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AS BONO AND the boys prepare for their long awaited Glastonbury debut on the main stage tonight it appears not everyone will welcome U2′s appearance at the world famous music festival.
Having cancelled their performance last year due to Bono’s dodgy back, one of the world’s biggest bands are the main act tonight for the first of three nights of music at Glastonbury.
But their appearance could be marred by protests from an anti-capitalist group which claims U2 dodges tax. Ahead of tonight’s performance, the group Art Uncut says it will unfurl banners and placards in front of TV cameras declaring “Bono tax dodger” and “Bono pay up”.
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A member of the group, an offshoot of UK Uncut, Charlie Dewar said frontman Bono “is well known for his anti-poverty campaigning,” but has avoided paying Irish taxes at a time the country needs it most.
Bono, guitarist The Edge and U2′s other members — bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen — are among Ireland’s wealthiest residents. In 2006 the band moved its corporate base from Ireland to the Netherlands, where royalties on music incur virtually no tax.
A spokesperson for the Art Uncut group previously said that any0ne watching the performance “will be very much aware that Bono needs to pay up.”
U2 did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.
Wednesday 15 January, 2025
Wednesday 15 January, 2025
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U2 preparing for Glasto debut but so are the protesters
AS BONO AND the boys prepare for their long awaited Glastonbury debut on the main stage tonight it appears not everyone will welcome U2′s appearance at the world famous music festival.
Having cancelled their performance last year due to Bono’s dodgy back, one of the world’s biggest bands are the main act tonight for the first of three nights of music at Glastonbury.
But their appearance could be marred by protests from an anti-capitalist group which claims U2 dodges tax. Ahead of tonight’s performance, the group Art Uncut says it will unfurl banners and placards in front of TV cameras declaring “Bono tax dodger” and “Bono pay up”.
A member of the group, an offshoot of UK Uncut, Charlie Dewar said frontman Bono “is well known for his anti-poverty campaigning,” but has avoided paying Irish taxes at a time the country needs it most.
Bono, guitarist The Edge and U2′s other members — bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen — are among Ireland’s wealthiest residents. In 2006 the band moved its corporate base from Ireland to the Netherlands, where royalties on music incur virtually no tax.
A spokesperson for the Art Uncut group previously said that any0ne watching the performance “will be very much aware that Bono needs to pay up.”
U2 did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.
- additional reporting from AP
Gallery: Day One at Glastonbury… and it’s already a mudbath >
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