U2 offshore: Bono should put a sock in it or just give us a song
Despite a brilliant international marketing campaign — that has resulted in the band’s new album getting masses of publicity not just in Ireland but in Britain and the US as well — U2 is getting the sort of coverage in its homeland that must hurt because it could diminish its popularity and that of its members. If the campaign gets global attention, that could impact commercially, too. Instead of the music, it is the tax status of the band and its members that is getting attention.
A nation that suffered tax exiles during the boom years is becoming somewhat intolerant of those who are not seen to be contributing their fair share, especially when everybody else is facing a massive hike in taxes, if lucky enough to still have a job, and a much lower standard of living. There are many fat cats at whom this anger could be directed — especially some of those who lecture the rest of us as to what needs to be done for the economy, as if they are exempt from blame — but U2 is bearing the brunt of the anger.
