This Popular Rock Band Will Perform in Paris Despite November Attacks; "These are our people"

Leah Marieann Klett : Dec 3, 2015
Gospel Herald

"...we're going back, you bet. Nothing will stop us from going back. Be vigilant, but be unafraid." -Bono

Bono, lead singer of the iconic rock band U2, has announced that the group will perform in Paris next week and expressed hope that the performance will inspire the audience. (Photo via Gospel Herald)

The 55-year-old rocker, philanthropist, and professing Christian made his comments during a recent interview with the Associated Press.

"Well, knowing our French audience and having a sense of them by now, I would say joy as an act of defiance," he said of his expectations for the concert. "That's what U2 does, that's what French people want from us and that's it."

The popular rock band was originally scheduled to perform in Paris on November 14, less than 24 hours after a series of terrorist attacks that left 130 dead and scores wounded. The most devastating attack was carried out at an Eagles of Death Metal concert held at the Bataclan Concert Hall, prompting U2 to postpone their performance, now scheduled for Dec. 6 and 7.

At the time, Bono deemed the assault as a "direct hit on music" and extended his thoughts and prayers to the people of Paris.

"If you think about it, the majority of victims last night are music fans," Bono said. "This is the first direct hit on music that we've had in this so-called War on Terror. And it's very upsetting."

"These are our people," he added. "This could be me at a show, you at a show... It's a very recognizable situation. All our thoughts are with the Eagles of Death Metal fans."

In continuing his comments to the AP, Bono also praised the band for "being very graceful" despite going through "the most ugly nightmare."

"[The terrorists] took a lot of lives we're not going to get back, but they're not going to change the character of the city of Paris," he said.

The Irish rock star went on to encourage potential concertgoers to be brave about attending the show, likening them to...

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