BRIAN BOYD in London
U2 MADE a surprise appearance on stage in London last night in support of the record label that first offered them a recording deal. Island Records has been celebrating its 50th anniversary with a week-long series of gigs in London and U2 made an unscheduled appearance at the Shepherd's Bush Empire venue in between sets by Baaba Maal and Cat Stevens, who was introduced on stage by Bono.
The band joined Sengalese singer Baaba Maal for a version of their One song before performing a cover version of Bob Marley's One Love. The band then played a version of their hit Vertigo.
U2 have often spoken of their huge debt to Island, which signed them in 1980 after a series of other labels turned them down. The band's success in the mid-1980 largely kept Island afloat. The venue they played in only fits 1,000 people but they received an ecstatic reception.
U2 will make an appearance on tonight's Late Late Show before beginning their world tour in Barcelona at the end of June.