The band spent time as Las Vegas residents between 2023 and 2024, but have not toured since 2019
Last March, the U2 concluded a season of shows as a resident at The Spherein Las Vegas, United States. The band performed 40 shows at the venue, the first string of live performances since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, fans who haven’t made a trip to Las Vegas haven’t had the chance to watch U2 since 2019, when the group wrapped up its most recent tour proper. So the question remains: how soon will the Irish group return to away games?
The answer came from someone who had distanced himself from the latest activities. The drummer Larry Mullen Jr.who did not participate in the season in Las Vegas for health reasons and was replaced by Bram van den Berg –, a resumption of tours is expected for 2026. In other words: it will take more than a year.
The revelation was made in an interview with Irish weather. Mullen Jr also left the audience intrigued by adding:
“I don’t think so [a próxima turnê] it will be what we normally do. I hope it’s something different. But I’m excited to be back in some capacity.”
Two years ago, al Washington Post (go Igor Miranda’s website), Larry Mullen Jr said he faced a number of physical dilemmas. For this reason he did not participate in the group’s last shows due to Good (voice), The edge (guitar) e Adam Clayton (Bass).
“I have pieces of me falling off: elbow, knee and neck. During the Covid pandemic, while we weren’t playing, I had the opportunity to look at some of these things. So I would like to take some time off, which I will use to recover.”
U2’s next steps
Since returning post-pandemic, the U2 he was a little less active than usual. All shows performed by the band since resumption have taken place in the same location: The Spherethe massive immersive arena in Las Vegas, United States. As for the releases, only the single “Your song saved my life” (2021), the album of revisitations Songs of surrender (2023) and the new 20th anniversary edition of How to dismantle an atomic bomb (2004) with songs from the recording sessions, aptly titled How to reassemble an atomic bomb (2024) – sounds like a lot, but there isn’t a lot of truly new material in this pie.
The situation, however, could be about to change. The guitarist The edge confirmed some news related to the group in an interview with BBC Radio 2 (go Music Radar).
Most notable is the fact that the band is working on new songs. The creations emerged together with none other than Brian Enolegendary producer with whom they recorded the albums The unforgettable fire (1984), The Joshua tree (1987), Achtung Baby (1991), Zooropa (1993), Original soundtracks 1 (1995, as Passengers), Everything you can’t leave behind (2000) e No lines on the horizon (2009).
As for the sound concept, Edge provided a curious description. The guitarist defined the material as “a crazy kind of sci-fi Irish folk music”.
Another good news for fans is the return of Larry Mullen Jr.. The drummer has recovered from his health problems and resumes his duties for new studio recordings. The Edge says:
“We put him in the studio. He’s fine, he’s taking it easy, but he’s back on the drums, he’s still recording with us, so we’ll do more before the end of the year. Good [vocalista] and I’m working on a crazy kind of sci-fi Irish folk song, which might end up being on the new U2 album, we’re not sure yet.”
The guitarist stresses that it’s part of the U2 process “go too far, go off track and then come back”. According to him, this is how you get a song “unique sound”.
U2 in Copacabana?
In another interview, Silvio Essinger for the newspaper The globeThe Edge was asked about rumors that U2 will hold a free concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, in 2025. The situation shouldn’t even be a rumor, as the mayor of Rio de Janeiro announced, Eduardo Peesbut since politicians can’t be trusted, it’s worth checking.
All in all: the guitarist didn’t even know it. At least that’s what he said. Given that the alleged presentation would take place in May, this should already be known. However, there isn’t a bad moment with Edge, as one would agree anyway.
“Wow, this is the first time I’ve heard of this, so… I don’t know! I have no idea if we could make it happen, but we would be flattered to be invited, because we love Rio, we love Brazil and it would be an amazing place!”
Even theThe globenew material was mentioned. According to the artist there is no deadline for the release, but the idea is, in fact, to return to the influences of traditional Irish music.
“From records like October (1981) e War (1983) that we did not really consider the Irish influence. Since then, we have gained an outside perspective and become more aware of the uniqueness of Irish music. Now it looks like there’s a new place to go. It could lead to a U2 album, a side project, like Passengers… We’re not thinking too much about where it will end up.”
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Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
