The latest single from U2 ahead of Carnaval De Luz, “Silencio,” came across as a gritty rock number that hinted the band was still chasing a rewrite of Vertigo — and not succeeding. Fortunately, the new track released today is a different mood. After dropping a teaser from the album with last year’s “Street Of Dreams,” a track that functions as a retro All That You Can’t Leave Behind nod while edging toward anthem status, the group appears to be returning to their hallmark ballad style with “The Greatest Show On Earth.” Note the cascading delay on The Edge’s shimmering guitar line! Hear Adam Clayton’s urgent quarter-note bass driving the groove! It may not vault into their canon as a classic, yet the track unmistakably sounds like U2, and for that, fans can be grateful.
“The Greatest Show On Earth” lands alongside news of Carnaval De Luz Presents: The Greatest Show On Earth, U2’s 2027 world tour. So far, the band has revealed only a small selection of dates in Latin America. In February and March, they’ll perform two nights in Mexico City, two in São Paulo, and two in Buenos Aires, all with Beck supporting. Creatively, European and North American stops are expected to follow. A statement from the group about these travels:
“The Greatest Show on Earth”? Now that’s a showdown. It’s a dare, a challenge to ourselves as much as to the audience, to craft the best night in anyone’s life.
A touch of showmanship, a hint of mysticism, a riot of color, formidable guitar, bass and drums, and melodies you can grab onto.
Because if there’s going to be a crowd, we’ll be there ourselves.
Below, watch the video for the new song, directed by longtime friend Anton Corbijn in the band’s familiar desert setting in California. A press release notes that it “parodies the group as a religious cult where the women do all the heavy lifting.”
TOUR DATES:
02/23 Mexico City, Mexico @ Estadio GNP Seguros
02/26 Mexico City, Mexico @ Estadio GNP Seguros
03/10 São Paulo, Brazil @ Estádio MorumBIS
03/12 São Paulo, Brazil @ Estádio MorumBIS
03/23 Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Estadio River Plate
03/25 Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Estadio River Plate
Carnaval De Luz is scheduled for release on 11/13 via Island. Do you think we’ll hear the track with Dolly Parton or the Rosalía tribute featuring invented Spanish lyrics before the album drops?
