On the band's 50th anniversary, U2 gave a surprise performance at the place where it all started: Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, Ireland.

U2 performed a special seven-song set (per Setlist.fm) that began with the band's opening song from their debut album Boy, “I Will Follow.” Of course, they also played “Out of Control,” which is from the band's debut EP, Three, and album, Boy, later in the set.

U2 have returned to their former school in Dublin for a surprise performance marking 50 years since the band first came together.

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Some of the band's other greatest hits, such as “Beautiful Day” and “With or Without You,” were performed. “One” was played in a special arrangement with students from Mount Temple.

U2 played a surprise gig at Mount Temple in Dublin to mark 50 years since the band formed there.

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen performed for around 1,000 students in the school yard. https://t.co/fZYcS04J5L pic.twitter.com/Cs8YDk3EFh

— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) September 25, 2026

Additionally, they performed “Silencio,” the second single from U2's upcoming Carnaval De Luz album, for the first time ever a day after its release.

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It was indeed a beautiful day in Dublin for U2 fans. The band went all out to celebrate their 50th anniversary. It is the first time all four members have played together since filming the “Street of Dreams” music video in Mexico City in May.

U2 has gone all out to celebrate their 50th anniversary

U2 members Larry Mullen Jr, who made his return to the stage from his health issues and after his recovery from injury, with Bono, and Adam Clayton on the Joshua Tree Tour in 2017.
NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK.

2026 has been a big year for U2 fans. The band surprised everyone by dropping a politically charged EP, Days of Ash, in February. Not even two months later, they dropped another, Easter Lily, on Apr. 3.

To close out the year, their 16th album, Carnaval De Luz, will be released on Nov. 13. It is the band's first album of new material in almost nine years. Two singles have come out so far. “Street of Dreams” was released in July, and “Silencio” was released on Sep. 24.

A new album also means a new tour is likely on the horizon. Luckily, it appears Mullen, who missed the band's Sphere residency in 2023 and 2024 while recovering from various injuries, is back in full force.