The reviews for U2's 16th album are starting to arrive and most have been broadly positive about Carnaval de Luz.

RTÉ's Alan Corr gave it four stars, describing an album of two halves with a sense of sanctuary and optimism, and a band reinvigorated rather than reinvented. Four (****) stars: https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/music-reviews/2026/1106/1598029-u2-carnaval-de-luz-get-ready-for-the-masquerade/

The Irish Times called it the freshest and most immediate U2 has sounded in ages, and said it was jolting to find the band still has something to say. Four (****) stars: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/review/2026/11/06/u2-carnaval-de-luz-review-irish-rocks-crazy-diamonds-shine-on-brighter-than-ever/

In his review for the Irish Independent, John Meagher described U2's Carnaval de Luz as an ambitious, frequently exhilarating but uneven comeback album, praising the Edge's inventive guitar work and standout tracks such as "The Greatest Show on Earth" and "Torn." Although he criticized Bono's lyrics for relying too heavily on vague spiritual platitudes, Meagher ultimately celebrated the album as a welcome creative resurgence that proves U2 is more than a nostalgia act. https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/music-reviews/carnaval-de-luz-review-u2s-ambitious-and-occasionally-exhilarating-album-is-let-down-by-coldplay-dull-lyrics/a/164042691.html

Record Collector found it flawed but fervent, sometimes trying to be all things to all fans with its many collaborators, but at its best when the band leaned on its melodic strengths and eased the pull between experimentation and stadium appeal. Four (****) stars:
https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/u2-carnaval-de-luz-review

Riff Magazine said the album channels the spirit of Achtung Baby at the right moment. 9/10: https://riffmagazine.com/album-reviews/u2-carnaval-de-luz/

XS Noize's Lori Gava gave it a 4.5 rating, calling it bold and varied, with a mix of familiar strengths and fresh sounds. She named "The Greatest Show On Earth" the best song, praised the techno-meets-pop opener "Go (Carnaval De Luz)," and called the closing Dolly Parton duet "Torn" a poignant and tender benediction, concluding that after 50 years the band still believes it has something to add. Four and a half (**** 1/2) stars: https://www.xsnoize.com/u2-carnaval-de-luz-review/

Uncut's Andrew Mueller gave it 8/10, saying the band were back and sounding vigorously like themselves. Drawing on Bono's liner notes, which call the album the third part of a triptych with the Days of Ash and Easter Lily EPs, he described the opener "Go" as a rousing electro-punk fanfare with echoes of Pop, and said U2 were back in readily recognizable form, if hard to pin down.

Mojo's Victoria Segal gave it four stars, calling it a defiant, hope-filled rush of color and sound that works against the world's misery and refuses despair. She said Larry Mullen Jr.'s return had the band back at full strength, praised the urgency of "Go (Carnaval De Luz)," and singled out the Dolly Parton duet "Torn" as a highlight. Ms. Segal was more critical of "Street of Dreams," which she called on-the-nose, and of "The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)," which she found uneasy.

Setlist:

Intro Music: Zooropa
1. The Unforgettable Fire - Waiting on a Friend
2. Bad - Ruby Tuesday - Sympathy for the Devil
3. Can't Stop Us Now
4. MLK
5. Pride (In the Name of Love)
6. The Greatest Show on Earth
7. In a Little While
8. One
9. COEXIST (I Will Bless the Lord at All Times?)
10. Beautiful Day - One Day Like This
11. With or Without You

Remarks:

U2 return to the stage on November 3, 2026, for an exclusive BBC Music concert at London's Tate Modern. Filmed before a small audience in an "artsy" setting, the special appearance is the third full band show promoting U2's sixteenth studio album, "Carnaval de Luz," coming out on November 13. U2 had previously performed at Mt. Temple and Bewley's on Sept. 25th commemorating their 50th anniversary. The Tate Modern Museum show, with guests invited via a raffle, is organized to showcase music from throughout U2's career alongside material from their forthcoming album, providing a preview of the band's latest creative direction ahead of their 2027 world tour.

Tonight's performance is scheduled to air on BBC Two later in November, while BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds will broadcast the concert on November 30, accompanied by a new interview with the band hosted by Jo Whiley. Spotted in the audience tonight are Noel Gallagher from Oasis and Mayor Sadiq Khan. Special guest Brian Eno joins the band on the stage for the end of "With or Without You," but not before The Edge chants his name as he receives a rousing applause from the audience. While performing onstage, Eno's experimental artwork, 77 Million Paintings, are digitally projected behind the band while local art students lounge around on bean bags.

Not a single person is allowed to enter the museum with a phone and attendees are given pouches to lock their smartphones. Several photos are leaked however, possibly shot by a fan who is wearing Meta Glasses. The official press release for this event can be viewed here.