U2 Earns Major VMA Nomination for “Atomic City” Sphere Song

Nearly a year has passed since U2 unveiled their first single of new music since 2021, “Atomic City,” which marked the start of their Sphere residency. The song has now earned the band a nomination for a VMA award, stirring excitement among fans and the music community alike.

MTV recently announced the nominees for the 2024 VMA awards. U2’s “Atomic City” is in the running for Best Rock Video. Other contenders in the category include Bon Jovi with “Legendary,” Coldplay’s “Feels Like I’m Falling in Love,” Green Day’s “Dilemma,” Kings of Leon with “Mustang,” and Lenny Kravitz’s “Human.”

The competition is fierce, but seeing U2 up for a VMA after such a long hiatus is a moment of recognition for the iconic band. Their last nomination at the VMAs dates back to 2009, when their performance of “Where the Streets Have No Name” was up for Best Video (That Should Have Won a Moonman). The band’s initial appearance in the VMA nominations was in 1985 for Best Group Video with “Pride (In the Name of Love).”

“Atomic City” made its debut on September 29, 2023, coinciding with U2’s first show at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The song is a tribute to the punk bands that greatly influenced U2, such as Blondie and The Clash. Debbie Harry and Giorgio Moroder were credited as songwriters due to the chorus’s resemblance to Blondie’s “Call Me.” Despite the familiar notes, U2 added their unique touch, with bassist Adam Clayton taking the spotlight.

This single is U2’s first since 2021 when they released “Your Song Saved My Life” for the Sing 2 soundtrack. Earlier in 2023, they brought out their fifteenth studio album, “Songs of Surrender,” which featured re-recorded tracks from their extensive back catalog.

“Atomic City” carries references to Las Vegas, fitting given the song’s release during their residency in the city, which was nicknamed Atomic City in the 1950s. Prior to the residency, U2 filmed a music video for the track, capturing scenes in Las Vegas reminiscent of their earlier video for “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Although Larry Mullen Jr. did not join the band for the residency performances, he made an appearance for the music video shoot.

The video for “Atomic City,” the one nominated at the VMAs, not only showcases the streets of Las Vegas but also gives glimpses of the interior of the Sphere. Bono sported his famous Fly glasses for the first time in years, an element he brought into the Sphere shows.

While victory at the VMAs isn’t certain, the nomination itself brings significant attention to “Atomic City” and affirms its place in U2’s legacy. Being acknowledged by a mainstream awards ceremony underscores the song’s impact.

U2 is a rock band from Dublin, Ireland, established in 1976. Over the years, they have released 15 studio albums, including legendary works like “The Joshua Tree” and “Achtung Baby.” Before the residency at the Sphere, U2 was renowned for their extensive touring. Since 2015, they have embarked on three major tours: the Innocence + Experience Tour, The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 (and its 2019 leg), and the Experience + Innocence Tour.

In the past decade, U2 has released three albums, each part of the “Songs of” series. It began with “Songs of Innocence” in 2014, followed by “Songs of Experience” in 2017, and most recently, “Songs of Surrender” in 2023.

Source: MTV, U2 Official