© 2025 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bono and The Edge performed in a subway station in Kyiv, Ukraine

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "WITH OR WITHOUT YOU")

U2: (Singing) With or without you. With or without you.

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

That's Bono and The Edge from U2 performing Sunday in Kyiv. The Irish musicians played in support of Ukraine on an invitation for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Here's Bono speaking through an interpreter.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

BONO: We were not expecting this invitation from President Zelenskyy...

UNIDENTIFIED INTERPRETER: (Non-English language spoken).

BONO: ...To come to this extraordinary place. But we are here to serve. And, he calls, we come.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

U2 played an acoustic set to a small crowd gathered in a metro station, one of the safer places in the capital.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

BONO: The people of Ukraine are not just fighting for your own freedom. You are fighting for all of us who love freedom.

INSKEEP: And they invited a Ukrainian musician onstage with them. Here's Taras Topolia, lead singer of the rock band Antytila.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

TARAS TOPOLIA: Of course, it's a huge opportunity for us to sing with the legends. And of course, it's a huge opportunity for us to tell the world the truth about our war.

MARTÍNEZ: Topolia is one of many Ukrainian civilians, including artists, who have picked up arms to defend their country. Back in March, he told Al Jazeera why.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

TOPOLIA: Months ago, I just want to play the music, to make people happy and to give the light, you know, from - light from the heart. Now I need to defend all of my friends, all of my colleagues.

INSKEEP: Now, at the concert, he noted that their subway station had served as a shelter from Russian attacks. And then in that station, he joined the members of U2 for a rendition of "Stand By Me."

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

TOPOLIA: This stationed covered a lot of people from the bombs. And now, in this station, U2 covering all of the world with their love.

(APPLAUSE) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.