U2 Recalls 2006 Brazilian Carnival Experience with Music Icon Gilberto Gil That Helped Inspire Carnaval De Luz

U2‘s upcoming album, Carnaval De Luz, has roots in Brazil, where Bono and The Edge experienced Carnival in Salvador, Bahia, alongside Brazilian music icon Gilberto Gil and legendary producer Quincy Jones in 2006. Nearly two decades later, The Edge has revisited that trip and its connection to the band’s fascination with Carnival.

Speaking to Brazilian radio station 89 FM, The Edge recalled how Gil and Jones introduced the musicians to the festivities. “We were in Bahia with Quincy Jones and Gilberto Gil, and they said, ‘We’re going to show you Carnival,’” he recalled.

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The musicians watched the city’s famous trios elétricos from a balcony before Bono joined Brazilian singer Ivete Sangalo during her performance, an encounter also documented in U2’s official archives.

The guitarist explained that U2 had long been fascinated by Carnival’s combination of religious tradition and exuberant celebration. “We were fascinated by the possibility of bringing together these two different sides of U2’s identity: this spiritual search and celebration,” he said, describing an idea that helped shape the band’s new album.

Brazil’s influence also extends to the music itself. As Rolling Stone Brasil reported, bassist Adam Clayton discussed the Brazilian roots of “Silencio” during an interview with the television program Fantástico, while Bono expressed excitement about performing the song in Brazil when U2 returns to São Paulo in March 2027.

Announced in September, Carnaval De Luz arrives November 13th as U2’s first album of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience. The record also includes a song inspired by Rosalía, although the Spanish singer does not appear on the track.

U2 will support the album with “The Greatest Show On Earth World Tour,” which begins in Mexico City in February 2027.  The band is scheduled to return to São Paulo for four concerts at MorumBIS stadium on March 10th, 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2027, marking a particularly fitting homecoming for the album. Look for deals and get tickets to sold-out shows here (where fans can save $20 on their first order of $200 or more with promo code CONSEQUENCE20 at checkout). 

U2’s “The Greatest Show On Earth World Tour” 2027 Dates:

02/23 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Estadio GNP Seguros *
02/26 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Estadio GNP Seguros *
02/28 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Estadio GNP Seguros *
03/02 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Estadio GNP Seguros *
03/10 – São Paulo, Brazil @ Estádio MorumBIS *
03/12 – São Paulo, Brazil @ Estádio MorumBIS *
03/14 – São Paulo, Brazil @ Estádio MorumBIS *
03/16 – São Paulo, Brazil @ Estádio MorumBIS *
03/23 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Estadio River Plate *
03/25 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Estadio River Plate *
03/27 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Estadio River Plate *

04/26 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Strawberry Arena **
04/28 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Strawberry Arena **
04/30 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Strawberry Arena **
05/05 – Paris, France @ Stade de France **
05/08 – Paris, France @ Stade de France **
05/09 – Paris, France @ Stade de France **
05/13 – Barcelona, Spain @ Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys **
05/15 – Barcelona, Spain @ Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys **
05/22 – Seville, Spain @ Estadio La Cartuja **
05/27 – Lisbon, Portugal @ Estádio da Luz **
05/28 – Lisbon, Portugal @ Estádio da Luz **
06/05 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Johan Cruijff ArenA **
06/06 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Johan Cruijff ArenA **
06/09 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Johan Cruijff ArenA **
06/11 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Johan Cruijff ArenA **
06/18 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium **
06/19 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium **
06/22 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium **
06/25 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium **
06/30 – Berlin, Germany @ Olympiastadion **
07/01 – Berlin, Germany @ Olympiastadion **
07/05 – Milan, Italy @ Stadio San Siro **
07/06 – Milan, Italy @ Stadio San Siro **
07/09 – Milan, Italy @ Stadio San Siro **

* = w/ Beck
** = w/ Wolf Alice