Surrender Promotion

Original Story by Aaron J. Sams (2022-11-26)

First Printed: June 16, 2022
Last Updated: November 26, 2022

Please note: A “Stories of Surrender” tour has been announced. This will feature 14 performances by Bono, joined by Jacknife Lee and Kate Ellis. A separate show page for these dates has been set up, and also includes the promotional appearances below that include performances.

Surrender was released at the start of November, with a release date of November 1 in most areas.

We’ll keep a running tally of promo appearances and interviews as they crop up.

Bookstore Signings

  • 2022-11-29 Tipos Infames (C. de San Joaquín, 3, 28004 Madrid)
  • 2022-11-26 Ici Librarie (25 boulevard Poissonnière, Paris)
  • 2022-11-24 Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus (Friedrichstraße 90, Berlin, Germany)
  • 2022-11-23 Gutter Books (20 Railway Rd, Dalkey, Ireland)
  • 2022-11-19 Chorlton Bookstore (506 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester, England)
  • 2022-11-18 Rough Trade East (Old Truman Brewery 91, Brick Ln, London, England)
  • 2022-11-17 Waterstones (153-157 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, Scotland)
  • 2022-11-12 City Light Booksellers (261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA)
  • 2022-11-10 Parnassas Books (3900 Hillsboro Pike #14, Nashville, TN)
  • 2022-11-01 McNally Jackson (52 Prince St., New York, NY)
  • 2022-11-01 Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway at 12th Street, New York, NY)
  • 2022-10-31 Uncle Bobbie’s (5445 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA)

Bono has been dropping into bookstores unannounced, with little advance warning. We will try to keep a list above. The first known was in Philadelphia where Bono has been rehearsing for his upcoming Stories of Surrender tour. The McNally Jackson store is the store mentioned in a Hallowe’en themed video released on U2’s social media channels on Oct. 31.

Television and Radio

  • 2022-11-28: France Inter (RadioFrance): Bono interviewed (Listen)
  • 2022-11-27: Che Tempo Che Fa (RAI Television): Bono to be interviewed and performs.
  • 2022-11-26: Cadena SER: Bono interviewed by Javier del Pino (Listen)
  • 2022-11-26: Billy Sloan Show (BBC Radio Scotland): Bono interviewed by Billy Sloan (Listen)
  • 2022-11-16 Unlocking Us with Brene Brown (Podcast): Bono is interviewed by Brene Brown (Part 2/2) (Listen)
  • 2022-11-16 Unlocking Us with Brene Brown (Podcast): Bono is interviewed by Brene Brown (Part 1/2) (Listen)
  • 2022-11-10 Q (CBC): Bono is interviewed by Tom Power (Watch)
  • 2022-11-05 The Brendan O’Connor Show (RTE Radio One): Bono is interviewed by Brendan O’Connor in a pre-taped interview (Listen)
  • 2022-11-03 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS): Bono will be interviewed and will perform (Show Page)
    (Watch Interview: Clip 1 | Clip 2 | Clip 3 | Watch Performance | Listen Extended Interview: Apple | Spotify | Amazon)
  • 2022-11-02 Canvas (PBS News Hour): Part two of a two part interview (Watch)
  • 2022-11-01 Canvas (PBS News Hour): Part one of a two part interview (Watch)
  • 2022-11-02 Person to Person with Norah O’Donnell (CBS): Longer version of interview from CBS Sunday Morning (Watch)
  • 2022-11-01 Calling Bono (U2 X-Radio): Host Bill Flanagan interviews Bono
  • 2022-11-01 The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show (BBC Radio 2): Bono will appear (Listen)
  • 2022-11-01 Good Morning America (ABC): Bono will appear. (Watch)
  • 2022-10-30 CBS Sunday Morning: Bono will be interviewed by Norah O’Donnell on CBS Sunday Morning (Watch/Read)
  • 2022-10-30 NPR Morning Edition: Extended version of Bono’s conversation with Rachel Martin available via Podcast (Listen)
  • 2022-10-28: The New Yorker Radio Hour (NPR) David Remnick Speaks with Bono at The New Yorker Festival (Listen)
  • 2022-10-28 The Graham Norton Show (BBC): Bono will appear in an appearance taped on October 27, 2022. (Clip)
  • 2022-10-27 NPR Morning Edition: Bono was interviewed by Rachel Martin (Watch)
  • 2022-10-25 RTE News: Bono sets out on book tour following launch of memoir ‘Surrender’ (Listen | Watch)

In Print and Online

  • 2022-11-05 Vogue Magazine: “‘We Were Equal Partners in an Adventure We Hadn’t Figured Out’: Bono Reflects on His 40-Year Marriage” (Excerpt)
  • 2022-11-05 The Star: “A Front Row Seat to the Band’s History” (Excerpt)
  • 2022-11-03 The New York Times: “The Book That Hastened Bono’s Puberty, in a Good Way” (Interview)
  • 2022-11-03 Irish Central: “Bono in his own words in ‘Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story’”
  • 2022-11-03 Vulture: “Bono Embraces His Contradictions in ‘Surrender’”
  • 2022-11-02 AnOther Mag: “On Power, Privilege and Performance” (Interview)
  • 2022-10-31 Entertainment Weekly: “Bono shares the story behind U2’s ‘Beautiful Day’” (Excerpt)
  • 2022-10-31 The Atlantic: “Bono’s Great Adventure” (Interview)
  • 2022-10-31 Axios: “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (Excerpt)
  • 2022-10-30 The Times: “I’ve always felt like an imposter” (Interview)
  • 2022-10-29 Vulture: The 13 Best U2 Stories From Bono’s Memoir, Surrender
  • 2022-10-28 CBS News: The Tour Bus (Excerpt)
  • 2022-10-26 People Magazine: Bono on His 40-Year Marriage with Ali Hewson (Interview)
  • 2022-10-25 RTE News: Bono on home ground as he prepares for book tour (Interview)
  • 2022-10-24 The New York Times: Bono Is Still Trying to Figure Out U2 and Himself (Interview)
  • 2022-10-22 The Guardian: Bono on the birth of U2, that iTunes album and Live Aid (Excerpt)
  • 2022-10-22 The Irish Times: “I have spent my life looking for the blessing of father figures” (Interview)
  • 2022-10-22 The Irish Times: “Ali would have been happier with a simpler life” (Excerpt)

Reviews

  • 2022-11-16 Inside Hook: “‘Surrender’ May Actually Make Bono Skeptics Change Their Minds
  • 2022-11-10 The Daily Mail: “Book that might change your tune on Bono”
  • 2022-11-10 The Star: “Rock star Bono’s memoir tells his remarkable story in 40 songs”
  • 2022-11-08 CNN: “Bono’s new book is more than a rock memoir. It’s also a powerful tribute to America”
  • 2022-11-08 iNews (UK): “A self-aware story of love, music and mullet regret”
  • 2022-11-07 Hot Press: “Surrender is a life story brilliantly told”
  • 2022-11-06 The Guardian: “From Boy to Mandela”
  • 2022-11-06 The Times: “Who knew Bono was so likable?”
  • 2022-11-05 Toronto Star: “Offers a front row seat to his, the band’s history”
  • 2022-11-05 NPR: “What’s making us happy”
  • 2022-11-04 The Globe and Mail: “Bono gets candid in his memoir Surrender – and publishing it terrifies him”
  • 2022-11-03 Irish Examiner “For U2-watchers, it was no surprise Bono and co made it”
  • 2022-11-02 The New Statesman: “Surrender: praying in the church of Bono”
  • 2022-11-01 Business Post: “Surrender: Insightful deep dive into the extraordinary life of Bono”
  • 2022-11-01 AARP: “10 Best Revelations from Bono’s ‘Surrender’ Memoir”
  • 2022-10-31 USA Today: “Bono memoir covers heart surgery, drinking with Sinatra and more”
  • 2022-10-31 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Bono’s pursues his truth in memoir ‘Surrender’”
  • 2022-10-30 The Washington Post: “Bono’s memoir is as rambling, fascinating and maddening as he is”
  • 2022-10-30 The New York Times: “Bono, With or Without U2”
  • 2022-10-29 The Guardian: “A rattling good yarn”
  • 2022-10-29 RTE: Sinead Crowley reviews his autobiography
  • 2022-10-29 The Irish Times: “Heartbreak and lust for life, love and music”
  • 2022-10-29 The Telegraph: “Has any rock superstar written a more revealing biography”
  • 2022-10-29 Irish Independent: “Bono’s honesty will win over his harshest critics”
  • 2022-10-29 The Times: “Less annoying than you think”
  • 2022-10-20 Los Angeles Times: “Bono humbles himself in a new memoir”

Please Note: Some of the reviews above are behind a paywall. We are unable to provide access to these items.

Tour Reviews

Dublin:

  • 2022-11-22 The Irish Times: ‘God, that’s great’ Bono Reveals his most intimate self before a who’s who of Irish life
  • 2022-11-22 RTE Culture: Bono delights Dublin with his Stories of Surrender
  • 2022-11-22 The Independent: Home fans give Bono a rapturous welcome as U2 frontman brings his book tour to Dublin with night of story and song
  • 2022-11-22 Entertainment.ie: Live Review: Bono – ‘Stories of Surrender’ @ 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin

Manchester:

  • 2022-11-20 The Bolton News: Review: Bono – Stories of Surrender at Manchester Apollo

Glasgow:

  • 2022-11-18 The Scotsman: Bono – Stories of Surrender, Armadillo, Glasgow

London:

  • 2022-11-22 The Indiependent: “Stories of Surrender”- How Bono Came To Terms With Being A Man: Review
  • 2022-11-17 SoMagNews: Bono at a concert in London: U2 frontman enlivens his memoirs with songs and fascinating stories
  • 2022-11-17 NME Magazine: U2 frontman brings his memoir to life with songs and fascinating stories
  • 2022-11-17 iNews.co.uk: Bono’s ‘Stories of Surrender’ pays magical homage to the rock star’s wife and father
  • 2022-11-17 The Guardian: Bono review – U2 frontman’s pared back ‘solo in Soho’ show is a triumph
  • 2022-11-17 The Times: Bono: Stories of Surrender review — Father still looms large in his moving tale

Los Angeles:

  • 2022-11-14: The Hollywood Reporter: “Colin Farrell, J.J. Abrams Among Stars in Attendance for Bono’s ‘Stories of Surrender’ L.A. Tour Stop”
  • 2022-11-14: The Daily Mail: “If Bono still hasn’t found what he’s looking for, what chance for the rest of us?”
  • 2022-11-14: The Music Universe: Bono wraps ‘Stories of Surrender’ book tour in Los Angeles

San Francisco:

  • 2022-11-13: SF Chronicle: Fans ‘Surrender’ to Bono and his power of storytelling during S.F. book stop
  • 2022-11-12: Riff Magazine: Bono tender and open-hearted at Orpheum book tour stop

Nashville:

  • 2022-11-10 The Knox News: Bono performs his life story onstage at The Ryman

Chicago:

Toronto:

  • 2022-11-07 The Toronto Sun: U2 frontman Bono thrills in Toronto at only solo Canadian date

Boston:

  • 2022-11-05: WZLX Radio: Inside Bono’s Boston Appearance Onstage to Promote his Book
  • 2022-11-05: The Boston Globe: With tales to tell and songs to sing, Bono brings his book tour to the Orpheum
  • 2022-11-05: Telegram & Gazette: A modern-day Orpheus: U2’s Bono brings ‘Stories of Surrender’ to life on Boston stage

New York:

  • 2022-11-04: Associated Press: Bono opens book tour before adoring fans at Beacon Theatre
  • 2022-11-03 USA Today: U2’s Bono launches book tour with songs, stories and stars; thanks Nancy and Paul Pelosi
  • 2022-11-03 Variety: Bono’s Impressive One-Man Show Remixes U2 Classics With Personal History: Concert Review
  • 2022-11-03 Ultimate Classic Rock: Bono launches ‘Stories of Surrender’ book tour in New York City

Bestseller Lists and Charts

  • Canada, Globe and Mail, Bestsellers Non-Fiction: #2 (November 12, 2022)
  • Canada, Retail Council of Canada, Independent Bestseller List: Overall (All Book Types) Bestseller: #13 (November 12, 2022)
  • Ireland, Eason’s: Bestselling Non-Fiction: #1 (November 5, 2022)
  • USA, The New York Times: Hardcover Non-Fiction: #2 (November 10, 2022)
  • USA, The New York Times: Combined Print & E-Book Non-Fiction: #2 (November 10, 2022)
  • USA, Publisher’s Weekly: Top Hardcover Frontlist NonFiction: #2 (November 10, 2022)
  • USA, Publisher’s Weekly: Top 10 Overall: #5 (November 10, 2022)
  • USA, USA Today: Bestsellers, Non-Fiction: #2 (November 10, 2022)
  • USA, USA Today: Top 150 Weekly Best Sellers: #8 (November 10, 2022)
  • USA, Indiebound Independent Booksellers Non-Fiction: #3 (November 10, 2022)
  • USA, Amazon Charts: Top 20 Most Sold Non-Fiction: #2 (November 6, 2022)
  • USA, Amazon Charts: Top 20 Most Read Non-Fiction: #16 (November 6, 2022)

Animated Videos

Earlier Completed Events

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

  • Bono’s memoir is announced: surrendermemoir.com
  • Animated video of Bono reading from chapter titled “Out of Control”
  • Book will be released on November 1, 2022 (In English, and in several translations)
  • An audiobook version will be available digitally and on CD.

Friday, May 13, 2022

Sunday, June 19, 2022

  • Dalkey Book Festival: “Two Fathers Two Friends
  • “On Father’s Day, two fathers, two friends, talk about crafting poems, songs and the process of writing. A conversation between Bono and Paul Muldoon.”
  • Bono reads from the chapter titled “Beautiful Day”
  • The reading takes place at Finnegan’s Pub, in front of a small audience.

  • Video footage from RTE including Bono reading from his book.
    Sunday, June 26, 2022 11:15am (UK Time)
  • BBC Radio 4: “Desert Island Discs
  • Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Friday, July 1, 2022 09:00am (Repeat – UK Time)

  • BBC Radio 4: “Desert Island Discs
  • Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

  • New video animation released for Bono and Ali’s 40th anniversary featuring the chapter “Two Hearts Beat as One

Thursday, September 1, 2022

  • Bono writes a piece about Gorbachev in Time Magazine
  • The piece is adapted from a chapter in Surrender

September 21, 2022: Dreamforce Conference

  • Registration Information
  • “Art, Activism & ‘Surrender’” featuring Marc Benioff and Bono
  • Lead singer of U2, cofounder of (RED) and ONE and author of upcoming new memoir “Surrender”, Bono is an original Trailblazer. Hear from him on what fuels his passion for music, art, justice and life.
  • Session is scheduled to start at 6pm Eastern / 3pm Pacific

Friday, October 7, 2022: The New Yorker Festival

October 11, 2022: Song for Someone Video Released

  • In a tie-in with Rolling Stone, an animated video for “Song for Someone” dealing with the early days of the band was released via YouTube.
  • A sneak preview of a video was shared with fan websites on October 10, 2022.
  • The video can be viewed here.

October 16, 2022: Cheltenham Literature Festival 2022

Related Information

  • Songs of Surrender Discography Entry: A rumoured 40-track album of reinvented songs is due later this year or in early 2023 from U2, reimagining the 40 U2 songs Bono has used for chapter titles. Bono confirmed this album is coming on October 16 at the Cheltenham Literary Festival.

< Next News Entry | Previous News Entry >

u2songs.com was formerly known as u2wanderer.org. Follow us on Twitter | Facebook