On Monday night (Oct. 26), U2 took the stage at London's O2 Academy to resume the UK leg of their Innocence + Experience Tour and fans got a surprise when the legendary rock band pulled friend Noel Gallagher to the stage to assist them in a cover of The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love," as well as the U2 classic, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."
Toward the end of the band's set, Bono introduced the former Oasis member, who was wielding an acoustic guitar. "I'd like to bring out of one my heroes, one of the band's heroes to help us out with this next song. Will you welcome to the stage the high flying bird himself Noel Gallagher," said Bono to the audience. The U2 song sounded nice as a collaboration, however, the Beatles cover was a bit abrupt and scratchy, comparable to one of your horribly botched karaoke nights.
According to NME, Gallagher had been noticed earlier in the night in the VIP section.
It has also been mentioned that Bono had his typical socio-political agenda, making references to Europe's migration crisis throughout the night, projecting images of refugees and later commenting, "What do you want, a Europe with its heart open or its borders closed to mercy? I know what I want a place called home." He also commented on the Syria crisis. "Think of an island close to here where we have peace," said the singer. "Sing for the peacemakers of Ireland and transfer that wherever you want. For me tonight that is Syria."
U2 will continue their Innocence + Experience Tour through the end of November, in support of their 2014 album Songs of Innocence, playing a number of shows throughout Europe and Ireland. Noel Gallagher released a new album this year titled Chasing Yesterday with his band The High Flying Birds.
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