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The Edge has recalled U2’s 2006 visit to Carnival in Salvador, Brazil, with Gilberto Gil and Quincy Jones, describing how the experience informed the band’s interest in pairing spirituality with celebration. That perspective helped inspire Carnaval De Luz, due November 13, 2026; U2 is scheduled to play four São Paulo shows in March 2027.
U2 guitarist The Edge says the band’s experience of Carnival in Salvador, Bahia, in 2006 helped inspire the ideas behind Carnaval De Luz, U2’s upcoming album. In an interview with Brazilian radio station 89 FM, he recalled visiting the festivities with Bono, Gilberto Gil and Quincy Jones, a connection that links the record to the band’s planned return to Brazil in 2027.
The Edge said Gil and Jones introduced the musicians to Carnival during the trip. “We were in Bahia with Quincy Jones and Gilberto Gil, and they said, ‘We’re going to show you Carnival,’” he recalled. The group watched Salvador’s trios elétricos—large sound trucks central to the city’s Carnival celebrations—from a balcony. Bono later joined Brazilian singer Ivete Sangalo during her performance, an appearance documented in U2’s official archives.
The guitarist described U2’s interest in Carnival as rooted in the way it brings together religious tradition and exuberant celebration. He said the band was drawn to the possibility of connecting “these two different sides of U2’s identity: this spiritual search and celebration.” His account presents the trip as an influence on the album’s creative outlook, rather than as the sole source of its material.
Brazilian influence is also reflected in the album’s songs. Rolling Stone Brasil reported that bassist Adam Clayton discussed Brazilian roots in “Silencio” during an interview with the television program Fantástico. Bono has expressed excitement about performing the song in Brazil. Carnaval De Luz is scheduled for November 13, 2026, and is U2’s first album of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience, according to the source report.
Brazil’s Influence on U2’s New Record
The recollection adds detail to how U2 is presenting Carnaval De Luz: its connection to Brazil is not limited to a song title or tour stop, but includes an experience the band says shaped its thinking about the album. The contrast The Edge described—spiritual searching alongside celebration—offers listeners a clearer account of the idea U2 hopes to bring together.
The connection also gives added meaning to the band’s scheduled São Paulo dates. U2 is due to perform four concerts at MorumBIS stadium in March 2027, after the album’s release. The band’s comments about “Silencio” and Bono’s stated interest in performing it there make the shows a likely point of attention for fans, although the source does not confirm a set list.
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From Salvador in 2006 to São Paulo
The trip took place in Salvador, Bahia, during Carnival in 2006. The Edge’s account places Gil and Jones in the role of guides, showing U2 the city’s festivities. Bono’s appearance with Ivete Sangalo provides another documented point of contact between the band and Brazilian popular music from that visit.
U2 announced Carnaval De Luz in September 2026, with a release date of November 13. The album is the band’s first new-material release since Songs of Experience in 2017. Its release is set to precede The Greatest Show On Earth World Tour, which is scheduled to begin in Mexico City in February 2027 and include dates across the Americas and Europe.
The announced Brazil leg consists of four São Paulo concerts on March 10, 12, 14 and 16, 2027. The source report also says a track was inspired by Spanish singer Rosalía, while clarifying that she does not perform on it. Those details place the Brazilian influence within a broader album and tour campaign rather than suggesting that the record is solely a tribute to Carnival.
““We were in Bahia with Quincy Jones and Gilberto Gil, and they said, ‘We’re going to show you Carnival.’””
— The Edge, speaking to Brazilian radio station 89 FM
Album Details Still to Come
The source material does not specify the full track list, the complete creative process behind Carnaval De Luz, or how much of the album draws directly on the 2006 visit. The Edge described the trip as an influence on U2’s ideas, but did not characterize it as the album’s only inspiration. It is also unclear whether U2 will perform “Silencio” at any of its scheduled Brazilian concerts; Bono’s enthusiasm about playing it is not confirmation of a set-list decision.
The available reporting does not include a full transcript of The Edge’s radio interview or additional direct comments from Gil, Jones or Sangalo about the encounter. Tour dates and album plans are presented as scheduled; changes or further announcements are not addressed in the source material.
Album Release and 2027 Tour
The next stated milestone is the release of Carnaval De Luz on November 13, 2026. U2’s scheduled tour begins in Mexico City on February 23, 2027, with four announced performances there before the band travels to São Paulo. The Brazil dates are listed for March 10, 12, 14 and 16.
Listeners will be able to hear how the album develops the themes The Edge described when it is released. U2 has also said it plans to perform in Brazil, but the source material does not provide a confirmed set list or further details about what the band will play at the São Paulo shows.
Key Questions
What did The Edge recall about U2’s 2006 Brazil trip?
He recalled visiting Carnival in Salvador, Bahia, with Bono, Gilberto Gil and Quincy Jones. He said Gil and Jones showed the group the festivities, which U2 watched from a balcony before Bono joined Ivete Sangalo during her performance.
How did the trip influence Carnaval De Luz?
The Edge said U2’s fascination with Carnival’s combination of religious tradition and celebration helped inform the album’s ideas. He did not say that the trip was the record’s sole inspiration.
When is U2’s new album due?
Carnaval De Luz is scheduled for release on November 13, 2026. It is described in the source report as U2’s first album of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience.
When will U2 play in Brazil?
U2 is scheduled to play four concerts at MorumBIS stadium in São Paulo on March 10, 12, 14 and 16, 2027. The source does not confirm which songs will be performed.
Source: consequence.net
