The Edge discussed Larry Mullen Jr.’s return to drumming for U2’s new album following his absence from the band’s recent Las Vegas residency, speaking with Uncut.
The U2 guitarist was asked about the current state of the drummer, who had to sit out the 2023-24 Sphere residency due to neck surgery. The Edge described Mullen Jr.’s work on the band’s new album and his role in U2’s comeback plans.
Question: “Going back to where we came in, how is Larry doing?”
“He’s doing great! He’s enjoying playing, he’s playing as he always does in his own unique way that’s super inventive and not what you’d necessarily expect, which is wonderful,” The Edge said.
“Some of the demos had quite particular beats, and Larry managed to just totally make them his own, and they don’t sound anything like the original. They have the Larry Mullen magic. So, we’ve announced some dates for a tour, and we’re very positive about that.”
The comments came as U2 prepares for a new chapter with the album Carnaval de Luz and upcoming tour dates. The band’s return marks a full reunion with Mullen Jr. back behind the kit.
Mullen had stepped back from live performances after undergoing neck and back surgery in 2023, when a congenital fusion in a facet joint in his neck had become increasingly irritated by decades of drumming. The problem had become particularly severe during U2’s 2019 Joshua Tree anniversary tour, and doctors eventually suggested that Mullen consider retirement from performing. Temporary drummer Bram van den Berg performed with the group for 40 concerts from September 2023 to March 2024.
Mullen returned to live performance with two surprise homecoming concerts in Dublin in September 2026 to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, and performed at a London gig with Brian Eno and the BBC. He was uncertain about whether he would ever play live again after the surgery and remains unsure if he can perform for more than an hour. Bass player Adam Clayton said that U2 would not have made an album without Mullen being able to play drums, as the band has only ever recorded as a four-piece.
Carnaval de Luz was released on November 13, 2026, and is the band’s first album of new original material since Songs of Experience in 2017. The album grew out of U2’s creative work on two surprise-released EPs from early 2026, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, which were recorded during the same period. U2 will support the new album with The Greatest Show on Earth World Tour in 2027, with Beck joining as support, and the band is already rehearsing for the tour with Mullen on drums.
