Bono and Imelda May Bring Festive Cheer to Dublin with Christmas Eve Busking Performance
A beloved annual tradition continued in Dublin this Christmas Eve as U2 frontman Bono joined forces with singer Imelda May for a special performance of Darlene Love’s classic, ‘Christmas (baby Please Come Home)’. The event, held on Grafton Street, aimed to raise vital funds for the Dublin Simon Community, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals at risk of homelessness in Ireland.
For 15 years, this Christmas Eve busking gig has become a cornerstone of the holiday season in Dublin, drawing large crowds and fostering a spirit of generosity. This year’s event saw hundreds gather outside the Gaiety Theatre to enjoy performances from a diverse lineup of Irish musical talent.
Among those taking to the streets where Oscar-winning singer-songwriter and event organizer Glen Hansard, and also Danny O’Donoghue of The Script. Bono and May’s duet of the 1963 festive staple proved to be a particular highlight, captivating the audience with their combined vocal prowess. The night concluded with a moving rendition of The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s ‘Fairytale Of New York’, during which May extended birthday wishes to Shane MacGowan.
Watch Bono and May sing ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOUR_YOUTUBE_LINK_HERE
The tradition boasts a rich history of notable performances. In previous years, Bono himself performed ‘Running to Stand Still’ from U2’s iconic album The Joshua Tree, while the late Shane MacGowan delivered a rendition of ‘Dirty old Town’ and Hozier played his hit song ‘Take Me To Church’.
this year’s charitable efforts follow a period of recognition for Bono and U2’s broader commitment to social justice. Earlier in the year, the band was awarded the Woody Guthrie Prize – a recognition of their advocacy for the voiceless and their use of their platform to address global issues.
Bono has also been publicly recognized for his advocacy work, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest civilian honor in the US – after sharing his perspectives on achieving freedom in an op-ed for The Atlantic. Looking ahead, the singer has expressed optimism about the future of U2, revealing that the band has “25 great songs for a new album.”
Simultaneously occurring, Imelda May is also enjoying a busy festive season, appearing as a guest on Jools Holland’s ‘Hootenanny’ – a New Year’s Eve music show – alongside musical luminaries such as Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, Olivia Dean, Lulu, Jessie J, Craig David, Heather Small, The Kooks, Joe Webb, David Hermlin, and Ruby Turner.
The annual Christmas Eve busking event serves as a powerful reminder of the unifying force of music and the importance of community support, notably during the holiday season.
