Nine years. That's how long we've waited for a proper U2 album of new songs, and it lands this Friday. Meanwhile the European tour just went on sale, Latin America is already gone, and those of us in the States are still refreshing U2.com for North American dates. Here's everything you need to know heading into album week.
Carnaval De Luz arrives November 13
Carnaval De Luz is U2's 16th studio album and their first record of all-new material since Songs of Experience in 2017. It runs 12 tracks, and one of them carries real weight: "Torn" features Dolly Parton's final recorded vocal.
We've already heard three songs:
"Street of Dreams" (July 7) kicked off the campaign with a video shot in Mexico City.
"Silencio" came with the official album announcement in late September, right around the band's 50th anniversary.
"The Greatest Show On Earth" (October 15), co-written with Brian Eno, gave the tour its name.
The album also ties back to the two surprise EPs from earlier this year, Days of Ash (released on Ash Wednesday) and Easter Lily (Good Friday). Bono said back then the band was working toward a "noisy, messy" record built to be played live. Friday we find out if they pulled it off.
Listening parties this week
Record stores are hosting Carnaval De Luz listening parties from November 12 through 15. U.S. events run November 13 to 15, and participating shops will have a limited pink vinyl variant. If you collect, call your local store early. These won't last.
The tour: first stadiums since 2019
The official name is a mouthful: Carnaval De Luz presents: The Greatest Show On Earth World Tour. It's U2's first stadium run since the Joshua Tree Tour wrapped in Mumbai in December 2019. That's a long gap, with the Sphere residency in Vegas in between.
Latin America (with Beck)
The tour opens February 23, 2027, in Mexico City, then moves to São Paulo and Buenos Aires. Those are the only Latin American cities on the 2027 schedule, and every one of the originally announced shows has sold out.
UK and Europe (with Wolf Alice)
Twelve stadium shows, late April through early July. General sale opened Friday, November 6, at U2.com. Highlights:
Stockholm – Strawberry Arena, April 26 & 28 (leg opener)
Paris – Stade de France, May 5 & 8
London – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, June 18 & 19
Berlin – Olympiastadion, June 30
Milan – San Siro, July 5 & 6
Lisbon and Amsterdam are also on the run. Check U2.com for the full list and remaining tickets.
North America and Ireland: coming soon
The band keeps saying North American dates are "coming in the weeks ahead." No cities, no venues, nothing official yet. A homecoming in Ireland is also in the works. When those drop, the subscriber presale is your best shot, so if you're not on U2.com yet, now's the time.
Subscriber gift
Speaking of U2.com: this year's subscriber package includes a six-track Days of Ash CD, a print edition of Propaganda, and one of seven limited-edition posters.
What we're watching
First reactions to Carnaval De Luz on Friday
The North American tour announcement (we'll post dates the minute they're out)
Ireland homecoming details
Whether any of the new songs make the setlist alongside the classics
Fifty years in, and U2 are still making noise. Follow us on X at @u2tourfans and on Facebook for updates as they break.
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Meta description: U2's new album Carnaval De Luz drops November 13. Get 2027 Greatest Show On Earth tour dates for Europe and Latin America, plus North America news.
