U2's Resurgence: Guthrie Prize, Activism, and New Music on the Horizon

The band U2 BioSnap a weekly updated Biography. U2 has taken the spotlight in recent days with a flurry of major headlines and significant biographical moments After a period of relative quiet the band has returned to the center of music and activism coverage Bono and The Edge were in Tulsa Oklahoma on October 21 to accept the 2025 Woody Guthrie Prize on behalf of U2 The prize recognizes artists who use their platforms to inspire social change and justice and U2 was singled out for more than four decades of advocacy As reported by multiple outlets including the band’s own website Anna Canoni Guthrie’s granddaughter called Bono and The Edge “aligned for decades” with Woody Guthrie’s ideals Both musicians took the stage in Cain’s Ballroom—where U2 last played in 1981—to deliver a six-song acoustic set that included Sunday Bloody Sunday One Pride in the Name of Love and Running to Stand Still woven in with Guthrie and Dylan references The set and their discussion with producer T Bone Burnett were described as a highlight for Tulsa’s cultural calendar with The Journal Record and uDiscoverMusic calling the evening “full of meaning community and connection” Bono delivered a remarkably candid reading of lyrics from a new song reportedly titled One Life at a Time Inspired by the July 2025 death of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen Bono reflected on grief and justice in lines like One father shot three children crying If there is no law is there no crime If there is no hope Whats there to rhyme History is written one life at a time The anticipation for new U2 music just hit a fever pitch with this first taste of content from ongoing sessions At the event Bono and The Edge talked about the influence of Bob Dylan on their activism and music and reinforced that their best protest songs come from genuine emotional urgency not calculation The Edge remarked our favorite protest songs always have a sense of vision…you dont talk about the darkness you make the light brighter U2’s activism also took center stage on social media where clips from the Cain’s Ballroom performance and Bono reading the new lyrics have gone viral earning praise for their outspoken humanitarian voice In a separate pulse point for the group Bono updated fans on drummer Larry Mullen Jr’s recovery from neck surgery Mullen returned to the studio with the band this year and even made an emotional surprise appearance at the Ivor Novello Awards in May drumming on the body of an acoustic guitar during Angel of Harlem Mullen admits being back with the band is extraordinary even if he’s still recovering There were also business notes Adam Clayton will have 18 personal bass guitars exhibited and auctioned in Ireland a TV documentary he presented on Irish showbands is set for international release and a visual chronicle U2 In Camera 1991-1997 was made public For fans of band history October 2025 will be remembered as a rare confluence of artistic revival awards activism and a tantalizing preview This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.