U2 at 50: Our Dublin Anniversary Recap — Mount Temple, Grafton Street & Silencio Live

U2 turned 50 on September 25, 2026, and Dublin threw a party. We recap all of U2's 50th anniversary: the surprise Mount Temple school gig, the Grafton Street show from the Bewley's balcony, the live debut of "Silencio," and the "40" encore the fans asked for.

No Side A or Side B this week, just one fast recap of the whole day. We cover the 5am Stationhead listening party that wasn't quite a party, Larry unveiling U2's commemorative coin at the Little Museum of Dublin, and the Mount Temple set with 32 young string players from Music Generation. Then the McGonagles press playback for Carnaval de Luz, with Dolly Parton on "Torn." And the big one: 11 songs over Grafton Street, Edge singing "Falling Slowly" for Glen Hansard, 4,999 fans singing Happy Birthday, and Edge and Adam swapping instruments for "40."

Plus our questions for Bono over whiskey and cake: does 2026 Bono still carry a bit of 1976 Bono? And what would the day have looked like without a new album to promote?

Grafton Street setlist: I Will Follow, Out of Control, One, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, With or Without You, Silencio, All I Want Is You, Falling Slowly (Edge on vocals), Beautiful Day, Vertigo. Encore: 40.

Mount Temple setlist: I Will Follow, Vertigo, Beautiful Day, Out of Control, One, Silencio, With or Without You.

Next week: our deeper take on "Silencio" and the Carnaval de Luz album announcement (out November 13).

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