XTRACTS FROM U2 X-RADIO
XTRACTS FROM U2 X-RADIO
XTRACTS FROM U2 X-RADIO

XTRACTS FROM U2 X-RADIO

Chris Rock, David Byrne, Phoebe Robinson & Bryan Stevenson among the guests in Episode 1. Listen Now.

30 Sep 2020

XTRACTS FROM U2 X-RADIO​  

It's live… the debut episode of 'Xtracts', ninety minutes of U2 on the airwaves, capturing conversation and music from the opening weeks of U2 X-Radio. 

Cait O'Riordan, who presents the station's weekly 'Rocky O'Riordan Show', is our host as David Byrne tells Edge about his Broadway stage-show American Utopia, Matthew McConaughey and Phoebe Robinson spin their favourite U2 tracks and Chris Rock addresses Seven Questions - and three interjections - from Bono.

One of the key topics of conversation in Episode 1 of Xtracts is racial injustice and the Black Lives Matters Movement. Writer and comedian Phoebe Robinson explains how 'Pride (In The Name of Love)'  'changed my life' and Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine and AudioSlave talks with Edge about this 'historic moment'.  'This country is born of racism and has never reckoned with that…'

But something is changing believes comedian and filmmaker Chris Rock who says this year's worldwide #BLM protests have 'given me some optimism about institutional racism.'
'When I see the mix of people out on the street… this dedication… every day out there…  I'm more optimistic about white people in general… especially the young ones…'

Maybe that's because 'the real action' as Bono puts it, reading his fan letter to Patti Smith, 'lies in the hearts and minds of the people.'

What kind of people should we be interviewing, is the question asked by broadcaster and writer John Kelly, presenter of the channel's Sunday show Elevation, which celebrates the worlds of science, medicine, faith and the arts. People, says Edge, like campaigning civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson.

'I'm just persuaded that there is something better waiting for us,' explains Bryan,  'Something that feels more like freedom and equality and justice... that is still waiting for us if we have the hope and conviction. But we can't do that without the struggle…'
 
The struggle usually finds a song, and in the civil rights movement the C18th hymn Amazing Grace became one of those songs. Judy Collins tells John how she realised the power of the song when she campaigned with voting and women's rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. 'A song that drew many people together...'

Hope you enjoy this first highlights show from U2 X-Radio - here's more about the channel's 24 /7 U2 programming. Tell us what you think in the comments below.

In the US or Canada? Stream Sirius free for a limited period.

MORE NEWS

ALL NEWS
'CARNAVAL DE LUZ' - New Album In November.
RECENT ALBUMS

The band's first studio album in nine years will be released on November 13th. Silencio, second track from...

24 SEP 2026
It’s Arrived (with a surprise)
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVES

The Days of Ash Propaganda Magazine & EP bundle is here… complete with a bonus Easter Lily edition...

17 SEP 2026
'2027 Persons of the Year'
HEARTS + MINDS

Band to be honoured by Musicares for 'five decades of musical achievement and humanitarian service'

10 SEP 2026
’Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah’
COMPILATIONS

Release of Pogues cover today, Friday, from stellar line up for '20th Century Paddy - The Songs Of...

28 AUG 2026
'Fireflies'
COLLABORATIONS

Out today!  Martin Garrix teams up with U2 on new track 'Fireflies', debuted live with Edge at Tomorrowland...

24 JUL 2026
'In a place called Mexico…'

Behind-the-scenes with band and crew on the shoot for 'Street of Dreams'.

17 JUL 2026
Street Of Dreams - The New Single is Here.
SINGLES

Listen to Street of Dreams, the first single from the band's upcoming studio album.

07 JUL 2026
’BALLROOM BOOM’
TV

'Ballroom Boom' screening at the Galway Film Fleadh this Thursday.

07 JUL 2026
What a wonder. They're calling it "The Obamalisk"
BONO

Bono and Edge performing City of Blinding Lights at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in...

22 JUN 2026
Live From The Obama Presidential Center

Watch live on Thursday as Bono and Edge join artists performing at the Opening Ceremony for the Obama...

17 JUN 2026
U2 at the Street Child World Cup final in Mexico City

The band meet the players on the final day of the Street Child World Cup in Mexico City.

28 MAY 2026
'Don't abandon your dreams'

We asked four fans to tell us what happened at the secret video shoot in Mexico City.

22 MAY 2026
SHOWING 12 OF 4767 STORIES KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE ↓

Related Topic

LATEST COMMENTS

THE NEW ALBUM
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The new album. Out 13 November 2026.

PRE-ORDER

SUBSCRIBE TO U2.COM

Special editorial and video, exclusive newsletters and events, 25% coupon for the shop and first access to ticket sales when the band tour.