Martin Garrix and U2 have finally unveiled “Fireflies,” a long-gestating collaboration that brings the Dutch EDM superstar together with all four members of the Irish rock icons for the first time.
Out now via Darkroom Records, the track blends Bono’s soaring vocals and U2’s arena-sized sensibilities with Garrix’s polished electronic production. It made its live debut last weekend during Garrix’s Tomorrowland headlining set in Belgium, where U2 guitarist the Edge surprised festival-goers by joining him onstage.
Although Garrix has worked with Bono and the Edge before — notably on the 2021 UEFA anthem “We Are the People” and more recently as producer of “Scars” from U2’s Easter Lily EP — “Fireflies” marks his first collaboration with the complete band.
“‘Fireflies’ has a very unique mood and it’s a special song we started working on six summers ago,” Garrix said. “It felt electrifying and very surreal to finally debut it at Tomorrowland with the Edge. I’ve worked with Bono and Edge before, but working with the whole band I got to get a glimpse of their chemistry and why U2 are who they are. They are incredible friends and collaborators, and it has been an absolute honor to work with them again.”
“We go back a long way with Martin, and there’s always a sense of adventure whenever we get together,” seconded the Edge. “Playing ‘Fireflies’ for the first time at Tomorrowland, in front of one of the most passionate festival crowds anywhere, was such a rush. In fact, I might have enjoyed it a bit too much. It reminded me of why I love playing outdoors. I like it better when there’s no ceiling.”
For Garrix, “Fireflies” continues a prolific run of blockbuster collaborations. He recently joined Madonna on “Bizarre” from her new album, Confessions 11, after premiering the song during his three-night Barclays Center stand, and earlier this year teamed with Ed Sheeran for the long-awaited single “Repeat It.” The producer recently wrapped the first leg of his largest-ever American headlining tour and will spend the remainder of the summer on the European festival circuit.
The collaboration arrives as U2 ramps up its next album campaign. Lead single “Street of Dreams” was released early this month alongside a music video filmed in Mexico City. The as-yet-untitled album will be U2’s first collection of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience. It follows this year’s pair of surprise companion EPs, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, which previewed the band’s latest creative chapter and marked drummer Larry Mullen Jr.’s return to the studio lineup after health-related struggles.