Bono and The Edge Celebrate U2 Classics at Woody Guthrie Prize Ceremony

U2 legends Bono and The Edge honor folk hero spirit with classic hits and new lyrics at Guthrie Prize event.

A Night to Remember: U2’s Tribute at Cain’s Ballroom

If you ever wondered what it’s like when rock legends pause to reflect on their roots, last night’s Woody Guthrie Prize ceremony in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the place to be. On October 21, 2025, U2’s Bono and The Edge took the stage at the historic Cain’s Ballroom, diving deep into their iconic back catalog with a six-song set that was equal parts nostalgic and forward-looking.

From poignant anthems like Running To Stand Still and Mothers of the Disappeared to the stirring energy of Sunday Bloody Sunday and Pride (In the Name of Love), the duo delivered a masterclass in the power of protest music. They also gave fans a touching performance of One and Yahweh, their voices weaving through Guthrie's own protest ballad, Jesus Christ. The cherry on top? A spontaneous a cappella nod to the Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night during the award acceptance—a playful reminder of rock's enduring camaraderie.

Honoring Woody Guthrie’s Legacy Through Music

Now, the Woody Guthrie Prize isn't just any award. It's handed out yearly to artists who channel Guthrie’s spirit—those who use their craft to speak up for the marginalized and fight for social change. And who better than Bono and The Edge, two stalwarts of music activism, to carry on that torch?

“Bob Dylan really did bring us to the place where the song was an instrument to open up worlds,” Bono reflected. “And the world of Woody Guthrie, I wouldn’t have entered if not for Bob.” He added a sobering thought, “America is the greatest song still yet to be written. The poetry is there but it’s still being written… don’t imagine it will continue to be extraordinary on its own, that if you fell asleep and woke up in 20 years, the world would be fairer or freer. It won’t. That’s not the way it works.”

The Edge chimed in with his own wisdom, emphasizing hope over despair: “Our favorite protest songs always had a sense of vision, something to aim for. You don’t talk about the darkness — you make the light brighter.”

A Glimpse Into U2’s Next Chapter

One of the most thrilling moments came during a candid discussion with legendary producer T Bone Burnett. Bono admitted the challenge of crafting protest songs in today’s world, confessing, “you can’t write a song to order.” But he treated the audience to an intimate glimpse of an unfinished track inspired by the late Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen:

“one father shot / three children crying / if there is no law / is there no crime / if there is no hope / what’s there to rhyme / history is written / one life at a time.”

These poignant lines mark the first official peek into new material destined for U2’s follow-up to their acclaimed 2017 album Songs of Experience. Though a release date hasn’t been announced yet, fans have plenty to look forward to.

Returning to Tulsa: Full Circle Moments

It’s poetic that U2’s return to Tulsa also felt like coming home. They hadn’t played Cain’s Ballroom since April 4, 1981, with subsequent visits in 1983 and 2018. As the band jokingly noted, this time around, they were “looking forward to legally buying their own pints,” a charming nod to the decades that have passed and the youthful energy still alive in their performances.

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. join past Guthrie Prize recipients including Pete Seeger, Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen, and most recently, 2024 honoree Tom Morello. It’s a testament to U2’s enduring commitment to music as a force for good.

Why These Songs Matter Today

U2’s setlist wasn’t just a greatest hits showcase—it was a deliberate homage to protest music’s power to inspire and change. Songs like Sunday Bloody Sunday and Mothers of the Disappeared have long been anthems of resistance and awareness, and hearing them in a setting honoring Woody Guthrie—who himself stood for the disenfranchised—is a powerful reminder of music’s role in social movements.

You could almost feel the weight of history in the room, the bridge between Guthrie’s folk roots and U2’s stadium-sized activism. It’s proof that music, like a good story, is timeless.

Wrapping Up the Night With Legacy and Hope

The ceremony was more than a nod to past glories—it was an affirmation of ongoing work. Bono’s words lingered: the fight for justice isn’t a story with a neat ending, but an ongoing “song still yet to be written.” The Edge’s optimism that music must “make the light brighter” reminded everyone that even in the darkest times, hope through art remains a guiding force.

And maybe that’s why we love U2 so much—their ability to combine the personal and political, the past and the future, in a way that feels deeply human and endlessly inspiring.

FAQ

• What is the Woody Guthrie Prize?
  It’s an annual award recognizing artists who embody Woody Guthrie’s spirit by using their art to advocate for social justice and speak for the less fortunate.
• What songs did Bono and The Edge perform at the ceremony?
  They played six U2 classics: Running To Stand Still, Mothers of the Disappeared, Sunday Bloody Sunday, One, Pride (In the Name of Love), Yahweh, plus Guthrie’s Jesus Christ and a Beatles a cappella snippet.
• Did U2 share any new music at the event?
  Yes! Bono recited lyrics from an unfinished song about Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen, hinting at their upcoming album following 2017’s Songs of Experience.
• Why is the Guthrie Prize significant for U2?
  It connects U2’s legacy of activism and protest music to the long tradition initiated by folk legend Woody Guthrie, affirming their role as social change agents.
• When did U2 last perform at Cain’s Ballroom before this event?
  Their previous performance there was on April 4, 1981, with returns in 1983 and 2018 before the 2025 ceremony.

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