By Salma El-Sakka
Bono has said that maintaining U2's internal equilibrium has become more difficult over time, attributing the challenge partly to "male ego." The Irish rock band has retained all four core members – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. – throughout a five-decade career.
Band dynamics and 'male ego'
The group operates on a democratic system Bono describes as a "soviet," which includes equal sharing of songwriting credits and joint decision-making. In a new interview with The Guardian, Bono admitted this arrangement has "got harder as time's gone on."
Quoting Marianne Faithfull, Bono added: "Never underestimate the male ego, darling." He explained that as men lose power – physical, sexual, or mental – they compensate by flexing.
Future and lineup
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. said that if the band truly understood its power dynamic, they might have moved into political advice. He stressed the need to "go into a room and share and be open to most circumstances."
The interview also addressed rumors of a breakup following U2's 2023-24 Las Vegas Sphere residency, which took place without Mullen as he recovered from neck surgery. Guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Evans, said U2 is defined by its four members. If someone left, it would be a different group, possibly "U2 part two," and he doubted they would be sitting there if Mullen were not ready to play.
New album and tour
U2 rose to prominence in the 1980s, becoming one of rock's most commercially successful bands. Their 16th studio album, "Carnaval de Luz," will be released on November 13, marking their first original material since 2017's "Songs of Experience." A tour is planned for next year.
