People rest on a bench after being evacuated from the Bataclan theater after a shooting in Paris, Saturday, November 14, 2015.
Advertisement
U2 frontman Bono has responded to the terrorist attacks in Paris that killed over 120 people, injured 350 more and prompted U2’s scheduled concert and HBO special to be canceled.
France has vowed revenge for the attacks. Coldplay cancelled a Tidal live-stream concert and Deftones have postponed their concert at The SSE Arena, Wembley, scheduled for this coming Saturday.
France imposed a state of emergency after the wave of coordinated attacks Friday, including a massacre at another concert venue where USA band Eagles of Death Metal was headlining.
U2 members say: “We hope and pray that all of our fans in Paris are safe”. The Irish rockers led by Bono appeared later at the Bataclan to pay their respects. “All our thoughts are with the Eagles of Death Metal fans”.
“If you think about it, the majority of victims last night are music fans”, Bono said in an interview with Rolling Stone, “This is the first direct hit on music that we’ve had in this so-called War on Terror or whatever it’s called. And it’s very upsetting….These are our people”, said Bono. “This could be me at a show”, he said.
The singer also claimed it wasn’t the band’s decision to cancel the concert, which was part of their Innocence + Experience Tour.
“In light of this senseless violence, the closing of borders, and worldwide mourning, we can’t continue right now”.
U2 said in a statement, “We watched in disbelief and shock at the unfolding events in Paris and our hearts go out to all the victims and their families across the city tonight”. Foo Fighters had been due to play at Bercy, also known as AccorHotels Arena, the day after U2 and also had shows left in Turin, Lyon and Barcelona.
Advertisement
But another veteran rock group, Motorhead, plans to go ahead with a concert Sunday in Paris.
