U2's Larry Mullen Jr. unsure about full shows after neck surgery

U2 drummer and co-founder Larry Mullen Jr. says he does not know if he can play a full live show again after neck surgery.

Mullen Jr. discussed the injury and his uncertain future on stage in a Rolling Stone digital cover story, titled 'U2 Dream It All Up Again', published on 28 September. He has returned to recording sessions with the band, but told the magazine he is not sure he can handle full concerts, according to Yahoo.

Doctors raised the possibility of retirement. Mullen Jr. said they suggested he consider stopping because of a chronic congenital fusion in a facet joint in his neck, a small stabilising joint between vertebrae, which drumming had irritated, according to Billboard.

The problem built over years. Mullen Jr. said he stopped playing drums entirely during the COVID-19 shutdown because of soreness. The injury then worsened during the 2019 leg of U2's Joshua Tree anniversary tour. He was left in agony despite nightly treatment after each show.

His physiotherapist warned him he would not get through rehearsals for the band's Sphere residency in Las Vegas. Mullen Jr. sat out those 2023 and 2024 shows while recovering from surgery, which Rolling Stone described as risky. Dutch musician Bram van den Berg played drums in his place.

He watched from the crowd. In March 2024, Mullen Jr. attended a U2 show as an audience member for the first time, at a point when it was unclear if he would ever drum again.

Recording has moved forward. U2 are making a new album titled 'Carnaval de Luz', with Mullen Jr. back in the studio, according to Rolling Stone. The band has already released a new single titled 'Street of Dreams', reported by Rolling Stone Australia.

For fans, this means two things at once. New music is coming with its founding drummer involved. Live, the picture is still open.