The legendary Irish rock band U2 has officially been named the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize honorees, joining an elite list of artists who have used their music to champion justice, equality, and human rights. The prestigious award will be presented on January 1, 2026, at the historic Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in an exclusive event presented by the Harper House Music Foundation.
The Woody Guthrie Prize, named in honor of the American folk icon Woody Guthrie, is awarded each year to musicians and artists who embody Guthrie’s enduring message: using art as a force for change and hope. Previous recipients include Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Mavis Staples, and Joan Baez — all artists whose voices have echoed Guthrie’s ideals. This year, the honor extends across the Atlantic to U2, whose decades-long career has blended timeless rock with deep social conscience.
U2: A Band with Purpose and Passion
For more than forty years, U2 — comprised of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. — has used its global platform to advocate for peace, justice, and human rights. From the political turbulence of Sunday Bloody Sunday to the unifying power of One and Beautiful Day, their songs have spoken to the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit.
“Woody Guthrie believed that songs could change the world — and so do U2,” said Deana McCloud, executive director of the Woody Guthrie Center. “This award honors artists who carry forward Woody’s vision of compassion and courage through music. U2’s lifelong commitment to humanitarian causes, their activism, and their ability to reach across borders through song make them the perfect recipients.”
The award ceremony will be highlighted by a special conversation and acoustic performance by Bono and The Edge, who will accept the prize on behalf of the band. It will be an intimate evening celebrating both Guthrie’s and U2’s shared belief that music has the power to unite, heal, and inspire change.
Bono: “Woody’s Voice Still Echoes in Every Song That Demands Justice”
In a statement released by the band, Bono expressed his deep gratitude for the honor and reflected on Guthrie’s enduring legacy.
“Woody Guthrie didn’t just sing about the world — he sang to the world,” Bono said. “His songs carried truth, pain, and hope in equal measure. They still echo today in every song that demands justice, that refuses to look away. To be honored in his name is to be reminded why we picked up guitars in the first place — to tell the truth, to give people a voice, to stand with them.”
The Edge, known for his introspective view of music’s role in society, added, “Woody’s songs were a bridge — between people, between generations, between struggles. We’ve always believed that music could build those bridges too. Receiving this prize is both humbling and inspiring, and we hope to continue carrying his message forward in our own way.”
A Night of Reflection, Legacy, and Music
The exclusive January 1st event at Cain’s Ballroom — a venue steeped in American music history — will feature live performances, archival footage, and personal reflections from Bono and The Edge. A portion of proceeds will go toward Woody Guthrie Center educational programs, which promote the use of art and music as tools for social awareness and cultural understanding.
The Harper House Music Foundation, which has partnered with the Guthrie Center for this year’s event, emphasized the global significance of honoring a band like U2. “Their music has been a soundtrack for social consciousness for over four decades,” said James Harper, foundation president. “This is not just a recognition of what U2 has done, but what they continue to do — using music to speak truth to power.”
Continuing a Legacy of Impact
From performing at Live Aid in 1985 to advocating for global poverty relief through the (RED) and ONE Campaign, U2’s activism has gone hand in hand with their artistry. Their work has influenced generations of musicians and activists alike — making the Woody Guthrie Prize not only a fitting tribute but a continuation of a legacy that began with Guthrie’s guitar and a dream of equality.
As anticipation builds for the event, fans around the world have flooded social media with messages of pride and admiration. Hashtags like #U2WoodyGuthriePrize and #SongsForChange are trending globally, with many calling the award “a long-overdue recognition of music that moves the world.”
In the words of Bono, “We’ve always believed that the loudest sound in the world is the human heart when it’s telling the truth. Woody heard that heartbeat in America — and we hear it everywhere. This prize is not just for U2. It’s for everyone who believes a song can still change the world.”
On January 1, 2026, as U2 takes the stage in Tulsa, that heartbeat — the sound of truth, justice, and unity — will echo once more, linking Guthrie’s America and U2’s Ireland in a shared melody of hope.