Jimmy Fallon And U2 Go Undercover In NYC Subway To Put On Street Performance

Mar 19, 2020 by apost team

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is known for all sorts of segments featuring celebrities, but one of the most exciting is when famous musicians go undercover and busk in the New York City subway. For this latest edition, Jimmy Fallon joined forces with Irish rock stars U2, as they all donned disguises and performed at New York's 42nd Street station to a crowd of unsuspecting onlookers.

From start to finish the moment was captured on video, including via a so-called spy cam that was disguised as a pair of black wraparound sunglasses that Jimmy Fallon wore himself.

Beginning away from the public platform, Fallon introduces the undercover operation alongside U2 and is seen putting on his disguise comprised of facial hair, dark sunglasses and a cap. U2 are already in character beside him, with Bono donning blonde hair and a cowboy hat, guitarist The Edge wearing a long wig and headband, bass guitarist Adam Clayton also in a long wig, while drummer Larry Mullen Jr. is covered up in a New York hoodie pulled over his head.

apost.com

The group is then seen walking onto the platform ready to play, while Jimmy puts down a guitar case asking for money and begins trying to round up onlookers by yelling in a thick New Yorker accent: "Guys give money, support your local artists. If you like what you hear, give them some money, some local artists here. They play birthdays, they play Bar Mitzvahs, they'll play your party."

U2 then begins shakily playing "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" –– as if they really are a busking band playing a cover of a U2 song. The crowd obviously has no idea that the band is the real U2 at this point, and offer a lukewarm response to the band's shaky start. 

Jimmy comes in and exclaims: "It's not working this way guys, no no no. Plan B everybody, plan b," as he begins to take off his disguise. As a well-known New Yorker, the crowd begins cheering as they recognize Jimmy. He then introduces U2 properly as the onlookers continue cheering.

The band changes gears and takes off their disguises to reveal their true selves, before launching into a high energy acoustic version of their hit song "Desire". At this point, the audience has their phones and cameras out and begin dancing and singing along. The energy is magnetic and everybody appears to be having a great time on the platform, as Bono interacts with the crowd while the entire band puts on a great show –– for free! The show eventually ends with Jimmy thanking U2 and the crowd going absolutely wild at this once-in-a-lifetime concert. 

Having performed together since 1976, U2 are not only well experienced at their craft but they're one of the rare bands that have managed to develop their style with huge success, going from post-punk to anthemic stadium rock. That's in no small part to the band's individual and collective talents, including Bono's spiritual and sociopolitical lyrics and The Edge's richly textured guitar riffs

Are you a fan of U2? How would you react if your favorite band unexpectedly starting busking at your local train station? Let us know in the comments and pass this on to any family and friends who are big fans of U2.