U2 Performs Surprise Gig at Haiti Benefit

U2 fans starved for news had a terrific weekend. Beyond reports of a new album-related Super Bowl advertisement, as well as leaked clips from the Danger Mouse sessions that may or may not have been broadcast in a hangar of some sort – if you got creative, you could make out an aircraft nearby – U2 also made an appearance at Sean Penn’s third annual Haiti benefit. Consistently hosted on the eve of the Golden Globes, last night’s gala was a particularly lucrative benefit, raising an impressive $6 million for the J/P Haitian Relief Organization and U2 kept spirits high with performances of “I Will Follow,” “Vertigo” and “Desire.”

 ”It’s been a while since we played a hotel lounge,” Bono quipped to the crowd at the Montage Hotel, which included stars such as Julia Roberts, Uma Thurman and a likely thrilled Chris Martin. “”I think the last time was a bar mitzvah.”

In general, this was the first time U2 had performed as a full band in quite some time; their last performance was in May, an unplugged take on “Sunday Bloody Sunday” performed from the rooftop of Electric Lady Studios. In the meantime, most U2-related appearances simply featured Bono, Edge or both. The duo did also perform separate of U2 last night, alongside Haitian singer Anaelle Jean-Pierre.

Though Bono joked last weekend at the Palm Springs International Film Festival that the band “doesn’t get out much,” it appears that this may be a baby step in returning to the spotlight before the release of their new album.