U2chose Ash Wednesday to release a quintet of songs that are among the most potent in their heady catalog.
The band surprise dropped"Days of Ash,"a collection of five songs and a poem, on Feb. 18, because as singer Bono says in the notes accompanying the release, "These EP tracks couldn't wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world."
U2's first new music since "Atomic City" in 2023, which dovetailed with theirpioneering residencyat theLas Vegas Sphere,is couched as a response to current events. Many of the songs refer to specific people, including Renée Good, the motherkilled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcementin January in Minneapolis after protesting their presence.
Bono assertsthat these weighty songs are not indicative of what U2 is working on for an album expected in late 2026. "Songs of celebration will follow," he says in the notes. "For all the awfulness we see normalized daily on our small screens, there's nothing normal about these mad and maddening times and we need to stand up to them before we can go back to having faith in the future. And each other."
The EP is accompaniedby individual lyric videos,as well as the return of "Propaganda," a digital zine that will have a limited-edition print run. The fan magazine was born 40 years ago as a nod to the punk-era "zine culture" that used to be delivered by mail to U2 fans.The 52-page publicationis called "U2 − Days of Ash: Six Postcards from the Present … Wish We Weren't Here," and includes song lyrics, notes from the band members and an interview withTaras Topolia,a musician and soldier featured on one of the new tracks.
As drummer Larry Mullen Jr. notes, getting political has always been inU2's DNA.
"Going way back to our earliest days, working with Amnesty or Greenpeace, we've never shied away from taking a position and sometimes that can get a bit messy," he says in the press notes. "There's always some sort of blowback, but it's a big side of who we are and why we still exist."
Here's a look at the five songs – "American Obituary," "The Tears of Things," "Song of the Future," "One Life at a Time," "Yours Eternally" (featuring Ed Sheeran and Topolia) – and the poem "Wildpeace," by Israeli author and poet Yehuda Amichai.
Bruce Springsteen announces tour:To celebrate and defend 'our sacred American dream'
'American Obituary'
Over jagged, gritty guitars from The Edge,Bono digs into lyricsincluding, "The worst can't kill what's best in us … America will rise."
Framed as a requiem for Renée Good, the song slashes through a message of hope, with Bono finding his upper range and leading the band in a chant as the song draws to a close: "The power of the people is so much stronger than the people in power."
'The Tears of Things'
The evocative song, titled after a book by Franciscan friarRichard Rohrabout how people can live compassionately in times of violence or despair, starts softly over acoustic guitar and a shuffling groove.
Advertisement
Religious overlays run parallel to a lyrical conversation between Michelangelo's David and his creator, with the lyric video ending with a note from the band about the intent of the song: "Our common prayer for a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in just and peaceful coexistence."
The veteran British glam rockers will be asking Las Vegas, "Do you wanna get rocked?" at their new dozen-concert residency at Caesars Palace. Singer Joe Elliott told USA TODAY the band wants to keep some "mystique" about show plans but, "Vegas will have a new concept."Dates: Feb. 3 - Feb. 28 (Las Vegas). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The Americana sweetheart is supporting her eighth studio album – and first solo project in four years – "Returning to Myself," released in October. She'll be joined by The Head and the Heart.Dates: Feb. 10 (Philadelphia) – March 6 (San Francisco). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The hip-hop maven embarks on her Little Miss Drama Tour – its name drawn from her second studio album that released in September – for more than 30 dates. It's her first tour in six years and her first arena outing.Dates: Feb. 11 (Palm Desert, California) – April 18 (Atlanta). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The Mayhem Ball was unequivocally the most spectacular road show of 2025. The indefatigable Gaga is back for a second North American leg that will hit some new cities (Atlanta, Boston, Washington DC) and return her captivating pop-opera to others (Los Angeles, New York) because of insatiable demand.Dates: Feb. 14 (Glendale, Arizona) – April 13 (New York). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Following the major success of his fourth studio album, "Wishbone," which bore the dreamy "This Song" and "Vodka Cranberry," the sensitive singer-songwriter will circle North American arenas with Esha Tewari before heading to Europe and Australia.Dates: Feb. 19 (Minneapolis) – March 20 (Los Angeles). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Following the recent release of his sixth album, "With Heaven on Top," the alt-country singer-songwriter will launch another slate of stadium shows to promote the 25-song effort. He's also tapped a heady supporting cast: Kings of Leon and Ben Howard, Alabama Shakes and Caamp.Dates: March 7 (St. Louis) - Oct. 10 (Auburn, Alabama). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Country megastar Combs has produced a stadium-sized career, and he'll fill those venues on his My Kinda Saturday Night Tour, which kicks off the day after his new album, "The Way I Am," arrives. Combs tapped guest performers – Dierks Bentley, The Script, Thomas Rhett, Thelma & James, among others – for various dates.Dates: March 21 (Las Vegas) – June 6 (Toronto). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The forthright British songbird hasn't toured North America since 2018, and is only doing nine concerts before heading back to the U.K. this summer. But she'll make them memorable. Her Lily Allen Performs West End Girl will find her performing her intense new album, "West End Girl," start to finish.Dates: April 3 (Chicago) – April 28 (San Francisco). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Florence Welch – an ever-captivating and a dazzling stage presence – will lead her band through a romp inspired by her sixth album, "Everybody Scream," released on Halloween. She'll be joined by Rachel Chinouriri, Sofia Isella and other artists on varying dates.Dates: April 8 (Minneapolis) – May 20 (Los Angeles). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
It's been four years since Lovato's last major outing and she's primed to bring her nearly two decades (!) of hits to 23 cities. Touring behind last year's "It's Not That Deep," which marked her return to pop, Lovato will welcome ADÉLA as her special guest.Dates: April 8 (Charlotte) – May 25 (Houston). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
While he hasn't headlined a tour since 2017, the song-and-dance man has hardly been idle. He's helmed a popular Vegas residency and club opening as well as moonlighting with Silk Sonic and appearing on hits with Lady Gaga and Rosé. His grand return for The Romantic Tour – his fourth album, "The Romantic," – will play nearly 70 stadium shows across North America and Europe and was met with instant sellouts. Dates: April 10 (Las Vegas) – Oct. 17 (Vancouver). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Cue the eardrum-shattering screams because the K-pop conquerors are back. A 70-plus date world tour featuring an in-the-round stage should sate the BTS Army, especially since it's the group's first headline tour since 2022. A new record, "Arirang," is also expected this year.Dates: April 25 (Tampa) - Sept. 6 (Los Angeles). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The effervescent ska-punk of the "Tragic Kingdom" quartet will meld with the remarkable technology at Sphere Las Vegas for what is sure to be a colorful show. Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young have 18 performances set at the venue to host their cache of '90s and '00s smashes. Dates: May 6 - June 13 (Las Vegas). More here. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The voice behind the ubiquitous "Ordinary" released his full-length debut album, "You'll Be Alright, Kid," in July (with Jelly Roll and Rosé popping on a couple of songs). He'll parlay his burgeoning success on his Little Orphan Alex Live tour with a run of 28 North American amphitheaters and arenas.Dates: May 25 (Nashville) - July 28 (Cheyenne, Wyoming). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The Australian pop-rockers show their sense of humor on new album "Everyone's a Star!" with the single "Boyband." They'll take their polished riffs to Europe in the early part of the year before hitting more than three dozen arenas and amphitheaters in North America.Dates: May 29 (Uncasville, Connecticut) - Aug. 28 (Mountain View, California). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The global superstar broke through in a major way with "LUX," her fourth full-length album released in November featuring the London Symphony Orchestra, Björk, Carminho and Estrella Morente, among others. Her LUX Tour 2026 will play 42 arena shows in 17 countries. Dates: June 4 (Miami) - July 3 (San Diego). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
It's a long way from "Wicked" as Grande embarks on her first tour in six years. The album she's ostensibly supporting, "Eternal Sunshine," arrived in March 2024, but Grande spent the last couple of years exploring her acting interests and hinted that she will return to that path following this excursion.Dates: June 6 (Oakland, California) – Aug. 6 (Chicago). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Even Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson were surprised at the demand that met the first seven dates they announced on their Fifty Something tour, their first since 2015. Modern Drummer Hall of Famer Neil Peart died in 2020, but the Canadian rockers will be joined by Anika Nilles behind the kit.Dates: June 7 (Los Angeles) – Dec. 17 (Vancouver). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Following a spate of shows in Australia and South America, the affable Sheeran will land in North America for a stadium run. Sheeran is rocking a pink-hued motif for the tour in support of his eighth studio album, "Play," which spawned the hits "Azizam," "Sapphire" and "Camera."Dates: June 13 (Glendale, Arizona) – Nov. 7 (Tampa). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Jon Bon Jovi was extremely candid in the band's fulfilling Hulu documentary, "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story," about the devastating vocal cord issues that robbed him of his singing voice. But following surgery and intensive rehab, one of rock's greatest frontmen and the rest of his Jersey boys are ready to rock again with a nine-show residency at Madison Square Garden before heading to Ireland and the U.K. for another handful of shows.Dates: July 7-26 (New York). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
It's been quite the whirlwind year for the young London native, whose second album, "The Art of Loving," earned her a best new artist Grammy nomination and commandeered radio with the soulful pop of "Man I Need" and "Nice to Each Other." Her The Art of Loving Live tour is her most ambitious as she plays all arenas for the first time.Dates: July 10 (San Francisco) – Aug. 29 (Austin, Texas). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Two decades after steamrolling through venues with their Carnival of Sins tour, Motley Crue is resurrecting the explosive production for its 20th anniversary as well as the 45th anniversary of the band. The Return of the Carnival of Sins – featuring updated staging and set lists – will hit 33 cities with Tesla and Extreme in tow.Dates: July 17 (Burgettstown, Pennsylvania) – Sept. 26 (Ridgefield, Washington). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The band – Axl Rose, Duff McKagan, Slash, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, Isaac Carpenter and Melissa Reese – have returned to their road warrior ways following a 2025 world tour and a 2026 that finds them roaring through South America and Europe before journeying to North America. Among GNR's dates is a Sept. 5 return to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, their first time playing the stadium in more than 30 years. Dates: July 24 (Raleigh, North Carolina) – Aug. 22 (Las Vegas). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Their last stadium tour, the 2023-24 Everything or Nothing at All run, sold out stadiums worldwide. The Foos – Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee and Ilan Rubin – will go another round in 12 (for now, they say) North American cities this summer. Queens of the Stone Age will open all dates except Sept. 12 in Fargo, North Dakota.Dates: Aug. 4 (Toronto) – Sept. 26 (Las Vegas). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The celebration continues for the emo-punk-rockers, who last year kickstarted an anniversary tour to revisit their standout 2006 rock opera, "The Black Parade." Skits and costumes are prevalent as the band – Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Mikey Way and Frank Iero – tears through their landmark album in full before a second set of ragers.Dates: Aug. 9 (New York) – Oct. 31 (Hollywood, California). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Who is on tour in 2026? Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, BTS, Rush and more
The veteran British glam rockers will be asking Las Vegas, "Do you wanna get rocked?" at their new dozen-concert residency at Caesars Palace. Singer Joe Elliotttold USA TODAYthe band wants to keep some "mystique" about show plans but, "Vegas will have a new concept."Dates:Feb. 3 - Feb. 28 (Las Vegas).More here.
'Song of the Future'
A purposefully disjointed song packed with Edge's guitar squalls is counterbalanced by a signature soaring U2 chorus as the band sings of 16-year-oldSarina Esmailzadeh, an Iranian schoolgirl who took to the streets as part of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in 2022.
Sarina was beaten by Iranian security forces and died from her injuries, with the regime claiming she killed herself.
'Wildpeace'
The poem byYehuda Amichaiis read by Nigerian artistAdeola of world music group Les Amazones d'Afriqueover 90 seconds of electronic music backdrop composed by U2 and producer Jacknife Lee.
Among the intonation: "A little rest for the wounds – who speaks of healing? And the howl of the orphans is passed from one generation to the next as in a relay race: the baton never falls."
'One Life at a Time'
Written forAwdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian father, nonviolent activist and English teacher, killed in his village in the West Bank by Israeli settler Yinon Levi in July 2025, the song is as weighty musically as it is lyrically.
"You say you wanna save the world tonight," Bono sings over a deep bass backbone from Adam Clayton. Melancholy is baked into the groove as Bono continues, "What you buy is what you're being sold."
Hathaleen was also a consultant on the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land."
'Yours Eternally'
Born out of Bono and The Edgebusking in a metro station in Kyivin 2022 at the invitation of Ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy, the gently pulsing song is stacked with U2 hallmarks.
Layered harmonies – with an assist from Ed Sheeran – and chiming guitars tell a story inspired byTaras Topoliaand is written in the form of a letter from a solider on active duty. A short documentary to accompany the song will be released Feb. 24, the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"If you have the chance to laugh, laugh at me," Bono sings. "If you have a chance to reach, reach for me."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:U2's potent new 'Days of Ash' EP spotlights 'maddening times'
