he synergy between electronic dance music royalty and rock pioneers has reached its peak. After years of subtle crossovers, side projects, and high-profile team-ups, Martin Garrix and U2 have officially released their first-ever full-band collaboration, titled “Fireflies.”
The track made its explosive live debut just a week ago when Garrix brought U2’s legendary guitarist The Edge onto the main stage at Tomorrowland. Performing in front of tens of thousands of festival-goers, the duo gave the world its first taste of a project six summers in the making.
A Partnership Built Over Time
While casual listeners might see this as an unexpected crossover, the alliance between the Dutch DJ and the Irish rock icons has been quietly shaping up behind the scenes.
Martin Garrix & U2 Collaboration Timeline
2021
“We Are the People” (Euro 2020 Anthem feat. Bono & The Edge)
2021
“Your Song Saved My Life” (U2 / Sing 2 OST – Produced by Garrix)
2024
“Scars” (From U2’s ‘Easter Lily’ EP – Produced by Garrix)
2026
“Fireflies” (First full-band collaboration: Martin Garrix & U2)
Garrix’s history with U2 runs deep:
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“We Are the People” (2021): The official UEFA Euro 2020 anthem featured vocals from Bono and guitars from The Edge, setting the foundation for their creative dynamic.
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Soundtrack Work: Garrix produced U2’s cinematic track “Your Song Saved My Life” for the Sing 2 soundtrack.
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songwriting ties: Bono has lent his pen to Garrix solo tracks like “Angels for Each Other,” “Catherina,” and “Weightless.”
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EP Contributions: Garrix contributed production to “Scars” off U2’s recent Easter Lily EP.
However, “Fireflies” marks the first time Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. join the fold, making it a true, full-fledged Martin Garrix & U2 release.
Inside ‘Fireflies’
Co-written by Garrix, Bono, The Edge, and longtime collaborator Simon Edmund Carmody (who previously co-wrote “We Are the People” and U2’s Ukraine tribute “Yours Eternally” featuring Ed Sheeran), “Fireflies” blends Garrix’s signature festival energy with Bono’s anthemic vocals.
“You and me are fireflies made for summer skies / The light we have in our eyes, fireflies / Let’s forget the sun will rise / Meet me in the air tonight.”
— Bono (Fireflies chorus)
“The connection with Martin goes back a long way, and every time we get together, it always feels like a new adventure,” The Edge shared in a statement. Reflecting on their surprise festival set, he added, “Playing ‘Fireflies’ for the first time at Tomorrowland was an incredible rush… It reminded me why I love playing outdoors so much.”
Garrix was equally vocal about the experience of working with all four U2 members for the first time: “We started working on this six summers ago. Stepping onto the Tomorrowland stage with The Edge was surreal, but collaborating with the entire band allowed me to see their chemistry up close and understand why U2 is U2.”