U2 leader Bono said in October 2022 that the band’s next project would be a “noisy, uncompromising, unreasonable guitar album,” even though they had nearly finished recording a different, ostensibly less-rocking album called Songs of Ascent. In a recent interview with Mojo magazine, Bono and bassist Adam Clayton provided an update on the hard-rocking record. According to the singer, The Edge, the guitarist, called him after he made those remarks to The New York Times and inquired about how outrageous he thought the new album would be. Bono answered, “As unreasonable as you’re ready to take it.” As he doesn’t believe that fans are waiting very long for a new record, Bono added that he wants the album to be especially inspired. He insisted, “I think we have to give them a reason to be interested in it.” “I just want to write amazing songs because that’s how U2 got their start—big choruses and distinct ideas.” And let’s return there, but this time, bring some gasoline and matches. Though Larry Mullen Jr., the band’s drummer, is still recovering from surgery that kept him out of the lineup for U2’s current run at the brand-new Sphere in Las Vegas, finishing the album might take some time.
Clayton told Mojo, “Working on new songs is kind of related to Larry’s situation.” Could he dedicate himself to a record project? I’m not sure. Member of the Dutch rock outfit Krezip, Bram Van den Berg, has been standing in for Mullen. Although Van den Berg has been performing admirably behind the kit, Bono stated that playing performances without Mullen has been “beyond the beyond of ‘tough.'” “That was our final performance without Larry, in the late 1970s,” Bono recalled to Mojo. “I believe a motorcycle clipped his foot, preventing him from performing. Eric Briggs was our drummer.” That wasn’t a good feeling, but Larry ran back, hopping behind the kit, and Eric was extremely attractive! However, Larry also contributes a psychic force, so it’s more than that. Mullen was featured on the most recent single from U2, “Atomic City,” which was made available this past September to coincide with the start of the Vegas residency.
Regarding the song, Bono remarked, “We recorded it [at the Los Angeles studio] Sound City at Edge’s suggestion.” “Larry was ecstatic to play there and wanted to test his mettle. Over the following few days, he performed for considerably longer than he had anticipated. Mullen was also involved in the video filming for the song, which shows U2 playing the song live on a stage in downtown Las Vegas. I believe it’s evident from the video that he is experiencing back pain,” said Bono. On December 1, U2 will resume their U2:UV Achtung Baby Live residency at Sphere. In addition to an 11-date tour that runs from January 26 to February 18, 2024, the band has seven gigs booked for that month. Van den Berg is anticipated to accompany U2 onstage for every planned show, serving as their drummer. Visit U2.com to view the band’s entire schedule.
