U2

Fifty years ago, four Dublin teenagers plugged in for the first time in Larry Mullen Jr.’s kitchen. Now U2 is weeks away from its first album of new songs in nine years. On Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio, The Edge’s chiming guitar and Bono’s big-sky choruses are always in rotation.

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What’s new with U2

• A new album. Carnaval de Luz, produced by Jacknife Lee, is due November 13, 2026, U2’s first album of new songs in nine years.
• Dolly Parton’s final vocal. The closing track, “Torn,” features Dolly Parton, who died in August 2026. It’s her last recorded performance.
• Two surprise EPs. Days of Ash arrived in February 2026 and Easter Lily on Good Friday in April.
• Fifty years. The band first played together on September 25, 1976.

Station picks: the U2 songs to start with

Our five essentials:

1. With or Without You (1987). The Edge’s endless sustain and Bono at his most yearning.
2. Where the Streets Have No Name (1987). That intro is the most thrilling build in arena rock.
3. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (1987). Gospel-tinged and impossible not to sing.
4. One (1991). The song that saved the band, and still its most moving.
5. Sunday Bloody Sunday (1983). Larry’s military drums and a protest song with a heartbeat.

Three deep cuts worth your time:

1. Bad (1984). The slow-building Unforgettable Fire epic that stole the show at Live Aid.
2. Running to Stand Still (1987). A quiet, devastating Joshua Tree track.
3. Acrobat (1991). A dark, twisting Achtung Baby rocker they finally played live at Sphere.

If you like U2, try

• Pearl Jam: big-hearted rock with a conscience
• Bruce Springsteen: another arena-sized storyteller
• Queen: masters of the stadium singalong
• Simple Minds: fellow ’80s anthem makers

U2 on tour

No dates are announced. Adam Clayton has said the band plans to tour behind the new album, but no dates or year are set. Their last live run was the U2:UV residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, which ended in March 2024. For legends on the road now, see our Classic Rock Concerts & Tours 2026–2027 guide.

U2 quick facts

• Formed: 1976, Dublin, Ireland
• Members: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.
• Signature albums: War (1983), The Unforgettable Fire (1984), The Joshua Tree (1987), Achtung Baby (1991), All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000)
• Coming up: Carnaval de Luz, November 13, 2026
• Honors: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 2005
• Official site: u2.com

U2 FAQ

When is U2’s new album out?
Carnaval de Luz is due November 13, 2026.

Is U2 touring?
Not yet. The band plans to tour behind the new album, but no dates are announced.

Where can I hear U2?
On Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio, free and live 24/7 on the web and in our iPhone and Android apps. Want a favorite? Request it here.

Sources: Rolling Stone Canada, Best Classic Bands, NME. Last verified October 12, 2026.