U2 X-Radio, the much-anticipated all-U2 radio channel, will launch in North America this Wednesday, July 1, at 3 p.m. ET, on SiriusXM channel 32.
A complete immersion into the work and influences of the band, Sirius is promising an extraordinary and unique audio experience exploring the band’s history, idols, influences and current passions, plus inspiration, conversation, culture, commentary and ideas from the band and guests.
All curated by the band.
First week highlights include brand new shows and appearances from Bono, The Edge, Cait O’Riordan and Paul Oakenfold while special guests lined up to appear include Chris Rock, Phoebe Robinson, David Byrne, Matthew McConaughey and Bryan Stevenson.
Don’t live in the US or Canada? Details still to be confirmed but a monthly highlights show will bring the best of the channel to listeners in the rest of the the world. More news as soon as we get it.
'Radio introduced me to music so you could say that radio introduced me to my life,’ said Bono, ahead of the launch. 'It has kept me company all my life. Music dared me to dream outside the four walls of my childhood bedroom… Radio Caroline, Radio Luxembourg, all my heroes, far away at sea, pirate radio rocking me to sleep… Radio is all around, it is air you can be on… revolutionary sounds coming down to meet me on the airwaves… Music is everything to me, I like to sing and I have been known to talk… This will be a bit of both… From the Northside of Dublin, this is the U2 group on the radio.'
This round-the-clock U2 channel will cover music and features from across the four-decade career of the band, 'including their biggest hits, deep cuts, live concert recordings and rarities, as well as music from artists that are connected to or inspire the band.'
U2 X-Radio will also feature unexpected and entertaining conversations across music, culture, politics and art, in the form of new interviews and original programming, presented by guest presenters and band members, guest DJ sessions and more. U2 X-Radio will immerse listeners in the world of U2, introducing so many friends, old and new, fascinating stories, as well as artists, writers, thinkers and activists who are changing the world.
Edge and Adam have also been speaking about launching the band's own radio station.
Edge: 'Like most of the world, U2 find ourselves in a strange suspended moment. We can’t tour, we can’t even really get in a room and record together. U2 X-Radio gives us a chance to stay connected with our audience in a new way - to speak directly from our homes to listeners across North America. We are coming up with ideas every day - new music, new guests, new subjects to talk about. U2 X-Radio gives us a unique opportunity to engage in a sort of trans-Atlantic town hall. Bono said yesterday, ‘Can you believe we have a radio station to play with?’ Thanks to our friends at SiriusXM, U2 is going to be on the air and in your ears as much as you want us to be - even while the old world is changing around us.’
Adam talked about the spirit of the new station. 'I listen to a lot of radio, I like it as I always find it so informative. America was the land that took radio big and wide, to a whole other level, one that exposed listeners to new voices, ideas and concepts. That is the spirit in which we bring you U2 X-Radio. We hope you enjoy it.'
The team behind U2 X-Radio includes long-time creative director, artist and musician Gavin Friday, along with friend and radio host Bill Flanagan, author of ‘U2 at the End of the World’.
We’ll leave the last word to Larry: 'It all sounds exhausting to me but if people really want to listen to us for 24 hours a day, this is the way to do it.’
Stream SiriusXM free for a limited period.
Original programming on U2 X-Radio.
BONO CALLING: Bono explores seven questions about life, work, hope and the future with guests from every discipline, from world leaders to local activists to movie stars. First up, BONO CALLING CHRIS ROCK.
CLOSE TO THE EDGE: The Edge talks with fellow musicians, artists and thinkers. A series of revealing conversations about the creative process and more.
DISCOTHÈQUE: Electronic music pioneer, Paul Oakenfold, presents a weekend dance show featuring U2 remixes and club mixes alongside electronic music from other artists and friends for the ultimate summer soundtrack. (More Manchester than Miami!)
DESIRE: A show hosted by the U2 audience themselves. Each episode, a different voice will take to the airwaves to tell their own U2 story and play their five favourite tracks.
ELEVATION: A weekly show celebrating good news and ideas from the worlds of science, medicine, faith and the arts. Hosted by Irish broadcaster and writer John Kelly, ELEVATION will feature music and poetry; interviews with artists, activists, thinkers and scholars; plus the occasional member of U2. Upcoming guests include civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson (‘Just Mercy’).
(GUEST) PLAYS U2: Tune in to hear fellow artists and friends talk about their favorite U2 songs. First show - MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY PLAYS U2.
Plus, a weekly show from Irish DJ DAN HEGARTY on U2 X-Radio
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