U2 Returns To Its Dublin School For Surprise 50th Anniversary Concert

Fifty years after the musicians who became U2 first gathered in Larry Mullen Jr.’s kitchen, the band returned to the Dublin school that brought them together. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Mullen played a surprise concert for students and staff at Mount Temple Comprehensive School earlier today (Friday, September 25).

Mullen had posted a notice at Mount Temple seeking musicians before that first meeting on September 25, 1976. The band marked the anniversary with a short set that reached back to its beginnings and included the live debut of “Silencio,” the single U2 released Thursday.

U2 opened with “I Will Follow” and later played “Out of Control,” both from their 1980 debut album, Boy. The former hadn’t been played since 2019, while the latter last made a setlist in 2018. “Vertigo” and “Beautiful Day” preceded “Out of Control,” while “One,” performed with students from Music Generation, followed “Silencio.” The band returned for an encore of “With or Without You.”

Thursday also brought the announcement of Carnaval De Luz, U2’s first full-length studio album of new material in nine years. The record arrives November 13. Read more about the album and its Dolly Parton collaboration.

Watch fan-shot footage of “I Will Follow,” “Out of Control,” the live debut of “Silencio” and “One” below: