10 Best Rock Bands From Ireland
5. U2
Forget the iPod invasion, the wraparound shades and the frontman’s public persona: U2 were, and often still are, a great band. Going strong with the same lineup for pushing 40 years, they’re one of modern rock’s true stalwarts, a band capable of constant reinvention, true inspiration, and yes, very annoying moments too.
For those averse to pomp, the first three records are pared down post-punk, starting as they mean to go on with the shimmering “I Will Follow” and concluding with uptempo “40”. The golden period then begins - it’s a march to stadium rock glory, but the tunes are worthy of the increasingly gigantic venues. “Pride”, “Desire”, “Where The Streets Have No Name” - the hits kept coming.
The irony-drenched ‘90s were hit and miss - Achtung Baby on one side, Pop on the other, the underrated Zooropa in the middle - but Bono and the boys kept evolving and rolling. All That You Can’t Leave Behind was a soaring state of the nation, perhaps their last truly great record but the follow ups - including the slightly questionable compulsory release Songs Of Innocence - have their moments.