The frontman of the Irish rock band sent fans into frenzy after making the statement at a concert in Berlin, Germany, but one of their dedicated fan accounts is adamant the band will still do shows.
- Nov 15, 2018
AceShowbiz - Bono has sparked concern among U2 fans by claiming the band is "going away now" following the end of their "Experience + Innocence Tour".
The Irish frontman made the comment as the group took to the stage at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany for the last night of their jaunt on Tuesday, November 13.
"We've been on the road for quite some time, just going on 40 years, and these last four years have been really something very special for us. We're going away now..." Bono told the crowd, according to fan account U2gigs.
Bono: "we've been on the road for quite some time, just going on 40 years, and this last 4 years have been really something very special for us. We're going away now..." #U2eiTour
— U2gigs (@u2gigs) November 13, 2018
While the remark caused panic among fans of the "Beautiful Day" hitmakers, moderators of U2gigs, who regularly provide coverage of the band's live shows, tried to calm them down, by pointing out it's not the first time Bono and his crew have made such a statement.
"Every tour I've covered, right back to Vertigo, every final gig is the same: mass panic that this is the last gig... Ten bucks says I'll be covering another gig with you folks sometime down the track," they tweeted.
Every tour I've covered, right back to Vertigo, every final gig is the same: mass panic that this is the last gig. (Well, OK, not on JT30 since this tour had already been announced.) Ten bucks says I'll be covering another gig with you folks sometime down the track. #U2eiTour
— U2gigs (@u2gigs) November 13, 2018
While the U2gigs writer acknowledged that "this is the first time the mass panic has at least seemed plausible", they suggested the group will definitely be doing something to mark the 40th anniversary of their album "Boy" or the 30th of "Achtung Baby".
I will concede that this is the first time the mass panic has at least seemed plausible. But there'll be *something* for Boy at 40 or AB at 30, or a new record. U2 won't sit still and they won't break up, and they've got enough years ahead of them yet to fit in more gigs!
— U2gigs (@u2gigs) November 13, 2018
Speaking to Q magazine earlier this year, Bono explained that he wouldn't hold a grudge if any of his bandmates - the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. - wanted to call time on their U2 journey.
"It's never been a given between the four of us that this would go on forever," he told the publication. "U2 is a fast car. It's not meant to be cruising. It's perfectly sensible for people to say, 'Y'know what? I can't give it anymore. I can't stay at this level. I need some time with my kids or my friends.' I could not hold that against anyone or myself."
