So who is top of the pops?

Name the best working band or singer in the world today: that was the simple question we put to scores of musicians. They chose legends, cult heroes - and Hugh Jackman

Danny O'Donoghue of the Script on U2

I saw Coldplay at Christmas, and they were magical. But I'm frightened for Coldplay, because for years they've been seen as taking the crown from U2, and to see this huge industry beast that is U2 just now arising from its slumber ... Now I'm seeing from the industry side what a band like that awakens in people. Everybody ups their game because U2's back on the scene: the shit bands are shaking in their boots, and the good bands are like, "Bring it on!" Everybody from merchandising people to songwriters to A&R men, they love U2: it's like U2 are most people's reason why they got into the industry. You can't plan a career like U2's: it's luck mixed with emotion mixed with honesty mixed with everything - the stars just aligned for a band to be that successful. They walk through the industry with their heads held high, they treat everybody with absolute respect, from the tallest in the record company to the smallest. And that's what makes U2 a great band. There are a lot of lead singers who would almost take the Bono formula, and who'd say, "What you have to do is, you've got to go over to Africa, and you have to care about this and care about that, and then if I'm seen holding a baby from an orphanage I'll achieve that same stature and fame." They're trying to think about it - Bono just does it. The other lads in the band dislike the fact he's so open about it, but I think people buy into that honesty - that he's ready to hold a peace sign up while he's standing there with George Bush, that he's willing to wedge himself into these situations for the publicity of people who have no voice. And it's such a commendable thing, especially in today's day and age, when everybody's so fickle. A lot of new artists don't realise the great ones do it through honesty, through following their hearts, not following trends.

Source: The Guardian / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net