U2 have announced a surprise exclusive concert for the BBC next month, just days after fans voted them among their dream Glastonbury 2027 headliners. The Irish rock band will reunite on stage for an intimate show at a secret central London venue on Tuesday, November 3.
The performance, announced by Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday evening, will see the band revisit some of their biggest hits alongside material from their upcoming studio album, Carnaval De Luz, which arrives on November 13.
Timing fuels Glastonbury speculation
While the announcement has nothing to do with Glastonbury officially, the timing has interested fans hoping to see the rock veterans return to Worthy Farm. With a new album, a major BBC performance and renewed activity from the band, a Pyramid Stage comeback seems a more likely prospect.
U2 last headlined the festival in 2011, meaning a return next summer would mark 16 years since Bono and company last entertained the crowds in Somerset.
Fans' dream headliners
In a recent Metro poll asking readers to choose their dream Glastonbury 2027 headliners, U2 emerged as the second-most popular choice with 387 votes, representing 12.89% of the 3,003 votes cast. They were narrowly beaten by Oasis, who claimed the top spot with 400 votes, despite festival organiser Emily Eavis having already poured cold water on rumours of a Gallagher brothers takeover.
Eminem completed the readers' dream headline trio, with Sam Fender and The Rolling Stones also proving popular.
There has been no official indication that the band will appear at next year's festival, but their upcoming return to the stage demonstrates that they are back in action.
Concert details and broadcast
A limited number of tickets for the London concert are available through a BBC Audiences ballot, which closes at 11.59pm on Thursday, October 29. The venue will remain a secret until the day of the performance, with successful applicants informed of its location ahead of the show.
The concert will air on BBC Two in late November as part of a special evening dedicated to the band, while BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds will broadcast the performance during Jo Whiley's show on Monday, November 30, between 7pm and 9pm. The radio broadcast will also feature a new interview with the group.
Whiley said: 'Every time I see U2 perform, they're always incredible, giving 100% to each and every show.'
'I can't wait to see what they have in store for us, and to share what I know will be a fantastic concert with listeners.'
The band will also join Vernon Kay for his Tracks of My Years feature, selecting ten songs that have shaped their lives and careers, available on BBC Sounds and iPlayer from November 15.
Meanwhile, the identities of Glastonbury's actual headliners remain a closely guarded secret. Eavis has previously confirmed that all three acts have already been booked, meaning thousands of festivalgoers are treating every tour announcement as a potential clue. With tickets selling out in just 42 minutes, plenty of music lovers have already committed to attending next summer without the slightest idea who's topping the bill.
