U2's Unforgettable Week: Woody Guthrie Prize, Acoustic Set, and Mullen's Return

The band U2 BioSnap a weekly updated Biography. Over the past week U2 has seized headlines with a wave of activity marking both their musical achievements and activist legacy. The centerpiece was Bono and The Edge accepting the 2025 Woody Guthrie Prize in Tulsa at Cain's Ballroom in a sold-out and star-studded event reported by The Oklahoman and echoed by KOSU. This honor underscores U2's four-decade commitment to music as a force for social change. In the words of Woody Guthrie Center’s senior director Cady Shaw U2 “embodies the mission of the Woody Guthrie Prize using music to confront injustice and inspire action.” The Oklahoma Irish Caucus praised their ability to bridge divides with music according to WJBR. The award ceremony quickly became the talk of Tulsa. After the official presentation Bono and The Edge surprised the crowd with an intimate 45-minute acoustic set performing classics like One Sunday Bloody Sunday Running to Stand Still and Pride In the Name of Love plus covers of Woody Guthrie’s Jesus Christ and Bound for Glory as chronicled by NME and The Journal Record. Their performance revived memories of their first US tour stop at this same venue in 1981 with both stars reminiscing about being too young to drink and now returning as international icons. Woody Guthrie’s granddaughter Anna Canoni introduced them and T-Bone Burnett led a probing conversation about their art activism and roots in protest music. Bob Dylan’s influence was acknowledged by Bono as pivotal in bringing him to Guthrie’s world while The Edge reflected on music’s power to literally “shift a culture” detailed by ABC Audio. The event also saw Bono preview new lyrics from a work in progress titled One Life at a Time—a stark reflection on the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen this summer. Sharing those words fueled speculation about the content and direction of the next U2 album, with B1027 reporting fresh studio activity including Larry Mullen Jr’s return to recording. Bono updated fans about Mullen’s health and praised his comeback at the Ivor Novello Awards in London where Mullen played with U2 for the first time in five years. Mullen himself told the BBC about the struggle to return after surgery but expressed joy at being back in the studio even if not “100 percent.” Social media has been abuzz with clips from the Woody Guthrie Prize ceremony fan tributes to Mullen’s onstage return and debates over Bono’s intensely forthright comments on the Gaza conflict. Bono’s condemnation of Israeli policy stirred engagement across platforms as reported by NME. Meanwhile Clannad issued a 40th-anniversary remaster of Macalla featuring Bono on In a Lifetime as announced by u2songs. In summary U2’s week has been a tapestry of accolades activism creative renewal and public engagement that both honors their legacy and points toward bold new chapters. Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.