U2 were in Las Vegas Saturday to shoot a video for a new song, “Atomic City,” during a surprise pop-up concert on Fremont Street.
With drummer Larry Mullen joining them, they did numerous takes of the song for the video, which will be out later this month in conjunction with the start of their U2 UV: Achtung Baby residency at the Sphere on September 29th.
“Atomic City” was the nickname for Las Vegas during the days of nuclear bomb testing in the 1950s. Bono describes the song as a “rock n’ roll 45 [rpm single] in the tradition of late-'70s post-punk, Blondie, The Clash.”
The surprise appearance also included an acoustic version of the first verse of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking,” the video for which they also shot on Fremont Street in April 1987.
You can watch fan-shot video of Saturday's performance below.
Although Larry Mullen was with them Saturday, he still will be sitting out the residency. Bono told the crowd, “The four of us recorded the song. Sadly, Larry Mullen Junior won’t be with us at the Sphere. He doesn’t listen to doctor’s orders. Neither do many of us. But he is here tonight… Give it up for Larry Mullen Junior!”
Mullen, who is recovering from back surgery, is being replaced by Bram van den Berg.