"Then the chords of Where the streets have no name started. I was in shock. There was a friend nearby and I asked him, which song is this? Where can I find it? That's where it all started, in less than a year Rattle and Hum arrived and I took the opportunity to get hold of the U2 discography."
Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
My name is Manuel and I live in Córdoba, Andalusia (Spain). Córdoba is a small inland city well connected by train with Madrid and Seville where the Olympic stadium is (and where I saw the u2 show).
I am a lawyer and I have two children. My 10 year old little son is discovering u2 although I also suspect that he plays u2 music for me when he wants to get something... hahaha
How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
I remember how I became a fan of u2. it was at a school party on a saturday night in 1987. Imagine the situation: Bananarama music, Rick Astley and then the chords of Where the streets have no name start...of course, I didn't dance. I was in shock. There was a friend nearby and I asked him, but …whose song is this? Where can I find it? That's where it all started, in less than a year Rattle and Hum arrived and I took the opportunity to get hold of the u2 discography. I was especially struck by "Under a Blood Red Sky.
Did you ever have a special U2 experience like a live concert? Can you tell us something about it?
I've only seen u2 twice: during the popmart tour in Madrid in 1997 and on the 360º tour in Seville. The most special moment I experienced live was when they performed Mercy and north star on the 360º tour, two songs that they played a few times on tour and that I think are very good (and never officially recorded). But I've always had a thorn in my heart: I couldn't go see them during zooropa Tour because I had to prepare for exams. Please can someone already invent the time machine?
In your opinion, what has been U2's defining moment and why?
For me (and I think for a lot of people) The Joshua Tree catapulted U2 as the band of the 80s. But I think it was also the band of the 90s with Achtung Baby, and especially with that huge tour that I think they never surpassed afterwards: ZOOTV. This is the defining moment. When I say they didn't overcome it, it's not because of technical or technological means, but because of spontaneity, they looked fresh, 100%, giving their all. But u2 was also the band of the 2000s, they became the group with the most Grammys in history, and of course the 360º tour returned them to the highest place in live shows.
If you could only hear one more U2 song for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
It is very difficult to choose to always listen to the same song, don't you think? but I think ultraviolet (light my way). I remember that it is a special on Spanish TV, they presented it as the song in Achtung Baby that most reminded "the old u2". But I love who's gonna ride, that song to lost love...
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?
My brothers also like u2. In fact, the three of us always go to concerts together. I discovered u2 before, but it was not necessary to convert them, nor to convince them. When they saw a crazy guy enjoying u2's music, I think they thought "what's wrong with him?", and started listening to U2
How did U2start (or other forums) influence your music preferences? Did U2 fans influence you liking other artists?
I've always been a fan of Inxs, I think that together with U2 they were the band that marked the 80s. At u2 start I could see that there were a lot of people who liked INXS, which made me very happy. I think very few people will remember but before u2 start there was another forum, u2star, sadly disappeared, and which also served to share my admiration for u2 and Inxs.
What are your expectations of a future new U2 album?
I think u2 by now have pretty much done it all. It has been a group different from all due to its ability to innovate and to surprise musically and technologically in the world of rock. and when it seemed that they were musically dead they were resurrected with Achtung Baby. Honestly I don't expect anything from u2, just that they keep making good music, but that they don't get bored either. This will last as long as they want. But if they do make a good record, I'll be the first to celebrate it, they've been with me all my life.
How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
Well, the artists that I listen to are not very different from u2: Heroes del Silencio in Spain, although with their own personality, had a marked influence from u2, as they recognized. And what can I tell you about my other admired group INXS? his album "Welcome to wherever you are" is his own "Achtung Baby". U2's shadow is too long.......
What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
I like to go to concerts whenever I can, I love listening to music and I buy music vinyl. I like to go running, but nothing at a professional level like other users that we have here. The truth is that it is a pride to belong to this u2 start community. I think that like me, many other people fill an important gap in their lives. And this is a wonderful thing. Thanks for reading, I hope I didn't bore you too much!!
