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Legendary rock band U2 have been named this year’s recipients of the Woody Guthrie Prize, an honour recognising artists who use their platform to champion social justice and inspire positive change. The award was presented to the Irish icons at a special ceremony held last night at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma, home to the Woody Guthrie Center.
The Woody Guthrie Prize is an annual accolade that celebrates artists who reflect the values and activism of the late American folk icon. It’s given to those who have proven themselves to be, as the Center describes, “a champion for the voiceless with an understanding of how a platform can be used to shine a light on our world, showing us what needs to be fixed and how to fix it.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Cady Shaw, senior director of the Woody Guthrie Center, praised the band for their decades of advocacy and their consistent use of music as a vehicle for awareness and unity.
“U2 embodies the mission of the Woody Guthrie Prize, using music to confront injustice and inspire action,” she said. “By presenting the 2025 Woody Guthrie Prize to U2, we honour a legacy of music that continues to challenge who we are and connect us the world over.”
Formed in Dublin in 1976, U2, made up of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., have built a remarkable career defined not only by chart-topping hits but also by their commitment to humanitarian causes. From advocating for debt relief in developing countries to championing human rights and global health initiatives, the band has long been recognised as one of the most socially conscious acts in music history.
Credit: instagram.com/woodyguthriecenter/
At the Tulsa event, Bono and The Edge delivered an intimate acoustic performance that left the audience captivated. They performed stripped-down versions of U2 classics One, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and Running to Stand Still, songs that perfectly encapsulate the band’s history of weaving political commentary and emotional depth into timeless melodies.
The duo also paid tribute to Woody Guthrie himself with a heartfelt rendition of Jesus Christ, one of Guthrie’s most poignant songs, known for its reflection on hypocrisy and compassion. Their performance was met with a standing ovation, highlighting how seamlessly U2’s ethos aligns with Guthrie’s enduring message of truth and justice.
For U2, this award represents yet another milestone in a career that continues to blend activism with artistry. Over the years, they’ve received numerous honours not just for their music but for their humanitarian work, including Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award and the Global Citizen Artist of the Year title.
In his acceptance speech, Bono reflected on the power of music to unite people, saying, “Woody Guthrie taught us that a song can be a call to action. We’ve tried, in our own way, to follow that path, to make noise that means something.”
As they accepted the prize to rapturous applause, the band reaffirmed their belief that rock ’n’ roll can still be a force for good. In true U2 fashion, their message was clear: music is not just about entertainment, it’s about empathy, connection, and change.
The honour places U2 among a distinguished list of previous recipients, including Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, and John Mellencamp, all artists who, like Woody Guthrie, used their voices to speak for those who could not.
For fans and followers alike, U2’s recognition with the Woody Guthrie Prize serves as a powerful reminder of the band’s continued relevance, not only as musicians but as activists using their art to illuminate the human condition.
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