U2 fans (including yours truly) were treated to a one-two punch of their much-missed Irish heroes Sunday and today.

On January 18, HBO broadcast the We Are One Inaugural Celebration, featuring such diverse performers as Beyonce, Usher, Jon Bon Jovi, and U2.

“What a thrill for four Irish boys . . . to honor you, sir.”

U2 have played to some magnificent backdrops–Slane Castle and Red Rocks among them–and the Lincoln Memorial was a fitting location for a moving rendition of “Pride (In The Name of Love).”  You could hear the emotion and the weight of the moment on Bono’s voice, and despite the bitter cold, every member of the band was beaming.  From there, the band segued into the soaring, hopeful “City of Blinding Lights,” which Bono dedicated to the man of the hour, President-elect Barack Obama.  A few creative lyrical changes only made the song more perfect for the moment.

Some have derided the Irishmen’s presence at the most American of celebrations, but I would argue no band has more faithfully and interestedly chronicled the American political and cultural experience of the past quarter-century like U2.  It’s most appropriate that they be present for this unprecedented time of change and rebirth.

If you missed the show, you can catch one of the rebroadcasts on HBO, or hbo.com.  Also, check out this YouTube video of U2’s performance.

Get On Your Boots

U2 followed their spectacular reemergence into the musical spotlight by releasing the first single from their forthcoming album, No Line On The Horizon, online.

You can listen to “Get On Your Boots” (and read the lyrics) for free at U2.com.