Over the years, U2 ax man The Edge has landed near the top of the heap of any and all 'greatest guitarist' lists that could be waved about, and fans will be happy to know that he's not planning on putting down his instrument any time soon.
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Leading up to the release of U2's forthcoming Songs Of Surrender album on St. Patrick's Day, March 17 -- a reimagining and re-recording of 40 classic tracks from the band's storied career -- frontman Bono stated that the band members had caught a "progressive rock virus," revealing that the group had an AC/DC-like, "noisy, uncompromising, unreasonable guitar album" that they would like to offer up to fans at some point.
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Speaking with the U.K.'s The Telegraph this week, guitarist The Edge admitted that, actually, he was unsure if U2 would ever turn into anything like AC/DC, but he would certainly "still be trying to find ways to use [his] instrument that are new and unfamiliar." The Edge adds he is, "absolutely convinced that the guitar is going to be front and center within mainstream music culture in a year or two, and I want to be part of that revival."
"I feel like the guitar as an instrument," he continues, "not in terms of being loved and played by so many musicians around the world, both professional and amateur, but in terms of its presence in the streaming music charts, it’s been in the wilderness for a little while. I feel myself that there’s a resurgence of interest in guitar. I sort of feel it instinctually. It’s starting to percolate up. I feel the timing is right. I think it would be wonderful and very welcome for us to make some music that is more driven by guitar. That is the intention. That isn’t to say we are turning into AC/DC, but we will find a way to use the instrument in a fresh way as much as possible. It’s still my first love for me as an instrument."
Creating the new, low-key revamps of classic tracks on the band's upcoming Songs Of Surrender "was a very joyful process," says The Edge elsewhere in the interview. "We gave ourselves permission to disregard any sense of reverence for the originals," he adds. "What I learnt was that the best songs are kind of indestructible.“
U2 also revealed at the end of 2022 they will be celebrating their 1991 hit album Achtung Baby this year with a Vegas residency, while drummer, Larry Mullen Jr. plans to take time away to undergo and recuperate from surgery. For the residency, U2 will welcome Bram van den Berg in his place.
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