U2 Hints at New Music, Reflects on Legacy at Woody Guthrie prize Ceremony
The iconic Irish band U2 offered a glimpse into their future and a nostalgic look at their past on October 21st, performing a six-song set and unveiling lyrics from an upcoming song during a ceremony honoring them with the Woody Guthrie Prize in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The woody Guthrie Prize, awarded annually, recognizes artists who champion the spirit of the legendary folk singer by using their platform to advocate for the marginalized and drive social change through art. Past recipients include luminaries like Pete Seeger, Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, and bruce Springsteen, with tom Morello set to be honored in 2024.
During the event at Cain’s Ballroom, Bono and The Edge performed a selection of U2 classics, including “Running To Stand Still,” “Mothers of the Disappeared,” “sunday Bloody Sunday,” “One,” “Pride (In the Name of Love),” and “Yahweh.” The duo also paid tribute to both Guthrie and The Beatles, performing a cover of Guthrie’s “Jesus Christ” and reciting a capella lines from “A Hard Day’s Night” while accepting the award.
The evening also featured a discussion with producer T Bone Burnett, where Bono reflected on the influence of Bob dylan and Guthrie. “Bob Dylan really did bring us to the place where the song was an instrument to open up worlds,” Bono stated. He further added, “America is the greatest song still yet to be written. The poetry is there but it’s still being written… don’t imagine it will continue to be remarkable on its own, that if you fell asleep and woke up in 20 years, the world would be fairer or freer. It won’t. That’s not the way it works.”
The Edge echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the power of vision in protest music. “Our favorite protest songs always had a sense of vision, something to aim for,” he said. “You don’t talk about the darkness – you make the light brighter.”
Perhaps the most significant moment of the evening came when bono shared lyrics from an unfinished song inspired by the life of the late Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen. The poignant verses, recited during the discussion, offered a stark and emotional portrayal of loss and injustice: “one father shot / three children crying / if there is no law / is there no crime / if there is no hope / what’s there to rhyme / history is written / one life at a time.”
This marked the first concrete indication of new material from U2 since the release of songs of Experience in 2017, though a release date for their next album remains unannounced.
The performance held particular importance as U2 hadn’t played Cain’s Ballroom as April 14, 1988, a venue steeped in musical history having hosted Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and many others. The band’s return to the intimate venue, known for its connection to the Dust Bowl era and Guthrie’s own performances, underscored their commitment to the prize’s values.
Why was U2 honored with the Woody Guthrie Prize? The band received the award for their decades-long commitment to social justice and human rights advocacy, consistently using their music and platform to raise awareness about issues like poverty, conflict, and inequality. their lyrics often address political and social themes,aligning with Guthrie’s tradition of protest songs. Who presented the award? The Woody Guthrie center presented the award to Bono and The Edge. What happened at the ceremony? U2 performed a six-song set, recited lyrics from a new song, and participated in a discussion about the power of music in social change. How did it end? The event concluded with U2’s performance and reflections on their artistic journey and commitment to Guthrie’s legacy, leaving fans anticipating the release of their new music.
