U2 return to Mount Temple for surprise anniversary gig

U2 have returned to their former school in Dublin for a special performance marking 50 years since the band first came together.

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr took to the stage at Mount Temple Comprehensive School shortly after 2pm, performing for students and staff at the school where their story began.

It comes 50 years to the day since, on 25 September 1976, a group of teenagers gathered at Mullen's home on Dublin’s northside after he placed a notice on a school board looking for musicians.

Those teenagers would go on to become one of the world's biggest bands. Half a century later, the four members made their way back up the familiar driveway at Mount Temple to perform for a new generation of students.

Before they took to the stage Alice Cooper's School's Out blared over the loud speakers to huge cheers.

U2 opened their performance with Out of Control, a song which appeared on their first release U2-3, in 1979.

Excitement was building in the school halls all morning ahead of the performance, with rumours of the band’s return having circulated during the week.

Among those in the audience were young members of Music Generation, the national music education programme which has been supported by U2 and The Ireland Funds.

The homecoming comes a day after U2 announced Carnaval De Luz, their first studio album in nine years, which will be released on 13 November.

New track Silencio is out now.

More to follow...