The Irreverent U2 Podcast: Kissing Lips and Breaking Hearts with the Garden Tarts

It’s Bono’s birthday week and we're celebrating with a round of favorite Bono stories, listener questions, and poll results from the show’s desert island album question. And of course, Questions for Bono over Whiskey and Cake™️

In this episode, Jenny and Hillary revisit unforgettable encounters with Bono from the 1990s and 2000s, including the first time they saw him in Dublin, a ride in his car, and a memorable backstage conversation in Miami. They also share on-stage moments from tours in Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Dublin, including one particularly funny glasses mishap that had them both cracking up mid-show.

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• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only, please) on APPLE ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kissing-lips-and-breaking-hearts-the-irreverent/id1478584991

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➡️ http://www.thegardentarts.com
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KISSING LIPS & BREAKING HEARTS: AN IRREVERENT U2 PODCAST is produced by us, The Garden Tarts. 
Production by: Jenny Steadman
Graphic design by: Hillary Frank
All music is by December

Welcome, fellow U2 fans and lovers of ridiculous adventures! Today, the Garden Tarts spill the secrets behind their decades-long friendship, their wild concert memories, and the surprising results of a poll about ditching one U2 album. If you've ever wondered how a chance meeting at a U2 conference or Bono's car phone could lead to this podcast, you're in for a treat.

How Jenny and Hillary's friendship started on a Prodigy board amidst antisemitic comments, evolving into a legendary concert friendship
Crazy early U2 meetups, including an unforgettable table encounter and the first time they met Bono together in DC
Memorable U2 tour moments: from the Elevation shows' chaos to Salt Lake City’s unique vibe and multiple Sphere concerts
Their non-tour U2 adventures: Bono book tours, Bono's speeches, and mutual visits to the Rock Hall
The epic fan poll: which U2 albums are on the chopping block, and how musical preferences turn into passionate debates
The surprising unpopularity of "Songs of Experience" and the wide range of album favorites
And of course, Questions for Bono over Whiskey and Cake™️

LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps people find the show.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only, please) on SPOTIFY ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/2zSuKUbHaQgsKFjEmyG8jo?si=8244b36bcc734ca8
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only, please) on APPLE ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kissing-lips-and-breaking-hearts-the-irreverent/id1478584991

WHERE TO FIND US:
➡️ http://www.thegardentarts.com
➡️ [email protected]
➡️ facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegardentarts
➡️ instagram: https://instagram.com/the_gardentarts
➡️ bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thegardentarts.bsky.social
➡️ https://thegardentarts.com/#subscribe to our newsletter
➡️ http://www.patreon.com/thegardentarts
➡️ http://buymeacoffee.com/thegardentarts

KISSING LIPS & BREAKING HEARTS: AN IRREVERENT U2 PODCAST is produced by us, The Garden Tarts. 
Production by: Jenny Steadman
Graphic design by: Hillary Frank
All music is by December

Grab your whiskey because we're diving into some nostalgic adventures—29 years ago, U2 rocked Vegas for the first PopMart show, and we were there, living the crazy bits of the fan experience we still cherish today. From ticket tales to band mishaps, and where the internet fit into our fandom evolution, this episode is packed with our cheeky remembrance and wild thoughts.

In this episode:
- Celebrating the 29th anniversary of U2's iconic PopMart Vegas debut
- Ticket hunting in the 90s and the chaos of Propaganda's seat assignments
- Our hilarious and heartfelt memories of the Vegas show and how it changed our lives
- Reflections on how access to band members and the internet's role has evolved
- And of course, Questions for Bono over Whiskey and Cake™️

Thanks for being part of the Garden Tart party—let's keep the adventures rolling!

NEVER LISTENED TO US BEFORE? CHECK OUT THIS STARTER KIT!
Who are the Garden Tarts, anyway? Listen to PLEASED TO MEET YOU
What are these Questions for Bono over Whiskey & Cake™️ all about? FIND OUT
Wait, there’s a third Garden Tart? MEET GARDEN TART AMANDA 
Sample our signature series, TART Talks

LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps people find the show.
➡️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only, please) on Spotify
➡️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only, please) on Apple Podcasts

WHERE TO FIND US:
www.thegardentarts.com
[email protected]
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
facebook: @thegardentarts
instagram: @the_gardentarts
bluesky: @thegardentarts

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KISSING LIPS & BREAKING HEARTS: AN IRREVENT U2 PODCAST is produced by us, The Garden Tarts LLC
Production by: Jenny Steadman
Graphic design by: Hillary Frank
All music is by December

Hold on tight, because Jenny and Hillary are back with another chaotic, hilarious, and deeply passionate chat about U2.

IN THIS EPISODE:
Update on the latest EP fever, song by song
The surprising poll results of favorite tracks
Questions for Bono over Whiskey and Cake™️
Trivia on U2's historic tour dates and memorable fan moments
The ongoing quest to decode Bono’s biblical quotes
The duo’s thoughts on classic albums versus modern releases
Random musings, including an ‘80s movie soundtrack tangent
Upcoming anniversary of their first Vegas pop show

RESOURCES & LINKS:
U2 Songs — A lifetime of U2 memorabilia and history
Pump Up The Volume Soundtrack — A nostalgic link to the soundtrack that shaped Jenny
Siouxsie and the Banshees — For spotting the post-punk inspiration
U2's Desire on U2X Radio — Where Hillary became part of a broadcast

Here’s to three decades of friendship, wild stories, and a love for all things U2. Stay cheeky, stay curious, and as always—keep breaking hearts, one song at a time.

LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps people find the show.
➡️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only, please) on Spotify
➡️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only, please) on Apple Podcasts

WHERE TO FIND US:
www.thegardentarts.com
[email protected]
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
facebook: @thegardentarts
instagram: @the_gardentarts

SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter
www.patreon.com/thegardentarts buymeacoffee.com/thegardentarts

KISSING LIPS & BREAKING HEARTS: AN IRREVENT U2 PODCAST is produced by us, The Garden Tarts LLC
Production by: Jenny Steadman
Graphic design by: Hillary Frank
All music is by December

Grab your whiskey and your best friend — because Jenny and Hillary are back to dish on the latest U2 release, with all the irreverent winks, cheeky insights, and wild stories from their three decades of friendship. No need for stats or scholarly takes — just two fans bringing passion and humor to the seriously fun side of U2 fandom.

Our initial reactions and how perceptions evolved over a few days
The emotional and spiritual themes of "Song for Hal," "In A Life," "Scars," "Resurrection Song," "Easter Parade" and "COEXIST"
The band's process, friendships, and studio magic — including Larry’s drumming and Edge's guitar techniques
Personal scars, faith, and how Bono’s lyrics weave pain and hope together
The humor, the quotes, and the wild theories about the song meanings
And of course, Questions for Bono over Whiskey and Cake™️

RESOURCES AND LINKS
Jackknife Lee’s Propaganda article – insight into the song creation process
U2 official website – for the latest on their music and interviews
"Song for Hal" tribute video – a heartfelt homage to Hal Willner
The Death and Resurrection Show by Dr. Rogan Taylor – explore the concept Bono references
Watch our reactions to first hearing the new songs

LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!
➡️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only, please) on Spotify
➡️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only, please) on Apple Podcasts

CONNCET:
www.thegardentarts.com
[email protected]
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
facebook: @thegardentarts
instagram: @the_gardentarts

SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter

KISSING LIPS & BREAKING HEARTS: AN IRREVENT U2 PODCAST is produced by us, The Garden Tarts LLC
Editing by: Jenny Steadman
Graphic design by: Hillary Frank
All music is by December