In the early days of U2, David Letterman was a fan. The iconic late-night talk show host invited the Irish rockers to perform on his show multiple times and even introduced them as “the greatest band in the world.” Decades later, Bono and The Edge returned to the Late Show with David Letterman, but this time it was different. It was an intimate performance, just the two musicians and Letterman, who was as cantankerous as ever. A Sort of Homecoming, which aired on Netflix in 2019, was a revelation as the two musicians stripped down their songs and went back to their roots. It was a poignant reminder of U2’s incredible legacy and an opportunity for fans to see a different side of the band. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at A Sort of Homecoming and explore why it’s worth watching for both die-hard U2 fans and newcomers alike.
In 1992, U2 sent four lookalikes to perform in their place on Irish television show Kenny Live, famously pranking their audience and themselves. Though such situational pranks are a thing of the past, their love for their hometown, Dublin, remains central to their identity as a band. The documentary Bono & the Edge: A Sort of Home Coming, With David Letterman, streaming on Disney+, explores their roots and how their activism and art drew from the city that created them.
Dublin of the 1980s was not just a sleepy capital city, it was a place that struggled with a devastating economic downturn and high emigration rates. Yet, U2 stayed in Dublin during this time of crisis, providing a steady hand and a beacon of hope for their fellow citizens. Their music often dealt with political struggles, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Bloody Sunday, but their identity as a band was deeply intertwined with their love of Dublin.
The documentary’s director, Morgan Neville, who won an Oscar for his documentary 20 Feet From Stardom, delivers an unfussy tribute to Bono and the Edge and their beloved hometown. The film mixes interviews with the band members, archival live footage, and scenic shots of Dublin’s rainy, noirish streets. Throughout the documentary, Bono’s pomposity, which he is often associated with, is put to one side, and he appears to be in on the joke, much as he was when he pranked Pat Kenny 30 years ago.
The Edge and Bono sit down with David Letterman and give him a tour of Dublin landmarks such as Marsh’s Library and Panti Bliss. While Bono’s activism creates some tension within the group, The Edge is amused, and they acknowledge each other’s idiosyncrasies. He explains that their staying in Dublin is down to their desire to stay connected to their local community and that their friends are still their old friends. U2 has been protected from the worst excesses of rock ‘n’ roll stardom by being in the city that made them.
A Sort of Homecoming arrives alongside a new album featuring acoustic and string-laden reworkings of U2’s classic hits. Still, live footage filmed at the Ambassador suggests that the old versions of these tracks, many now iconic, were perfectly fine as they were.
Perhaps what shines through most in A Sort of Homecoming is the love and pride U2 has for their hometown of Dublin, which served as a backdrop, inspiration, and protector for them throughout their careers. Their decision to stay in Dublin may have seemed unusual in the 1980s, but it allowed them to give back to their community while remaining true to their values and musical identity.
In conclusion, A Sort of Homecoming was a true delight for fans of U2, David Letterman, and late-night television in general. Bono and The Edge reminded us just how talented they are, not just as musicians, but as storytellers and charismatic personalities. And who would have thought that David Letterman’s cantankerousness would pair so well with Bono’s quick wit and humor? Watching them interact was like witnessing two old friends catching up, but with the added bonus of killer music performances. A Sort of Homecoming was a love letter to U2 fans and a testament to the enduring power of great music and great television. We can only hope that Bono and The Edge will continue to surprise and delight us with their creative endeavors in the future.
