breathing testament to the healing power of music, not only for the audience, but for U2 as well. "It sort of felt like it was part of a process of reclaiming live rock and roll in the city of Paris," says U2 guitarist The Edge in an exclusive interview. "We were by no means the first event post the Paris attacks, but for us it was very symbolic and very significant. We tried to get back as quickly as we could."
U2 invited the Eagles of Death Metal to join them on stage, marking the first time the California band had played since the attacks. "They were robbed of their stage, so we would like to offer them ours," U2 frontman Bono told the audience.
Calling from the studio where U2 is working on the follow-up to 2014's Songs of Innocence, The Edge talked to Billboard about that Paris night, increasing security following recent events such as the Christina Grimmie murder and the Orlando club massacre, as well as the new album and a possible new tour.