On a stormy evening in Las Vegas, U2 finally reunited in the same arena for the first time in five years — sort of. Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. attended U2’s penultimate show Friday night at Sphere in Las Vegas, where he watched from his seat in the crowd.
Mullen, who was recovering from neck surgery and other ailments, had been missing U2’s signature Sphere shows. On Thursday, Bono, The Edge and bassist Adam Clayton were once again joined by Krezip drummer Bram van den Berg — who has been filling in for Mullen during the Sphere shows.
“We haven’t played any shows since October 1978 without Larry Mullen Jr., and it’s only fitting that I start by introducing the man who saved the day when Larry Mullen couldn’t make it,” Bono said in introducing his bandmates. “His name is already a legend here for the people who can pronounce it. ‘Flying while Dutchman Braam van den Berg sits on the drums.’
Saturday is U2’s final night at the Sphere, where they originally planned to play 25 shows but expanded to 40. (Phish is next, with four nights at the Sphere in April).
Press reports had previously hinted that Mullen was on his way to Las Vegas, sparking rumors that he might take to the stage at the Sphere for the final two shows. This was Mullen’s first time performing in concert with his bandmates since 2019. (However, the drummer has continued to record with U2, and played on last year’s single “Atomic City”).
They were right that Mullen would be there, but they didn’t perform. At U2’s show on Friday, Bono introduced Mullen in the stands: “The rumors that Larry is playing with us tonight are unfortunately not true. But he’s here with us!”
When the crowd started chanting “Larry,” Bono continued: “This is the guy who pinned the note to the bulletin board at Mount Temple Comprehensive School all those years ago. And we’re so grateful that he did that and that he’s here with us tonight. We wish him a speedy, speedy, speedy recovery.” We love you, Larry Mullen Jr.
Bono then launched into the final song — which is technically part of the “encore,” but the band went beyond the theatrics of leaving the stage and returning.
“We play this game every night, pretending to do it all over again,” Bono said. “It’s not an encore. It’s on the bucket list. There’s such a thing as the Internet. It’s a beautiful night, Larry, and this is a ‘beautiful day.'” (Bono later modified the lyrics to add: “Larry Mullen, you’re beautiful!”)
Mullen later responded with thanks on social media. “What an amazing night at The Sphere,” he said on U2’s account. “Very grateful to Bono, Edge, Adam and of course Bram for the amazing work. A very emotional night for me personally.”
It was a fitting and special way to conclude what had been a fitting and special experience for U2 and their fans. Kicking off 2023’s “Songs of Surrender,” Bono and The Edge’s minimalist reworking of U2 classics, the band has been in a celebratory and introspective mood for some time now. This also included last year’s Emmy-nominated Disney+ special “Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman.” Now, “U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere” is similarly unique in finding a new way to celebrate the band, its catalog and its longevity.
On Thursday night, Bono, the Edge, Clayton and van den Berg were spotted at the U2 Experience’s “Zoo Station” event at the Venetian Hotel, where they met fans and checked out the pop-up. (They also took photos inside the exhibit, including the one above.)
Much has been written about the stunning images inside the Sphere, and many of the images — including a teardown of the Las Vegas skyline — live up to the hype. And although U2’s shows have come to an end, the impressive show will continue with a concert film filmed on Friday (plus other final nights) that is expected to eventually be shown inside the Sphere.
“We’re filming tonight,” Bono told the crowd. “This is the show people will see after we all go home. In the future, people will be watching us, and people will be watching you… Give the future a wave.”
The enthusiastic crowd — which included many members of the U2 family (such as Bono’s wife Alison Hewson), rocker Lenny Kravitz and other notables — was engaged.