1. Every month we put a U2 fan in the spotlight. The fan of the month for June 2018 is user tchezao. Read along for the interview we had with this U2 fan.

    "My mother was the one who allowed me to expend our hard earned money in DVDs, she is not much instructed but know all U2 songs. Whenever they come in Brazil, I drag her to their concert no matter what."

    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    I am a 27 year physician who works on full-time emergency rooms in 2 cities. It’s a tough job but I can deal with it. I pursued the dream about being a doctor for thirteen years, and of course I cannot dissociate U2 from every single memory I have about that time, like listening to Breathe before leaving for a important test, or “Love is blindness” whilst sad, or When I look at the World in love with a girl.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    I became a U2 fan in 2006, when they broadcasted their Vertigo Tour on TV. I wasn’t much into music as I was into video gaming, but their music was so poetic and pleasant to hear, along with a great arranged onstage performance (just like Beyonce?). But it was late night, and tired, so I went to sleep. Something happened, though: I couldn’t get to sleep anymore. I went back to the living room where my family was still watching the show and then I stood there until the rise of the credits. I became a U2 fan. Soon I went after other U2 video releases and ended up with a copy of Slane Castle: no more doubts, addicted.

    What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
    My collection quite simple, I live in Brazil, where decent products are hard to get. I don’t have War, October, and All That You Can’t Leave Behind, the studio versions doesn’t sound good to me.. I have some imported singles and special editions, plus some bought by a friend while in US. I even owned the Armani 9285, but since everyone laughed at me with them, i had to sell it. Maybe I’ll try to buy some glasses at some point.

    Does anyone in your family or one of your friends like U2? If so, did they introduce you to U2, or did you "convert" them?
    People come and go into our lives, hence the only person who deserves that mention is my mother. She was the one who allowed me to expend our hard earned money in DVDs, she is not much instructed but know all U2 songs. Whenever they come in Brazil, I drag her to their concert no matter what, even emptying our pockets.

    What do you think of Songs of Experience and what is your favourite song?
    The answer is quite simple, Songs of Experience showed the world despite being “old”, nothing will stop U2 to make songs as good as their early days, and better. Their creativity on this album is incredible and unexpected. When I hear Little things, Landlady, Best Thing and The Showman, It's like an explosion of creativity and state-of-the-art sound. In another hand, I can’t listen to American Soul, just like Volcano, they make my ears bleed.

    You have seen U2 live in Sao Paulo in 2011 and in 2017. Can you describe those experience for us?
    A U2 concert is like a dream actually taking place in real life. Running into the claw, seeing that giant stage, but in particular, attending the second concert in 2011 was special. It was raining but as soon U2 entered on stage, the clouds immediately gone. The most awesome thing happened: they played Out of Control for the first time in ages. I was really marked by that song since I was a teenager listening to the Slane Castle DVD over and over again. It was life’s gift.
    The JT30 was something beyond real too. I felt the band really close to us, much more than the 360 tour. The concert was somehow quick, scripted but relaxed, straight performance. The 4k@60 screen was something unbelievable, the band looked like 3D elements coming out of the screen. There is two particular songs I really needed to listen- and sing my heart out- for real, and I finally made it: Bad and One Tree Hill.

    What is your favourite U2 tour and why?
    My favourite tour was Vertigo Tour. U2 never nailed the setlist after the Vertigo Tour. Remember the horrendous Breathe being cut from the DVD? And It featured all their best songs, and my favourite song, Kite, amazingly played with an extended solo and a real kite. Let’s not to forget Bono’s awesome visuals and Larry’s long hair, lol. I just don’t like Innocence tour, maybe it’s because it’s more a US/Euro oriented experience?

    What is it like being a U2 fan in Brazil, are there many U2 fans in Brazil?
    U2 is beloved around here, for all over the country. They come from everywhere to their concert, and put a lot of effort in online queues, unfair taxes and price tags, not to mention the bestial social inclusive ticket policies. But I wish I could attend a U2 concert overseas, inside a more calm, serious crowd like EU and US.

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    U2 and my life are intimately connected. Memories, thoughts, behavior and nature are intrinsically connected to U2 and their poetical, sentimental and their pursue for perfection. I do listen to Cranberries, Laura Pausini, Scorpions, Sabbath, Dire Straits, Evanescence and Elvis. I actually believe Elvis is the greatest singer ever born in human history, and Beyonce the best lady singer from all time.



    Thanks for this interview tchezao!

    Note: Our crew members choose the fan of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. Thank you Remy for this great oportunity and for the greatest fan site from all time -past, present and future.
  3. Great interview tchezao! Being a doctor at 2 different cities sounds really tough, how do you make that work?
  4. Very nice read... and this name? "tchezão" are you from Rio Grande do Sul, tchê? haha