U2 were the 2025 recipients of the Woody Guthrie Prize, where they performed at the ceremony at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Tuesday night (October 21).
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The annual prize is awarded by the Woody Guthrie Center and is presented to an artist who reflects the spirit of the late folk icon by proving themselves to be “a champion for the voiceless with an understanding of how a platform can be used to shine a light on our world, showing us what needs to be fixed and how to fix it.”
Cady Shaw, senior director at the Woody Guthrie Center, said: “U2 embodies the mission of the Woody Guthrie Prize, using music to confront injustice and inspire action. By presenting the 2025 Woody Guthrie Prize to U2, we honour a legacy of music that continues to challenge who we are and connect us the world over.”
On stage, Bono spoke about the impact of Guthrie, his music, and his family, saying: “If there was royalty in America, it’d be the Guthrie family. Quite like the Kennedys, well, most of them. Careful with that Camelot.”
During the ceremony, Bono and The Edge also performed the band’s classics ‘One’, ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday‘, and ‘Running to Stand Still’. They also covered Woody Guthrie’s song, ‘Jesus Christ’.
The set lasted 45 minutes, and saw The Edge playing the acoustic guitar while Bono was on vocals. Other tracks they played included ‘Mothers of the Disappeared’, and ‘Pride (In the Name of Love)’.
In 2023, the prize was given to Pussy Riot, and in 2021, it was awarded to Bruce Springsteen. Other previous winners include Mavis Staples, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Morello, Chuck D and Joan Baez.
In other U2-related news, the band have spoken out on the conflict in Gaza, with Bono saying Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions “now feel like uncharted territory”.
After reiterating his condemnation of Hamas’ “diabolical” and “evil” actions, Bono turned his focus to the Israeli government, which he said “deserves our categorical and unequivocal condemnation”.
“There is no justification for the brutality [Netanyahu] and his far right government have inflicted on the Palestinian people…in Gaza…in the West Bank. And not just since October 7, well before it too…though the level of depravity and lawlessness we are seeing now feels like uncharted territory.”
This comes after Bono shared his thoughts on what he believes is the best way to achieve freedom earlier this year in an op-ed for The Atlantic, which he wrote ahead of receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the US.
Bono has also said that he is “ready for the future” with U2, and the band have “25 great songs for a new album“.