Bono says U2 on 'edge of irrelevance'

Despite being considered one of the biggest bands in the world, it was a contemplative Bono and the Edge at Friday’s press event. Flanked by Davis Guggenheim, the director of From The Sky Down, the opening night documentary looking at the making of "Achtung Baby", and hosted by Thom Powers, the documentary programmer for the festival, who also took questions submitted by Twitter.

What was most striking is that while the theme of the documentary was about the band’s struggle for reinvention 20 years ago, Bono said that they are basically at the same place now. 

“U2 has been on the verge of irrelevance for the past 20 years," Bono said. "We made some great work, I hope, along the way, and on occasion, faux pas. But this moment now, where we're at, for me, feels like really close to the edge of irrelevance. And we can be successful, we can play the big music in big places, but whether we can play the small places — the small speakers, the radio, clubs, or where people are living, remains to be seen. And I think we have to go to that place again if we are to survive." Interesting words from a musician who really has done it all, and makes us even more curious about what comes next.

-Raju Mudhar