Bono on Paris Concert Shootings: ‘This Is the First Direct Hit on Music’
Bono and U2 place flowers on the pavement near the scene of yesterday’s Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris, France. At least 120 people have been killed and over 200 injured, 80 of which seriously, following a series of terrorist attacks in the French capital.
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After U2 visited a makeshift memorial at Le Batalcan to pay homage to the (at least) 127 people gunned down by terrorists at the venue during a Friday night concert, frontman Bono spoke to Irish DJ Dave Fanning about the Paris shootings.
“Our first thoughts at this point are with the Eagles of Death Metal fans,” Bono said, via Rolling Stone. “If you think about it, the majority of victims last night are music fans. This is the first direct hit on music that we’ve had in this so-called War on Terror, or whatever it’s called. It’s very upsetting. These are our people. This could be me at a show, you at a show, in that venue. It’s a very recognizable situation for you and for me and the cold-blooded aspect of this slaughter is deeply disturbing and that’s what I can’t get out of my head.”
U2 ‘Devastated’ After Attacks, Cancels Paris Concert
U2 are in Paris for now-canceled Saturday and Sunday night concerts, the former of which was to be broadcast live on HBO. The band was rehearsing just minutes away from Le Bataclan last night when the attack went down.
“Our security locked it down pretty quickly and we got our team and our crew out of there safely,” Bono said. “We came to the back door of the hotel. Everyone congregated and watched the TV like everybody else in disbelief with what was happening. We’re all safe.”