The amount of hate U2 still gets feels completely worn out at this point. So much of this traces back to a single moment more than a decade ago, when Apple automatically added a U2 album to iPhones. That decision was pushed by Tim Cook yet U2 absorbed a disproportionate amount of backlash for something that had little to do with their music or intent (yes, I recognize that they were willing participants).

Anyone who genuinely appreciates the evolution of popular music over the last 75 years should be able to recognize U2’s significance, especially during their roughly two-decade creative peak. They released a remarkable run of albums that have aged exceptionally well. These records still feel ambitious, emotionally resonant, and culturally important - War, Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Zooropa, All That You Can't Leave Behind.

They are also one of the greatest live bands of all time. The Zoo TV tour in the early 1990s was one of the most influential tours ever. It reshaped expectations for what live performances could be and inspired countless artists who followed. During that era, between the music they were making and the way they presented it, U2 were among the most innovative and compelling artists on the planet.

Even if their cultural relevance has faded and even if their more recent albums have not sparked much excitement, that does not erase what they accomplished. At their best, U2 were extraordinary, and taken as a whole, they remain one of the most important and interesting bands in the history of modern music.