U2’s Surprising Subway Busking Performance Stunned NYC

U2, the globally renowned Irish band, took an unconventional approach on The Jimmy Fallon show by participating in off-the-cuff sketches and pranks. In a unique twist, Fallon had them dress in disguise and perform a busking session in the 42nd Street Subway station in Manhattan, New York, deviating from the typical trajectory of aspiring musicians gaining fame through street performances and online platforms like YouTube.

As the video started, Fallon set the stage for his audience. While he donned his disguise, he explained that U2 was about to go down to the platform to play, catching everyone off guard. He then put on sunglasses equipped with a hidden camera, known as the U2cam, to capture both the performance and the reactions of the crowd.

As they arrived at the station, Jimmy began to loudly promote the band in a distinct New York accent. He introduced them as local New Yorkers in need of donations, offering to perform at parties, weddings, or bar mitzvahs. On another occasion, Linkin Park also had a busking session in the same train station. You can check out in the video below, which has amassed over 21M views:

Then, the band started playing their hit song “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Initially, the crowd only casted a few curious glances in their direction, continuing with their daily routines. However, after a minute or two, the rawness and power of Bono’s voice became impossible to ignore.

As the crowd began to gather, Fallon interrupted the performance and declared that it wasn’t working, suggesting they needed a plan B. He removed his disguise and introduced the band. Unsurprisingly, the crowd went wild! After all, who would have expected to stumble upon a massive band like U2 on the subway platform during their commute home from work?

The band concluded their performance with a beautiful acoustic rendition of “Desire.” The crowd clearly adored it, cheering, clapping, and even singing along. Undoubtedly, everyone present that day felt fortunate to have witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime event, thanks to a fortunate stroke of luck.