U2 honoured as MusiCares Persons Of The Year

U2 have been named as MusiCares Persons of the Year for 2027.

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr will be honoured at the 36th annual benefit gala - to be held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on February 5, 2027.

"Throughout their career, U2 has demonstrated the extraordinary power of music to bring people together, draw attention to urgent needs and inspire action," said Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares.

"Bono, The Edge, Adam, and Larry have each found meaningful ways to put their voices and resources to work for others, while together U2 has supported causes spanning global health, disaster response, addiction recovery, mental health, and access to music education. What resonates so strongly with MusiCares is their belief that success in music comes with an opportunity to care for the people around you."

In addition to 22 Grammy wins, more than 170 million albums sold worldwide and 50 years together as a band, U2 are also activists - first campaigning against apartheid in South Africa before they had a record deal.

In 2005, they received Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award. They also provided early and ongoing philanthropic funding for Music Generation, Ireland's national music education programme.

Bono co-founded sister organisations ONE and (RED) to pressure governments and businesses to do more in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty. In 2003, MusiCares also selected him as their Person of the Year.

Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, which hit the southern states of the US in 2005, The Edge co-founded Music Rising to replace instruments and equipment for musicians, schools and music programmes affected by the disaster.

Clayton has spoken openly about recovery and supported efforts focused on addiction and mental health, including Ireland's Walk in My Shoes initiative.

Meanwhile, Mullen Jr has brought attention to dyslexia and learning differences through his involvement as a producer of the documentary Left Behind.

"We are huge fans of MusiCares and the lifelines they provide across the incredible pool of talent that is the music industry," said U2. "We've been recording and touring for 50 years because of that pool, from producers and engineers to carpenters and riggers.

"'Persons of the Year' couldn't be a better title as it's the people we've been so fortunate to work with, and of course our indomitable audience, that have given us the opportunity to keep making music and keep rocking the boat on things we really care about."