MUSIC – U2 mark 50th anniversary with “Carnaval de Luz”

DUBLIN, 25 September /ATSH-AFP/ – Irish rock legends U2 have revealed the title of their 15th studio album, “Carnaval de Luz”, as they mark the 50th anniversary of the band’s founding, frontman Bono confirmed on an Irish Times podcast, ending months of speculation about the new musical project.

The album is expected to open a new chapter in the band’s history, which remains one of the most famous names in international rock.

U2’s anniversary is tied to 25 September 1976, when Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. gathered for the first time in the drummer’s kitchen in Dublin.

Five decades later, the moment will be commemorated with various activities in the Irish capital, including the fan-organized “U250” event.

The Central Bank of Ireland will also issue a new two-euro coin in honor of the anniversary.

During the podcast, Bono revealed the album title with a dose of humor.

“I can’t say it. I will say it,” he said.

He then confirmed the album is called “Carnaval de Luz” and described the material as powerful.

The singer stressed that the desire to reach perfection and the joy of creating together continue to motivate the band.

For U2, music remains an ongoing process of exploration, even after fifty years of career.

The band’s history began with four teenagers who in their early days could barely play their instruments.

After a weak reception of their second album, “October”, U2 faced the risk of losing their record deal.

Yet the band managed to develop a distinctive style and produce some of the most important hits of the 1980s and 1990s.

U2 have sold around 175 million albums and have more than 23 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

“Carnaval de Luz” will be U2’s first new album since “Songs of Experience”, released in 2017.

The project follows the release of new material this year, including the song “Street of Dreams”, released in July.

The new album is expected to show whether the band will keep experimenting with new sounds and approaches, a tendency that has accompanied some of the most important periods of its creativity.

U2’s contribution to Irish music is also tied to Dublin’s Windmill Lane recording studios, where the band recorded its debut album “Boy” and the two follow-ups.