The Irish rock band U2 returned today to the site of their origins in Dublin, performing surprise concerts to celebrate their 50th anniversary, including at the school where the musicians met.
© Hector Vivas/Getty Images for U2
26/09/2026
by
Lusa
Ou2, composed by Bono as lead vocalist, The Edge on guitar and keyboards, Adam Clayton on bass and Larry Mullen Jr. in the drums, they performed, in particular, at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, before hundreds of students and teachers.
The fans of the band filled the centre of Dublin after circulating the rumor of a surprise concert at Bewley’s Oriental Café, one of the main routes in the city, where more than a thousand people sang “Happy Birthday U2”.
The crowd went delirious when the band appeared on the balcony of the famous café, playing for an hour.
The repertoire began with the success of the 1980s “I Will Follow”, but also included classics such as “With or Without You” and “Out of Control”.
The U2 also played their new single, “Silencio”, track from the album “Carnaval de Luz”, announced before the 50th anniversary.
The album, released November 13, includes a duet between U2 leader Bono and country music star Dolly Parton, who died last month in the United States.
“It was amazing to be there,” said Kathrin Schanz, 50, a fan who traveled from Germany to the Irish capital to accompany the celebrations of the band’s 50 years.
U2 members performed their first rehearsal on September 25, 1976 and released their debut album four years later, becoming one of the most important rock bands of the 1980s and 1990s.