The new song is an homage to Las Vegas
U2 drops their highly anticipated new single “Atomic City” tomorrow (Fri, Sept 29th) as they launch their extraordinary new U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere shows at Las Vegas’ groundbreaking new venue, Sphere. “Atomic City” will be available as a digital single in standard audio, HD audio and also in Spatial/Atmos, with a limited edition 7-inch vinyl and limited edition CD single being offered.
The band’s new single is an homage to the post-punk gods that have come before them including Blondie and Giorgio Moroder, as well as the city of Las Vegas itself — once dubbed Atomic City due to the nuclear testing tourists were able to watch on the outskirts of the city in the 50’s.
“Come all you stars, falling out of the sky / Come all you angels, forgetting to fly / Come all who feel we’re not on our own / All U.F.Os, come on your way home,” Bono sings in the opening lines.
The song was recorded at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Jacknife Lee and Steve Lilywhite. It features Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen, Jr. returning to their roots with a straight-ahead rock song, complete with a rare guitar solo performed by The Edge.
The video is directed by Ben Kutchins, with creative direction by Tarik Mikou with Moment Factory Music, and features U2’s late-night surprise performance of the track in Downtown Las Vegas just last week, the same Fremont Street location where Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. filmed their iconic video for “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” over 36 years ago.
Bono described it as “a rock ‘n’ roll 45 in the tradition of ’70s post-punk, Blondie, the Clash, some ’70s punk…” The song references Las Vegas’ vivid history as not only an atomic test site but ground zero for the best in entertainment.
“Guitar shaped pool with strings / Etcetera / Sinatra swings / A choir sings / Love is God and God is Love / And if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough,” Bono sings in one of the verses.
The band — which formed 47 years ago on September 24th in Dublin, Ireland — performs the first of 25 shows at Sphere tomorrow. Dutch drummer Bram van den Berg will join Bono, The Edge and Adam Clayton on stage for the run of shows as Larry Mullen, Jr. recuperates from shoulder surgery.
U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere is a first-of-its-kind live music experience that will see the world’s biggest rock band launch the world’s most cutting-edge venue, Sphere at The Venetian in Las Vegas. The four-month residency marks U2’s first live shows in four years and Sphere at The Venetian in Las Vegas will be the only place fans can see the show, spanning September 29th through December 16th.
Sphere is a next-generation entertainment medium that will bring wonder to the world and redefine the future of live entertainment. Sphere’s 22nd century technologies include a 16K x 16K LED display inside the main venue bowl that wraps up, over, and around the audience, creating a fully immersive visual environment. Sphere Immersive Sound, the world’s most advanced concert audio system, delivers crystal-clear audio to every seat in the house. Multi-sensory 4D technologies will enhance the storytelling experience so guests can “feel” the experience – such as the rumble of thunder or the feeling of a cool breeze. U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere will tap into this cutting-edge technology, allowing fans to experience something completely new.
U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere is the band’s latest ambitious creative project and will see them work once again with longtime U2 creative collaborator and show director Willie Williams. It follows the massive success of the band’s acclaimed Joshua Tree 30th anniversary stadium tour which was seen by over 3.2 million fans worldwide and their 2018 eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE indoor tour which played to a combined audience of one million across Europe and North America.
Today sees the opening of the fan portal, Zoo Station: A U2:UV Experience, at the Venetian, supporting this run of shows. Developed in collaboration with Gavin Friday, U2’s longtime creative director, and with direct input from the band, Zoo Station comprises more than 12,000 square feet of interactive exhibit space across two floors and is conveniently located within The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, the only resort with direct access to Sphere.
Zoo Station will serve as a centralized hub/destination for people to celebrate, congregate, shop, view exclusive U2 content, and immerse themselves in the band’s history. The ground floor, home to the U2 Pop-Up Merch Shop, the Anton Corbjin Gallery, and interactive installations, will be open to the public and free to enter.
Zoo TV Cinema, curated by The Edge, is an intimate theater open to the public and hosts five film screenings daily, including rare and unreleased concert footage from U2 shows around the world, original content including “Beyond The Tour,” “A Day In The Life Of The Edge,” and more. These screenings will require advanced admission.
Vibee VIP pass holders and Zoo Cinema ticket holders will get priority access to the second floor. The fan portal will be open exclusively to Vibee VIP pass holders from 4 until 6 pm on performance days.
