An Open Letter to Bono

Dear Bono,

I'm a fan. Not the kind of huge fans who collect all of U2 CDs and memorabilia, and know all U2 songs by heart and make it their life soundtrack. But it's safe to say that I've been a huge admirer of U2, and you, since junior high.

I thought you're the most charismatic frontman next to Robert Plant. One was among the first songs I taught myself to play on guitar back in college (still not good at playing guitar, though). I wore with pride the oversize Rattle and Hum t-shirt my sister bought me (Btw sis, I'm not that fat! Stop buying me oversize clothes!!). I became more aware of world politics thanks to U2 lyrics and the dedication you guys wrote in every album for political prisoners like Suu Kyii.

I also watched your activism with high admiration. Although I think lately you delved too much in it, instead of being what you really are first and foremost: a musician and a rock star. It's great to care for a cause or two, but as one of my journalism mentors said, you can care about any cause as a journalist, but if you're asked to cover an environmental rally, for example, you have to stay neutral instead of joining the protesters and chain yourself on the tree.

But you're Bono, of course, you're entitled to do anything. You're, like, a messiah, as Gwen Stefani said.

I no longer obsess with music the way I used to, but I still wish to see my favorite musicians perform live in concert. U2, of course, is among the top of my list.

I was then really ecstatic when my brother in law, who works for a concert promoter, told me that U2 is going to have a concert in Bali on Nov. 15. I was really thrilled, feeling that it would be the best birthday celebration ever for me. I spread the news to my close friends, who were also very ecstatic, and we began to survey plane ticket fare to Bali.

One of my friends, though, blasted the news, saying that she has lost some respect for you and U2 ever since there was the news about U2 refusing to hold a concert in Indonesia due to the human rights violation in East Timor.

According to my friend, you have become too political, making music no longer universal. "So there's a human right violation. What about the U.S.? It has a long list of human rights violation cases. There's no country in the world that's free from human rights violation. But does it stop U2 from having concerts there? Nooo," she said.

I agree with what she said. You reminded me of those developed countries leaders who refuse to give aid to poor countries for fear of the aid being embezzled, but at the end the move made poor people more miserable while corruption is still rampant. But I defended you. After all, you're Bono, you're entitled to do anything.

Until my brother in law informed me about the price of the upcoming concert ticket, which would be Rp 3 million (around US$320) and Rp 8 million. WTF?? I don't know if it's because U2's performance fee is too high or the promoter simply want to capitalize the event to the max. Still, Bono, it's so goddamn expensive.

You're pal with Jeffrey Sachs and you even wrote an introduction for Sachs' book The End of Poverty, so you're probably familiar with the fact that most Indonesians don't even earn that much in a month. Heck, millions are still living under $1 a day! Or perhaps you're too busy dealing with poverty in Africa that you're not aware that millions of Asians are poor too.

Perhaps you can take the cue from Pearl Jam who fought with Ticketmaster as the latter charged concertgoers with too high ticket price. I forgot who won the case but the bottom line is, the band cared about their fans and they made sure they have access to watch the band's performance. Cause it's indeed the fans who have brought Pearl Jam or any other band, including U2, to the present stature.

You're Bono, but this time, you can't just get away with it.

I think it's time you call U2 a day. But people say you're only as good as your last game/last deed. In that case, you need to make one last great album. Because How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb sucks. Big time.


Regards,
Hera

PS. I'm not going to the concert. I'd rather save up for Madonna's.

Posted by hera at Tuesday, September 23, 2008 4:34 PM | Permalinks