U2 are back with their first piece of new music since their 2017 album Songs Of Experience.
The Irish quartet took to the stage for a surprise show in front of the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas on Saturday 16th September. During the show, the band played a brand new Vegas-themed song, “Atomic City”, and filmed a music video. The band, fronted by Bono, played through the song repeatedly in a downtown area of the Nevada city.
“Atomic City,” is the song, all about #VegasVille … A first look @U2#Vegas#RJNow@reviewjournalpic.twitter.com/OVkPyHNn65
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) September 17, 2023
“Atomic City” is set to be released before U2 embark on their upcoming residency at the new MSG Sphere in Las Vegas. The band are scheduled to start their shows at the Sphere, which will be the first shows ever played at the venue, on Friday 29th September.
The upcoming shows are titled “U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere”, and will see four-piece perform their 1991 album Achtung Baby in full.
Despite being present at the surprise Las Vegas show and music video recording, drummer Larry Mullen Jr is not performing with the band for the first few shows of the residency while he recovers from surgery.
In an interview with the Irish Mirror, bassist Adam Clayton said “The whole band and I’m sure the audience are going to be very sad and miss Larry. He wants to come back, he wants to be able to have a long career and continue his drumming so he’s taking care of those injuries.”
Clayton also explained that whilst the U2 drummer is recovering, Krezip drummer Bram van den Berg will be filling in throughout the first portion of the “U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere” tour. A decision the band came to together after having Larry Mullen Jr’s blessing.
In addition to the Las Vegas Residency tour, U2 have announced an immersive experience for fans ahead of their upcoming shows.
‘Zoo Station: A U2:UV Experience,’ the immersive fan portal, opens at The Venetian in Las Vegas on September 28.
Explore ‘Achtung Baby’ through interactive experiences – Zoo TV Cinema (curated by The Edge), the Anton Corbijn Gallery, limited-edition merchandise, VIP lounges,… pic.twitter.com/35GlOxw81n
— U2 (@U2) August 30, 2023
Opening on September 28th, “Zoo Station: A U2:UV Experience” is an immersive fan portal designed to help U2 fans to gain a deeper understanding of the Irish rocker’s 7th LP, 1991 acclaimed album Achtung Baby.
