U2 will begin its residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere with at least one new song to perform: “Atomic City,” a Vegas-themed tune that is expected to be released on or before the band’s Sept. 29 opening-night show. Filming a music video, the foursome repeatedly played through the song Saturday while positioned on a flatbed trailer that had come to a halt on Fremont Street in the city’s neon-filled downtown area.
And by foursome, we do mean the full, original lineup, with Larry Mullen Jr. on drums. Although the founding drummer is sitting out the Sphere residency for health recovery reasons — Bram van den Berg will take his place at the shows — Mullen was in tow alongside the other three on the trailer that rolled through town, having apparently also taken part in the recording session that took place earlier for “Atomic City.”
The site U2songs.com collated on-the-scene reporting from fans capturing video of the downtown Vegas shoot, publishing full lyrics for the song as well as video snippets of the performances and Bono’s comments. Las Vegas Review Journal entertainment columnist John Katsilometes was also on hand and provided copious video coverage of the shoot as well as a print report.
“The four of us recorded the song. Sadly, Larry Mullen Jr. won’t be with us at the Sphere,” Bono told the crowd, per Katsilometes’ report in the Review Journal. “He doesn’t listen to doctor’s orders… Neither do many of us. But he is here tonight … Give it up for Larry Mullen Jr.!”