Irish rock band U2 made a surprise return to their roots on Friday by performing an impromptu concert and class session at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, where the group originally formed half a century ago. The band played a seven-song set for hundreds of students gathered in the schoolyard, including an encore of their 1987 hit “With or Without You.” Others nearby, including a construction crew in an adjacent building, also caught the performance.

Lead singer Bono addressed students with lighthearted remarks, jokingly referencing science classrooms before the band launched into their set. U2’s origins trace back to the school when drummer Larry Mullen Jr., then a 14-year-old student, posted a note seeking musicians to form a band. The group, initially called Feedback, included Bono (born Paul Hewson), guitarist The Edge (David Evans), and bassist Adam Clayton. They eventually adopted the name U2 and released their debut album “Boy” in 1980, which featured “I Will Follow,” the first song they performed during the surprise event.

Although the concert was presented as a surprise, it was accompanied by a camera crew and drew international media attention. A highlight of the event was a collaborative performance of the band’s anthem “One,” featuring 32 students who played string instruments alongside U2. Following the schoolyard set, the band continued to engage with fans by performing from a balcony overlooking Grafton Street, a popular shopping district in central Dublin.

Students enthusiastically joined in, singing along and capturing the moment on their phones, while some shouted affirmations of affection for Bono. In his remarks, Bono acknowledged the band’s deep connection to the school, describing it as the site of their “humblest and hardest lesson” — learning how much there was still to discover and master. He expressed gratitude to the teachers and broader community, highlighting the formative role they played in shaping the band’s early years and providing the foundation for their enduring success.

“Part of that started here,” Bono reflected, “and the sense was that maybe all we needed was around us, just under our feet — if we could see it in our mates, our wider community that was going to help us get through the next 50 years.” The unexpected visit served as both a celebration of U2’s enduring legacy and a tribute to the educational and social environment that helped launch their influential career.