U2 boys surprise Christmas shoppers

CHRISTMAS came early for fans of U2 yesterday as the group made a brief appearance in public in the heart of Dublin city centre.

Pedestrians on Grafton Street were surprised to find an extra buzz of excitement amid the usual lunchtime crowds due to the surprise presence of Bono and the boys in the area. Hundreds of Christmas shoppers joined a few dedicated fans who had learnt of the group’s planned visit to the Gaiety Theatre.

The numbers hoping to catch a glimpse of U2 swelled after The Edge was first to arrive. Although accompanied by security personnel, the guitarist stopped briefly to sign a couple of autographs for fans.

Bono, Larry and Adam all subsequently made their way into the Gaiety via the stage door through a side-entrance off Grafton Street.

U2 have chosen the recently refurbished theatre to film the video for their next single from their best-selling album, How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. The video is believed to include the set from the Dunphy Show - the TV3 chat show hosted by Eamon Dunphy.

Although a U2 spokesperson said the next single had not yet been determined, band sources indicated it will be Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own.

The song is dedicated to Bono’s late father, Bob Hewson, who died from cancer in 2001.

It will be the follow-up single to the group’s smash hit, Vertigo, which has received three nominations for the 2005 Grammy Awards as well as going to No 1 in over a dozen countries.

The band is also among five musical legends to be inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the foundation’s 20th annual induction ceremony next year, the organisation announced yesterday.

The foundation will hold its induction ceremony on March 14 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. Artists are eligible to be inducted into the Rock Hall 25 years after their first record was released.