U2 Say Eagles of Death Metal Will Not Perform With Them in Paris on Sunday
Despite reports that surfaced last week indicating that Eagles of Death Metal would be joining U2 onstage during their rescheduled concert in Paris on Sunday, the Irish rockers released a statement denying that will happen. U2 did, however, promise a different surprise guest.
The band posted, "We're back in Paris and it's great to be here. Some people have been saying that Eagles of Death Metal will appear on stage with U2 tonight. This is not the case. We have another surprise guest planned for tonight's show."
Sunday’s show is the first of two concerts U2 will play in Paris after they were forced to postpone their shows in the city on Nov. 14 and 15, following a series of terrorist attacks that left 130 people dead.
“So much that was taken from Paris on the tragic night of Nov. 13 is irreplaceable,” Bono said last month in announcing the rescheduled shows. “For one night, the killers took lives, took music, took peace of mind – but they couldn’t steal the spirit of that city. It’s a spirit our band knows well and will try to serve when we return for the postponed shows on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7. We’re going to put on our best for Paris.”
Eighty-nine of the 130 victims were killed at an Eagles of Death Metal concert at Le Bataclan music venue. Following the attack, U2 provided Eagles of Death Metal members with phones and met with the band before leaving Paris.
“Jesse [Hughes, Eagles of Death Metal frontman] took me through every moment,” Bono told the New York Times. “They really need proper counseling, though – not from a well-meaning Irish rock star. Because post-traumatic stress disorder is a real issue for people who go through these things. They’re going to come through fine, but it was pretty bad.”