When Bono Met Tony has just broadcast on Today FM, with the U2 frontman discussing everything from his hopes for Dublin shows to his favourite touring memories and upbringing in Dublin Northside. The interview was recorded in January with the legendary DJ Tony Fenton, who sadly passed away in March.
While the band's camp have confirmed that there are no official plans to play Dublin as yet, Bono did outline his hopes for their homecoming. He admitted that the size of 3Arena could pose a problem. Comparing it to their Madison Square Garden plans, he said: "We can't fit this tour in 3Arena and we're really bummed out about this."
Instead, he says the band decided: "Let's do something we're not going to do anywhere else in the world." The plan in January was to make their Irish shows "the most intimate shows we're ever going to do."
Talking about the confirmed worldwide dates, Bono said that while people have talked about the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour being pared-back, that didn't tell the entire story.
"Again, looking for that intimacy," Bono told Fenton, "But at the same time we just can't help trying to do what nothing's ever done before... We've a plan that we're very, very excited about."
That plan involves periods of them at their "most minimal", as well as "mind messes", with Bono noting: "We want to divide our audience in two."
While U2 aim to be "innovative", the Dublin star cited Laurie Anderson's live performances when he stated: "It's not about size. Size isn't everything! But it is about the smarts; the innovation."
Asked by Fenton what keeps U2 together?
"Unfinished business."
Their fears as a band?
"That we give in to our fears."
Bono revealed: "I have occasionally had a band member late at night say 'I just can't take it any more. Can we just stop, for a minute, putting our head above the parapet?'..."
"That's the danger: U2 trying to be cool, now that would be a disaster!"
The interview concluded with Bono telling Tony how much Ireland and U2 respected and loved him. Hear, hear.
Listen to it all here.