U2’s Bono and the Edge Perform for Ukrainians in Kyiv Bomb Shelter

Bono and Edge flew to Kyiv, Ukraine over the weekend to put on a surprise show to lift the morale of civilians and soldiers during Russia’s ongoing invasion of their country.

On Sunday, two members of U2 were personally invited by the president of this country to Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a sound scene at one of the city’s subway stations that was converted into a bomb shelter during the war. According to Irish Times, the duo’s duo includes U2 classics such as “With or Without You,” “Desire,” “Angel of Harlem,” and “Vertigo,” as well as a rendition of Ben E’s “Stand By Me” King whose title Bono replaced the title “I” with “Ukraine.” During the concert, Bono told the crowd, “The people of Ukraine are not just fighting for your own freedom, you are fighting for all of us who love freedom. We pray that you will enjoy that little peace soon. The couple was also joined on their impromptu stage by Ukrainian musicians who had to give up their instruments to join the army, including the singer. Taras Topolya from the Ukrainian band Antitila.

The two musicians also tweeted from the band’s official account before the performance, writing, “President @ZelenskyyUa invited us to perform in Kyiv as a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and so that’s what we had to do. “. Bono and Edge also previously expressed their support for the country by participating in the Global Citizens “Stand Up for Ukraine” live stream, performing their song “Walk On”. At the time, the couple said, “The brave people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom – and for ours – in the face of unfathomable violence and an unjust invasion. More than 4 million people, mostly women and children, have fled to make a living – a population roughly the size of Ireland. World leaders must stand up and side with the Ukrainians now… those who are fighting and those who have fled… and stand with refugees everywhere who have been forced to leave their homes and lands. ”

Bono also previously wrote a poem about the invasion that was read aloud by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in commemoration of Saint Patrick’s Day. The poem describes Saint Patrick’s miracle and how he “casts out snakes” from Ireland. The singer notes that those snakes have now become symbols for “an evil that rises/and hides deep in your heart,” and, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, those snakes are now represents Vladimir Putin. “The sadness and pain of Ireland/now Ukraine,” he wrote. “And Saint Patrick’s name is now Zelensky.”