Watch U2 Play ‘October’ For the First Time in Nearly 26 Years

Last night (July 18), arena rock legends U2 kicked off their eight-night residency at New York City's Madison Square Garden. During their career-spanning set, the band treated fans to a performance of their 1981 hit "October," a song they haven't performed in nearly 26 years. You can watch fan-filmed footage of the track above.

The song, which appeared on their 1981 LP of the same name, was last performed in New Zealand during their Lovetown tour in November of 1989. It was just Bono and "the Edge" on piano who performed the dark track. Written by Bono, the song is reminiscent of the dreary vibe of the early '80s. Without most of the backing band, the performance puts the song on display in its most vulnerable form.

U2's current Innocence + Experience tour has unearthed a few other ancient tracks, some never-before heard live. "In God's Country," which appears on the band's fifth studio, 1987's The Joshua Tree, was played for the first time in 14 years live in Phoenix. They also performed "Gloria," also appearing on October, for its first time in nearly 10 years.