This week’s OTR is brought to you by the letter “L.” I’ll be talking about love for a song debut and a song cover, lasting friendships, and the mightiest “L” of them all, Larry Mullen Jr.
I’ll start with Larry first. His new film Man On The Train will be a part of the Tribeca Film Festival’s “TFF On The Road” event and is being screened in four cities across the country in advance of its Oct. 28 U.S. On Demand release date. One of the cities that will play the movie is Westfield, which is in New Jersey where I live. I’m really excited to have the chance to see Larry on the big screen, which I haven’t done since U2 3D. I’m also thrilled to get to see him flex his dramatic acting muscles. We all know how well he does at the drum kit, so it’s going to be really cool to see his acting chops on display! This will also be Larry’s first time playing an actual character. In the film Entropy, he appeared as himself. Here’s a video featuring all of U2’s clips in that film.
Larry’s band mates, Bono and Edge, have been busy as well. They were among the all-star lineup of performers at the A Decade of Difference concert on Saturday night at the Hollywood Bowl, a fundraiser celebrating the 10th anniversary of the William J. Clinton Foundation. Bono and Edge played seven songs, which included “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “One,” and for the very first time, “A Man And A Woman.” I’m really delighted over that, as How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb is my favorite U2 record. Here’s hoping a little more love is shown for that album during U2’s next tour (for me at least)!
The 20th anniversary of Achtung Baby is approaching and UK magazine Q announced the artist lineup for AHK-toong Bay-bi Covered. The album will feature artists performing their own versions of the songs from Achtung Baby. I’m a huge fan of The Killers, so I’m beyond elated that they are not only a part of this, but that they are taking on “Ultraviolet (Light My Way),” which is one of my favorites. I’m so proud of them for getting the chance to be on this record. I know they will do a fantastic job and give a different spin on the song. I’m trying to think about what it’ll sound like but I can’t really form a definitive idea. All I know is that because I’m so anxious to hear it, I’ll probably rip the package open with my teeth when it arrives!
Last weekend I was a bridesmaid in a wedding for a close friend. While the DJ played some lovey-dovey tunes by Sinatra, Elvis, and even Aerosmith, I thought about certain U2 songs that would have fit in perfectly at a wedding. I’m not alone in this thought because on Valentine’s Day this year @U2 staffers wrote a list about this very thing! So whether your own nuptials are coming up and you need some inspiration, or you’re looking for a new playlist to create on your iPod, do check out the staff’s beautiful choices.
Two years ago this month, I attended the first-ever U2 Conference in Durham, N.C. I knew I would have the time of my life learning even more about U2, but didn’t know the conference would actually change my life. It was my first time traveling by myself. When I got there, I was hoping to meet some fellow fans so it would make being there alone a little easier. There was a get-together for all attendees on the first night at a local Irish pub and I was sitting at a table in the back of the crowded room. Two women from Massachusetts, Amy and her mother Linda, sat down at the table also. Perhaps it was pure Irish luck mixed with divine fate, because the moment Amy and I started talking, it was as if we were destined to be friends. We both adored U2 and especially Larry, we loved to write (Amy has a blog), and had other similar interests as well. Then she asked me if I listened to The Killers. My response to her was simply lifting my Killers tote bag onto the table and saying, “YES!!”
For the rest of the night, it was like talking to someone I had been searching for all my life who understood my fangirl nature. We had giggly conversations all weekend about Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers. We gushed about Larry on the bus ride leaving U2’s concert at Carter-Finley Stadium. I was terrified that once I left, I’d lose touch with Amy and we’d only be acquaintances from then on. Luckily, that wasn’t the case and we’ve been carrying on our uber-fangirl friendship to this day. That one weekend brought two people together who might never have met at all. I gained not only a new perspective about U2 and their music, but also a big sister that I’ve never had. Every day I’m so happy to know Amy and I’m grateful for her having a place in my life. On the plane ride going home, I wrote in my journal, “I knew my first solo trip would have a happy ending.”
And now two years later, I’m writing for @U2, which collaborated with conference organizers to help make the event happen. It’s such a blessing and all of this proves that fate indeed moves in mysterious ways.
(c) @U2/Marino, 2011
Loading ...