U2 conclude tour with triumphant set in Mumbai

U2's show at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium was the final stop on their continent-spanning The Joshua Tree Tour. Over two years the lads have played to almost 3 million fans around the world in just 66 shows throughout 2017 and 2019, taking in Europe, North & South America, Australia, Japan and long overdue first-time visits to India, Singapore, South Korea and the Philippines.

Last night, legendary composer A.R. Rahman joined the lads on stage in Mumbai to perform a new track ‘Ahimsa’ in celebration of the band’s first visit to India. The performance also featured the debut appearance of Rahman’s daughters - Khatija Rahman and Raheema Rahman, along with singer-songwriter Rianjali Bhowmick - all of whom also feature on the track.

‘Ahimsa’ – the Sanskrit word for non-violence – is the new track from U2 and A.R. Rahman celebrating the spiritual diversity of India. The collaboration was released less than one month ahead of U2’s first-ever show in India with the arrival of The Joshua Tree Tour in Mumbai on 15 December 2019 and has peaked across all streaming partners in the region.

Speaking on the experience, A.R. Rahman said “Performing with U2 in Mumbai, in a way, was celebrating Mahatma Gandhi and his world revered faith, Ahimsa. We are touched by U2’s stand against injustice, for women empowerment and for goodness in this world. The collaboration with U2 on ‘Ahimsa’, comes at a very appropriate time, while the whole world celebrates 150 years of the Mahatma, the message of Ahimsa needs to reach every nook and corner. This is also a debut performance for my daughters, Khatija and Raheema, singing in a rock concert. I hope the people who came for the concert enjoyed the performance!”

Speaking about the band’s visit to Mani Bhavan – Gandhi’s former home - ahead of the show, Bono told the crowd - ‘We come to India as pilgrims… Like so many over centuries… We come in search of the great soul Gandhi…. We are students… you are our teachers…'.