U2 win 2025 Woody Guthrie prize

U2 have been selected as the 2025 winners of the Woody Guthrie Prize, an award presented annually to artists whose work embodies Guthrie's values of social consciousness and activism.

The band will be formally honoured at a ceremony on October 21 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bono and The Edge are expected to attend in person to accept the award.

The prize, overseen by the Woody Guthrie Centre, recognises individuals and groups who use their platform to speak out against injustice and advocate for positive social change.

In its announcement, the Centre highlighted U2’s long-standing record of activism alongside their musical career, pointing to their involvement in campaigns for human rights, debt relief, HIV/AIDS awareness and global poverty reduction.

"U2 embodies the mission of the Woody Guthrie Prize by using music to confront injustice and inspire action," said Cady Shaw, senior director of the Woody Guthrie Center.

"By presenting the 2025 Woody Guthrie Prize to U2, we honour a legacy of music that continues to challenge who we are and connect us the world over."

Since forming in Dublin in 1976, U2 have become one of the world’s most successful bands, with more than 170 million records sold and 22 Grammy Awards.

Beyond their commercial success, they have been noted for their political and humanitarian efforts, often weaving social themes into their music and live performances.

The Woody Guthrie Prize was first awarded in 2014 and has previously gone to artists such as Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Tom Morello, Mavis Staples, Kris Kristofferson and Pussy Riot.

This year marks the first time the prize has been awarded to a band rather than an individual artist.