U2 reunite with Brian Eno to launch ‘Carnaval De Luz’ at intimate London gig at The Modern for the BBC

U2 reunited with longtime collaborator Brian Eno for an exclusive London performance to introduce tracks from their upcoming album, Carnaval De Luz. The band staged the intimate concert in the undercroft of the Tate Modern, a space known as The South Tank, on November 3, hosting a select audience that included notable figures and emerging creatives.

The event coincided with the band’s 50th anniversary celebrations and featured a setlist blending new material with classic songs. Attendees ranged from musicians like Noel Gallagher to cultural figures including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and film director Richard Curtis, alongside students from prestigious art colleges and winners of a BBC Radio 2 ballot.

Set against a 360-degree visual installation created by Brian Eno titled ‘77 Million Paintings,’ the performance began with a pre-recorded intro of “Zooropa” before the band launched into “The Unforgettable Fire,” marking its first live rendition since 2018. The show continued with iconic tracks such as “Bad,” featuring Bono incorporating lyrics from The Rolling Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday,” echoing their historic 1985 Live Aid performance.

The concert showcased new songs from Carnaval De Luz, including the energetic “Can’t Stop Us Now,” which Bono and The Edge shared vocal duties on. This rock-driven track signals the band’s return to fresh material after their 2017 album, Songs of Experience. They also debuted “The Greatest Show On Earth,” a sweeping new single adding to the album’s narrative.

In addition to the Carnaval De Luz tracks, U2 performed “COEXIST (I Will Bless The Lord At All Times?),” a song from their recent Easter Lily EP also produced by Eno, underlining the ongoing creative partnership between the band and producer.

The venue’s choice was significant, with Bono remarking on the Tate Modern’s artistic legacy, particularly the work of Louise Bourgeois, whose giant spider sculpture was the first installation in the space when it opened in 2000. Bono shared a personal anecdote about visiting Bourgeois, linking the experience to a spontaneous performance of “Amazing Grace,” highlighting the band's deep connections to visual art.

The setlist further included emblematic anthems like “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” and “One,” closing with “Beautiful Day,” where Bono rallied the crowd to stand and join the communal energy. The finale featured “With Or Without You,” with Eno joining onstage and the audience chanting in appreciation of his musical impact.

The concert will be broadcast on BBC Two later in November as part of a dedicated night of programming focused on U2. Additional broadcasts are scheduled on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on November 30, complemented by interviews with the band. Following the broadcasts, the content will be available on digital platforms including BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

In a related engagement, the band will appear on Vernon Kay’s Radio 2 show, Tracks of My Years, to share selections of songs that have influenced their careers. This multifaceted media rollout underscores the band’s effort to connect their new work to their extensive legacy.

Carnaval De Luz is set for release on November 13, marking U2’s first full-length studio album in six years. The album’s launch precedes plans for a world stadium tour titled The Greatest Show On Earth in 2027. The tour includes a significant series of performances at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, suggesting a major live campaign ahead.

This event highlights U2’s enduring relevance and their strategic engagement with both heritage and innovation. Collaborating again with Brian Eno anchors their sound in a familiar yet evolving creative space, while the choice of venue and audience composition reflects a commitment to blending music with contemporary artistic expression.

Reintegrating Eno’s artistic vision as a live backdrop while premiering new songs signals a synthesis of visual and sonic elements that has characterized U2’s career but is increasingly vital in today’s multimedia-focused music landscape. The Tate Modern setting and the curated audience of art students and emerging voices suggest an attempt to inspire and pass on artistic values within the next generation.

The forthcoming tour will likely further amplify the band’s catalog, featuring material from the new album alongside classics, potentially reinvigorating their stadium show approach. The timing of the album and tour also positions U2 to capitalize on anniversary momentum and renewed public interest, consolidating their longevity in the global market.