- Culture
- 08 May 20
Listen to the interview below.
Speaking from his home in Dublin, U2's Bono gave an exclusive interview on The Ryan Tubridy Show this morning.
"We are not all in the same boat, but we are all going through the same storm - we all want to serve in our different capacity," Bono said of U2's decision to help frontline workers in Ireland with a donation of €10 million. "The band are a little funny about public philanthropy because in the end, it's part self promotion. We wanted to show solidarity with the frontline medics."
He also discussed his new neighbour in Dalkey: actor Matt Damon.
"Most of us have been trying to dodge Matt Damon since Contagion," he joked. "He's like Johnny-no-mates. I've known him a long time. He's an incredible human being. His family are close by. I'll tell you one thing that annoys me about him – all of the locals here have voted him 'sexiest man in Dalkey' which I find offensive. He's showing confidence in the country. He could have left. He sees the madness that's going on in his own land, and he loves it here."
Also on the agenda was Bono's big birthday – as he prepares to turn 60 this weekend.
"I was going to have a quiet birthday anyway," he said. "I was just going to go for a long walk. People are giving up a lot more than their birthdays, I'm just grateful that I got here and really grateful to the people who got to where I am."
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Speaking about what he's listening to during lockdown, Bono discussed making a "a top 40 favourite Irish songs" playlist – featuring Fontaines D.C., Shane MacGowan, Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, Damien Rice and Glen Hansard.
Listen to the full interview below:
Bono's bandmate Adam Clayton will be also be talking to Ryan Tubridy tonight on The Late Late Show – on RTE One at 9.35pm.