u2

2K15: What I’m Looking Forward To In The Pop Culture World

Films

The Force Awakens (December)
The hype for this film is massive. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the amount of press and speculation about a film in my life time. The first thought I had when another trilogy was announced was, if this goes bad, it’s gonna be really bad. As in, Star Wars fans take things super seriously, and something tiny could ruin the film for them. But so far, everyone has been super positive about it, which is a good sign.

Age of Ultron (July)
The first Avengers film took me by surprise. At the time I hadn’t seen any of the five Marvel films that had proceeded it, but I absolutely loved it. And as most sequels go, this one will be bigger and better. On the flip side, some sequels are terrible, but that won’t be the case with this one. With the incredible Joss Whedon in charge we have nothing to worry about. Plus he has been taking inspiration from The Empire Strikes back, only the greatest sequel of all time.

Music

Songs of Experience (Probably not even 2015, more like 2018, because this is U2, right?)
The most hated album of the year was one of my favourites, and ever since Bono mentioned a follow up, I’ve been wanted more from U2.

untitled 7th Kanye album (some time soon)
All through out 2014, there was meant to be a new Kanye West album. We got to end of the year and we had nothing. Now in 2015, it’s looking like a full album will be coming sooner rather than latter, now that a new single “Only One” with Paul McCartney has been released.

TV

Game Of Thrones (April)
The worlds most downloaded show is back again. While I like shows with shorter seasons like Thrones (10 episodes a season), the ten month gap is painful. Luckily the wait is close to over.

Parks & Recreation (January)
NBC’s last decent comedy is nearly over, and they will be missed by many. Blink and you might miss the final season as it will be all over by the end of Febuary. Then all we will have is our memories Lil Sebastian (RIP Lil Sebastian).

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Reasons Why U2 Aren’t As Bad As You Think

Okay so everyone knows about how two months ago U2 dumped their album onto everyone’s phone, in an apparent violation of privacy, and on came the enormous amount of hate. Well I’m here to try and let you know they are cooler than you think.

Reason #1 – Influenced many bands you love today – You like Coldplay, The Killers, Oasis, Snow Patrol, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon or 30 Seconds To Mars.? Well they have all been influenced by U2 in one way or another. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is a massive fan, claiming U2 is the only band whose entire back catalog he knows by heart, and telling Rolling Stone that “A Sort Of Homecoming” from The Unforgettable Fire is the first song he played to his unborn baby.

Reason #2 – Product RED – Ever seen a red iPod and found it strange since Apple usually use really bright colours, when this would of been a deep red. That would of been due to it being made in partnership with Product Red. Wikipedia explains Product Red as a licensed brand that seeks to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds to eliminate HIV/AIDS in Africa. Co-founded by U2 frontman Bono, they have partnered with Nike, Apple Inc. Starbucks, and Penguin Classics to raise funds. Earlier this year U2 released a new song during the Superbowl that could be downloaded for free over a twenty four hour period (they didn’t “force” it onto your phone, so nobody was having a major whinge). This was done in partnership with Banks of America who would donate $1 for every download to (RED). In the end $3,138,470 was donated.

Reason #3 – You know more U2 songs than you know – Most will claim to know nothing about U2, because it’s ‘old music’, but if their greatest hits were being played, a lot of young people would recognise the tunes. With Or Without You, One, Beautiful Day, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Vertigo, Where The Streets Have No Names, Sweetest Thing, and City of Blinding Lights. There is eight songs, so many you will all know (and maybe even enjoy), but you will all claim to dislike the band. (more…)

No new U2 album till 2015 (Update: Rep denies these claims)

According to Billboard, U2 are delaying the releases of their next album, so they can book in new recording sessions with producers Ryan Tedder and Paul Epworth, meaning the follow up to No Line On The Horizon, won’t be seen till 2015. This also pushed back the accompanying tour to Summer of 2015.

It was expected for the Irish rock group to release new music late last year, when dates got moved to Summer this year. Now the new arrival date could be in the early months of 2015.

Read more at Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/u2-delay-new-album-and-tour-to-2015-20140307

Update: A representative for U2 has told that the bands 13th album is still planned to be released this year. Billboard last week broke the news that the band would have to delay any new material, due to extra recording sessions with Ryan Tedder and Paul Epworth, till next year. While the sessions with Tedder and Epworth will still happen, it looks as though we will hear the currently untitled album in Summer which, according to Bono who spoke to USA Today, was the original date.