U2 to Play BBC Show in London Before Album Arrives

U2 will play a private show for BBC Music in central London on Tuesday, 3 November, two weeks before the release of the band's new album. The BBC confirmed the four-piece will perform for a select group of fans at an indoor venue, drawing on older material and songs from the record arriving later this month.

The Irish group has won 22 Grammy Awards. Its next studio album, Carnaval De Luz, is due out Friday, 13 November. The venue address will go to successful ticket holders on the day of the show.

Tickets are being distributed through a ballot on the BBC Shows and Tours website, with applications closing at midnight on Thursday, 29 October. Jo Whiley first announced the concert on her BBC Radio 2 programme.

Whiley said she expects the band to deliver as it always does. "Every time I see U2 perform, they're always incredible, giving 100% to each and every show," she said. "I can't wait to see what they have in store for us, and to share what I know will be a fantastic concert with listeners."

BBC Two will carry the performance late this month as part of an evening of U2 programming. Whiley's Radio 2 slot on Monday, 30 November, from 7pm to 9pm will include the concert plus a new interview with the band, and the material will post to BBC Sounds.

The four members will also appear separately on Vernon Kay's weekday Radio 2 show for Tracks of My Years, each naming ten songs that shaped their work. That episode reaches BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer at 6am on Sunday, 15 November, airs on Kay's programme during the week of Monday, 16 November, and runs again on BBC Two the night of the concert special.