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

    "I met Bono on early evening April 4th 2017, a couple months before the JT 2017 started. As I mentioned I worked at Oxford University, and quite often out of term times we would host conferences and events. Everyone at work knew I was a big fan, so they let me serve his table."

    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?

    My name is Sukhjit Kamal (SJ) I turn 20 years old in September and I currently study a computer science course at my local University. I've been working part time for the past 4 years and spent 3 years at one of the Colleges for Oxford University and now work part time at a supermarket.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?

    My Uncle has always been a fan. I think his first tour was in 87 for the original Joshua Tree Tour. He's seen them 11 times since. His children like U2 and its the only thing he really talks about. However I couldn't care less. In fact a couple of years ago I couldn't even name a U2 song. I didn't even know what a "Bono" or an "Edge" was. They meant nothing to me.

    Then one day whilst revising for my GCSE's I had music playing on YouTube. I was stuck for ideas on what to play and suddenly U2 just popped into my head. So I typed it into the search bar and the first suggestion was "With or Without You". I played it and thought to myself "yeah this alright" so I played it again. And again. And again. And again. Each time I played it I liked it more and more, and I started to understand the song better. Then I discovered "Ordinary Love" and "Beautiful Day" and it was the same process as With or Without You. Listen, repeat. Listen, repeat.
    My cousin suggested I listen to "Where the streets have no name", "Sometimes you can't make it on your own' and "city of blinding lights".

    I think the one thing that really solidified me as U2 fan was when I met Bono on early evening April 4th (yes this really was the date) 2017, a couple months before the JT 2017 started. As I mentioned I worked at Oxford University, and quite often out of term times we would host conferences and events. This specific event was all about entrepreneurs and had some high status celebrity guests such as Country representatives, President of the World Bank and most importantly Bono.

    Everyone at work knew I was a big fan, so they let me serve his table. We were waiting outside the hall with bottles of wine, ready to serve everyone, and everyone had sat down but Bono wasn't there. I was at the front of the line and my manager said "Oh I'm sorry hes not here". I wasn't disappointed, I wasn't actually 100% expecting him to show up, then before you know it he walks straight past me. Inches away. Im trying to signal to my manager by nodding my head that its him.

    We start the service and I ask him if he would like red or white (he chose red, and had 3 top ups afterwards if anyones interested!) After I poured the wine I said that I was a big fan, I saw him in 2015 and that I'll be seeing him in July. He put his hand out to shake mine, asked me my name and asked how I was doing. I asked him if I could get a picture before he leaves and he says yes (he also bites someones arm later on in the service as well lol). Towards the end of the service we started to serve deserts. Each table holds around 150 people, and I was at the bottom. When I turned around he was standing there, and said "I'm leaving now, did you want that picture?". I of course said yes and we took some photos.



    His security/driver then comes up to me and says "listen mate, we need to go but you can come with us". Where they were going I don't actually know, but I walk out with them towards the exit of the college. I even showed Bono where the toilets were on the way. I then explain to him about how my Uncles a big fan, and that I have two Joshua Tree vinyls in my bag that I would love for him to sign. He agrees and when I bring them out he laughs and says "wow thats amazing". If he had said no or seemed agitated I wouldn't have bothered him again, but he genuinely seemed interested and love the fact that people still listened to Vinyl. He shook my hand again and said "thank you for looking after me tonight" and got into his car.

    This is what made U2 for me. You hear stories about how Bono is a such and such and honestly, it may have ruined U2 for me if that was true, but its not. He's everything you expect him to be. Thanks to him, in the 30th anniversary of the Joshua Tree, and the same year as my Uncles 50th, he got a personally signed JT Vinyl, and so did I.

    You attended your first show in 2015, share your story! What was it like?

    So I discovered U2 in April 2015. In May 2015 we bought two kittens and my Uncles family came around to see them. We ended up ordering some takeaway and had a few beers. Into the night we got onto the subject of U2 and before you know it we've spent £1000 on GetMeIn (yes I know) on four tickets to go see them in November at the O2 London. This all happened very quickly. Within a month of discovering them, I've now got tickets to go see them.

    Looking back at the actual gig, which was the 6th and final night in London, I went into it as a very casual fan. Looking back at the setlist the only songs I knew were; The Miracle, Vertigo, Invisible, Every Breaking Wave, Streets, WOWY and Beautiful Day. Overall it was a good gig, and it was the first time I ever experienced Streets live (and bare in mind at this stage I didn't know it was a signature climax song) and it blew me away. Every Breaking Wave and the Intro for the Miracle where the crowd sing the "Oooohs" were also highlights for me.

    I left the gig with "Pride" stuck in my head.

    What are your expectations for this years tour compared to 2015?

    Much darker. Much less song variety. The band have a story they want to tell and no one will stop them. We're basically seeing a 2 and half hour show about death, which the 2015 tour wasn't about. There have been some complaints about the setlist, and when looking at the bootlegs from 2015 compared to this tour, and seeing that half the setlist is the same (which is expected as its basically the same tour) it does feel a bit "lazy". However I think the setlist is "ok" and when you're there in person I'm sure it won't even matter!

    This tour I'm doing Manchester 1 with my Mum, Manchester 2 alone, London 1 with my Uncles family, London 2 alone and then Dublin 4 with my Dad. A couple of days ago I nearly bought a ticket for a Cologne show. The ticket itself, accommodation and flight was actually quite cheap, and cheaper than what I paid for one ticket for either London or Manchester 1! However when you include things such as airport parking costs, fuel, spending money and taxis in Cologne you were looking at £400. So I decided not to and will spend that money on other bands this year as I'm already seeing U2 five times!

    What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?

    I have a shirt from the I+E tour and also have the DVD from that tour. I have a Joshua Tree Tour 2017 shirt and the cup. I have Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience, Zooropa, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and the Blackout and Lights of Home RSD releases on Vinyl. I also purchased the Red Flag Day shirt from the "shirts of experiences" range.

    However my main pride and joy is a big frame on the wall, with the signed JT Vinyl from Bono with the pictures of me and him surrounding it.

    Which U2 song do you feel the most "attached" to, or means the most for you?

    I've been listening to Love is all we have left, Stay and Ultra Violet a lot recently. However the one that really means the most to me is "Kite". Around this time last year we lost my cat Loki, and I was at work when I got the call. We're a massive cat family and only a year before we lost Loki we lost our first Cat Jai to cancer. When I got home I listened to "Kite" and thats stayed with me ever since.

    November 2015 saw U2 - Jai passed away Dec 2015
    July 2017 saw U2 - Loki passed away August 2017

    Hopefully the curse will break this year

    What do you think about Songs of Experience, how does it rank against other albums?

    I love it. Normally with albums from U2 or whoever, there's probably 4 songs I don't like. However on this record, theres only one I truly don't like and thats "The Showman". This album is one of my favourites and have one of the best songs they've ever done - Its the little things that give you away. The album also has one of the best live anthems they've ever done - Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way. For a band to be around 40+ years and produce this is quite simply amazing!

    If you could hear one U2 album live in full, from start to finish, which one would it be?

    It would have been The Joshua Tree but we've already had that! The album and tour I wish I went to was Vertigo. The opening 6 songs of that album is so strong, and seeing the DVD and hearing bootlegs of COBL opening the shows give me goosebumps!

    I suppose Achtung Baby would also be a decent shout as well. However knowing LiveNation I expect we'll see some specials shows for that in 2021.

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?

    They're very different. I can't think of a single band who has its original members after 40 years. I like a range of music. Rap, Indie, Rock. Some artists I like are Eminem, Kings of Leon, Oasis, LG, Noel, Courteeners and a few more indie bands. I like going to the O2 academies and discovering new bands.

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?

    I'm trying to make more of an effort to see live music, I think this year alone I'm seeing around 17 - 20 gigs. Some with people, some alone. I did Tae Kwon Do for 8 years and got my Black Belt in 2014. Have't trained since 2015. Im a gamer as well. Mainly PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

    I'm also a massive football nut. Enjoyed the World Cup this Summer which eventually ended in heartbreak (England fan). I support my local team Oxford United. Been a Season Ticket Holder there for around 7/8 years. Near enough every Saturday Im following them home or away. We play in League One, so 2 leagues below the Premier League.

    I would like to thank Remy and everybody at U2Start for giving me this opportunity



    Thanks for this interview SJKamal!

    Note: Our crew members choose the fan of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. That is an amazing story and a great read about how you met bono. Its excellent to hear how great he was in person and the time he took with you, it’s little touches like that which really make a difference.
  3. I loved reading that SJKamal. What a great story! Bears out everything I have heard about Bono, that he is a sound man.

    On a separate note, my Border Terrier, Loki passed away a few months back. Still heartsore. Hopefully himself and Loki the Cat are in Asgard partying
  4. Originally posted by Anam:I loved reading that SJKamal. What a great story! Bears out everything I have heard about Bono, that he is a sound man.

    On a separate note, my Border Terrier, Loki passed away a few months back. Still heartsore. Hopefully himself and Loki the Cat are in Asgard partying
    I'm so sorry to hear about your dog! I know it can be tough. My Loki left behind his Brother Thor.

    Like you said though, both our Loki's are partying in Asgard right now, and who knows, maybe even planning world domination together!
  5. Originally posted by deanallison:That is an amazing story and a great read about how you met bono. Its excellent to hear how great he was in person and the time he took with you, it’s little touches like that which really make a difference.
    Thanks Dean. You're 100% right. It is the little touches that make a difference. Its what made U2 for me
  6. Great read SJKamal. Really nice that Bono remembered your photo request before leaving.
  7. That was wonderful and what a beautiful Bono story! He genuinely cares about the fans and the fact that he was the one who "reminded" you about the photo is really awesome and speaks for his character!
  8. What a great story. You are so fortunate to have met him like that, and so nice to hear he's as genuine as we hear about. I hope you enjoy the upcoming shows! (And I'm with you re the Showman )
  9. Originally posted by jennagirl:What a great story. You are so fortunate to have met him like that, and so nice to hear he's as genuine as we hear about. I hope you enjoy the upcoming shows! (And I'm with you re the Showman )
    I'm honestly surprised that I've found someone else who doesn't like the showman. It seems quite popular with everyone else!

    Thank you everyone for your comments regarding the Bono story. He really is a sound guy
  10. Beautiful interview. I loved reading.
    And this is what is cool. See new people discovering U2. In the same way I discovered them in the 1990s by watching the Sunday Bloody Sunday at red rocks in a music video program, and listening to "Pride" on a radio. I remember thinking to myself ... "This band is different."
    And to see that this still happens with the young people of today, is inspiring.

    Congratulations from Brazil SJKamal
  11. Great story to read. How nice that he came to you when he wanted to leave.
  12. Great read, I teared up a bit. So happy for you that you got to meet him and that he was so nice