Shirley Manson, sitting on a stool in a sound room at Capitol Studios, confessed something in front of the 200 or so people cross-legged on the floor and in rows of chairs behind them as she awaited for the four members of U2 to arrive. Four bar stools, each with a microphone placed on the seat, sat empty beside her.
“I’ve never done this before,” she said, her notes shaking in her hands. “I’m shitting myself.”
The occasion was an interview she was conducting with the band for something called the U2 Radio Network, and the crowd was comprised primarily of radio industry professionals who no doubt the band was seeking to curry favor with in order to get better exposure for its new album. But the band has bussed in some real life fans, too, who you could spot because, well, they didn’t look like radio professionals. This event has been billed as “an inside look at No Light on the Horizon,” and Manson, of the band Garbage, has been shouldered with the responsibility of talking with the band.
We’re promised by some lackey before the band comes out that tonight is going to be “filled with surprises,” and considering we’re in a recording studio waiting for a rock band to come out and talk about its new album, maybe we’ll get a song or two. But there’s no gear set up, just the empty stools and a pretty Scotswoman, so that’s looking less and less likely.
The so-called U2 Radio Network counts down the seconds until the top of the hour. This is being broadcast live over the Internet to subscribers of the band’s website ($50 a year), and since U2 is perhaps the most disciplined band in the world, of course everything’s on time. Including the band, who, as the countdown hits blastoff and Manson introduces them, poke their heads from behind a door, and the small crowd erupts as Bono, the Edge, and bassist Adam Clayton walk out and take their seats. Missing is drummer Larry Mullins, who’s not feeling well (though he ultimately arrived late and answered a few final questions.)
full story here: LA Weekly
thanks to Erin B. for the tip
