Nov 14, 2015 at 3:40 pm

U2 Visits Bataclan After Paris Attacks, Bono Talks Canceled Show

Bono places flowers down on the pavement at a memorial near the Bataclan Theatre on Saturday night (November 14) in Paris, France.

The 55-year-old rocker was joined by his U2 bandmates to pay their respects near the site of the terrorist attack that took place the day before.

Bono opened that day in an Irish radio interview about the Paris terror attacks and to explain why the band had to cancel their HBO concert scheduled for tonight. The band was rehearsing just three miles away from the Bataclan concert venue on Friday when terrorists fired upon the audience at the Eagles of Death Metal show.

“Our security locked it down pretty quickly and we got our team and our crew out of there safely,” Bono said. “We came to the back door of the hotel. Everyone congregated and watched the TV like everybody else in disbelief with what was happening. We’re all safe.”

“Our first thoughts at this point are with the Eagles of Death Metal fans,” he said. “If you think about it, the majority of victims last night are music fans. This is the first direct hit on music that we’ve had in this so-called War on Terror or whatever it’s called. It’s very upsetting. These are our people. This could be me at a show. You at a show, in that venue. It’s a very recognizable situation for you and for me and the coldblooded aspect of this slaughter is deeply disturbing and that’s what I can’t get out of my head.”

When asked about the HBO concert, which has been postponed until further notice, Bono said, “we didn’t call it off. It was cancelled, honest, and I understand perfectly why … It’s up to the French authorities and the city to decide when we can go back.”