U2 Surprises Fans With a Brand-New Song Called “Atomic City”
U2 appeared in Las Vegas over the weekend with a very special surprise for fans. Just two weeks before their Las Vegas residency at the MSG Sphere, the band appeared to do a pop-up concert and music video shoot on the iconic Fremont Street. U2 performed their latest song called “Atomic City,” inspired by Las Vegas’ nickname in the 1950s when there was nuclear bomb testing nearby and people flocked to Vegas to get a glimpse while they gambled.
During the show, frontman Bono spoke about the song and how they had previously performed on Fremont Street for their music video “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking” in 1987. In honor of the nostalgia, the band also performed a stripped-down version of the song during the show. Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. was seen but it was confirmed that he will not be performing during the residency due to recovery from back surgery. Dutch drummer Bram van den Berg will be performing during those shows.
Bono said at the event, “The four of us recorded the song. Sadly, Larry Mullen Jr. won’t be with us at the Sphere. He doesn’t listen to doctor’s orders. Neither do many of us. But he is here tonight … Give it up for Larry Mullen Jr.!” He added that he hopes the pop-up concert will be momentum for their upcoming show and that fans are getting excited.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
U2’s Las Vegas residency will premiere very soon, on Sept. 29 and several other shows are scheduled through October. There will be some shows in December as well. U2 has not performed any live shows since 2019, so this is a big deal for the long-running band. If you’re interested in getting tickets for any of the shows, click here. Many of the upcoming shows are already sold out.
Oh What A Year: 1980
January 2020
Take a look back at our retrospect of the year 1980 where we celebrate the hottest in movies, music and TV.
Buy This Issue