U2 frontman Bono visited ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, May 27, to promote his new documentary, Bono: Stories of Surrender, which premieres May 30 on Apple TV+.
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During the interview, host Jimmy Kimmel asked the Irish rock legend if U2 was “working on anything right now.”
“Oh, oh yes,” Bono responded. “We have been in the studio.”
The singer then went on to discuss what U2 is hoping to achieve with the new album they’re recording.
“I think you’ve sometimes got to deal with the past to get to the present in order to make, you know, the sound of the future,” Bono noted, “which is what we want to do.”
More Details About U2’s Upcoming Album
The frontman proceeded to give Kimmel a general idea about what the band’s new material is sounding like. He also talked about U2’s motivation to make an album that stands up to the group’s best work.
“It’s the sound of, I would say, four men who feel like their lives depend on it,” Bono said. “And I remind them, they do. And you know, nobody needs a new U2 album, unless it’s an extraordinary one, and I’m feeling very strong about it.”
In addition, the 65-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer suggested that the album would be a collection of diverse tunes.
“Songs for the kitchen, songs for … the speedway, the garage … you know, just for every part of your life,” he explained about the new material. “Songs to make up to, songs to break up to.
Bono added, “U2 makes a very unique sound when we play together, and I think, yeah, the sound of a room is what we’re going for.”
The singer also shared some good news about U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr., who had to sit out the band’s 2023-2024 Las Vegas residency at the Sphere venue, because he was recovering from spinal surgery.
“Larry’s back from injury,” Bono revealed. He added about Mullen’s contributions in the studio, “He’s really innovative.”
About the Bono: Stories of Surrender Film
As previously reported, Bono: Stories of Surrender was inspired by the one-man show the U2 frontman took on tour in 2022 and 2023 to promote his then-new memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.
As reported in the original announcement about the film, Bono: Stories of Surrender offers “a vivid reimagining of Bono’s critically acclaimed one-man stage show.” During the show, the singer told stories and anecdotes about his life and music that appeared in the book. He also performed a variety of U2 songs.
For the musical performances, Bono was joined by Gemma Doherty on harp, keyboard, and vocals; Kate Ellis on cello, keyboard, and vocals; and Jacknife Lee on keyboards and percussion. Lee also served as the show’s musical director.
The movie also features previously unseen, exclusive footage shot during Bono’s 2023 run of “Stories of Surrender” performances at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
Prior to its May 30 premiere on Apple TV+, the film was given a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 16.
An Immersive Version of the Film Also Is Premiering in May
Also on May 30, an immersive version of Bono: Stories of Surrender will premiere via the Apple Vision Pro spatial computer. The film will be the first feature-length movie made available in the Apple Immersive Video format.
The 8K media format features Spatial Audio, which offers a 180-degree video experience. Viewers will feel like they’re onstage with Bono and in the center of the performance.
Stories of Surrender EP
A three-song live EP featuring performances from Bono: Stories of Surrender will be released on May 30 as well.
The Stories of Surrender EP will be available via digital formats and as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl disc. The EP features Bono’s performances the U2 songs “Desire,” “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” and “The Showman.”
(Photo by Randy Holmes/Courtesy of Disney)
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