U2 Turns 50: Fans Gather in Memphis for a 2026 Anniversary Meetup

Host Alice welcomes Scott Calhoun and Verlinda Henning to the Rock and Roll Field Trip podcast to discuss U2’s 50th anniversary and a fan-organized meetup in Memphis, May 15–17, 2026.

They reflect on the band’s longevity, the excitement around two surprise EPs (Days of Ash and Easter Lilly) and Propaganda issues, and why fans are eager to reconnect in person.

Verlinda, a Memphis native, and Scott explain Memphis’s deep musical and civil-rights significance, including U2’s Rattle and Hum-era ties to Sun Studio, Graceland, and the National Civil Rights Museum at the former Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

They preview community-centered meetup plans—group discussions, sightseeing, a fan showcase, and a service project—and describe how U2 fandom provides friendship, civic engagement, and personal meaning.

00:00 Fans Who Found Family

00:29 Welcome to Memphis Meetup

02:34 New Music for Year

4:57 Why Memphis Matters

08:44 Choosing the Host City

10:19 Accents and Local Flavor

11:38 Weekend Schedule Highlights15:35 What Fandom Means

19:15 How Far to Follow U2

21:40 Join In Anywhere

23:21 Podcast Farewell

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Mentioned in this episode:

Meet Up Details: https://u2conference.com/memphis26/