U2’s Bono says he may never play guitar again after bike crash, but jokes about it

He sometimes plays rhythm guitar. Probably more for show, the way that rock bands in the 60s used to have people playing tambourines on stage. He also mentions that he likes to play the guitar while writing songs, even if the Edge does most of the music writing and Bono focuses on writing lyrics (and vocal melodies).

I haven’t heard their recent album(s), but I still like U2. Better than a lot of the modern pop/R&B/alt rock/electronica that’s around these days. People still like the Rolling Stones concerts and they are far older than U2 is. (I’ve never been to any of the Rolling Stones concerts. I like some of their songs, but I’m not a huge fan of theirs.)

Why exactly?

I haven’t heard their recent albums, although I did notice that the last album I heard (from a decade ago?) was a little more subdued than their earlier stuff. So? Most musicians and bands seem to slow a bit, creatively, as they age. Or they break up early (like the Beatles) or they get themselves killed at a young age (like so many rock and rap stars). But most people still like to hear them perform live (the ones who are still living). I’d see U2, except that I don’t like the big stadium concerts these days. If they ever played at someplace like the Birchmere (which probably won’t happen), I’d definitely go.

I see other older groups and performers at places like that, and most of the audience enjoys the shows. Call it nostalgia or whatever. But there’s a lot of “music” I see on TV and YouTube, and I don’t get it at all, even when I try to imagine if I would like it if I had heard it as a teenager. New music isn’t necessarily great just because it’s new. At the same time, it can be entertaining to watch older groups and singers who used to be superstars but are now playing in smaller venues, where you can sit up close and chat with them after the show.