1. Every month we put a U2 fan in the spotlights, the fan of the month May of 2020 is user opsopcopolis. Read along for the interview we had with this U2 fan.

    "One of my favorite part about U2's continued touring is how they continue to innovate the live concert experience. I go to a lot of shows (usually around 70 a year) and I can always count on a U2 show to be something different and exciting both visually and musically."

    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    I'm originally from the Northeastern US, currently living just outside of Washington, DC. I'm an AV Engineer and occasional recording/mixing engineer.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    This goes hand in hand with the next two questions. As a kid, I discovered most music through my dad. Joshua Tree was on his rotation of CDs in the car that he would play while driving me and my brothers to school.

    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?
    As I said above, my dad introduced me to them. I've also helped broaden my girlfriend's love of the band. Took her to the Joshua Tree show when it came through DC a few years ago.

    Your first U2 show was for the Vertigo tour near the end of the 3rd leg in Hartford, how did you experience that show?
    I loved that show. At that point I gotten my hands on the audio of the Slane Castle show and played it to death, so I knew some of the ins and outs of live U2. My dad and I had started going to shows together and got last minute tickets on stubhub and ended up side stage on Adam's side. Seeing Instant Karma was very cool for massive Beatles fans like us, especially having no idea they played it.

    You saw U2 on almost every tour since, how did they evolve over the years up until Experience & Innocence?
    One of my favorite part about U2's continued touring is how they continue to innovate the live concert experience. I go to a lot of shows (usually around 70 a year) and I can always count on a U2 show to be something different and exciting both visually and musically. I also enjoy seeing how they structure their setlists, bringing older songs in and out of rotation and using new material to push the narrative of the show (particularly in the i&e tour.)

    What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
    I don't have a huge U2 collection, just a poster or two and a handful of vinyl. My collection is mostly music.

    What is your favorite U2 bootleg, and why? Do you often listen to bootlegs?
    I'm a taper, and my favorite bootlegs tend to be the ones I've made. I'm writing this on 5/23 and actually just finished listening to a matrix I threw together of my audience tape and the IEM source from the Phoenix I&E show from this day 5 years ago. I'm pretty happy with my recordings of both of those shows, as well as the DC JT and E&I shows. As somebody who records with normal means (microphones and recorder I'm constantly amazed by what the IEM tapers are able to capture.)

    Current music is more 'targeted' towards the younger demographic such as yourself - how do U2 fit into this musical landscape?
    U2 will always be one of the most innovative and exciting live bands in the world. I think their recorded output will go in and out of relevance, as everybody's does. Personally I'm in the mood for a guitar oriented U2 record (I loved No Line...)

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    They are definitely one of the older bands I see consistently! They're also one of the only bands I get really excited to see (Pearl Jam is another big one) because I never know quite what to expect. I try to avoid setlist spoilers when going to a show so (except with e&i and JT to a lesser extent) I never really know what I'll be getting music and production wise.

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
    As I said before, I see a lot of live music. These days (since there is no live music) I've been listening through recordings of shows I've seen on this day in history. As a taper I have recorded almost every show I've seen (or have a copy through other means) so I have a massive collection of live music across all genres. I'm also an avid rock climber and eagerly awaiting the lifting of stay at home orders so I can get back on the rocks!

    Thanks for this interview opsopcopolis!

    Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. I'm also a (not so serious) taper and I know your feeling that your favorite bootlegs recordings are the ones you made yourself!