MusiCares Names U2 as 2027 Persons of the Year

On September 10 2026, MusiCares announced that the Irish rock quartet U2 will be honored as the 2027 Persons of the Year at its 36th annual benefit gala. The band—Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.—will receive the award on Friday, February 5, 2027, at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, just two nights before the 2027 Grammy Awards.

The decision follows U2’s 50th‑anniversary milestone and recognises a career that spans five decades, 22 Grammy wins and a record of humanitarian work. Bono, who was named MusiCares Person of the Year in 2003, will share the spotlight with his bandmates, highlighting the collective impact of the group.

MusiCares has presented the Person of the Year award annually since 1991, honoring individuals or groups that combine artistic excellence with philanthropy. Past recipients include Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith and the Grateful Dead. The foundation, founded in 1989 and incorporated in 1993, has distributed nearly $150 million in assistance through programs such as emergency financial aid, addiction recovery and hearing clinics.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, said: "We are honored to celebrate and recognize U2 as this year’s MusiCares Persons of the Year. Their impact goes far beyond the stage. Not only has their music defined generations, but they’ve been equally exemplary in their dedication to humanitarian work and using their platform for good."

U2 replied, "We are huge fans of MusiCares and the lifelines they provide across the incredible pool of talent that is the music industry. We’ve been recording and touring for 50 years because of that pool, from producers and engineers to carpenters and riggers. ‘Persons of the Year’ couldn’t be a better title as it’s the people we’ve been so fortunate to work with, and of course our indomitable audience, that have given us the opportunity to keep making music and keep rocking the boat on things we really care about." The band added a playful nod to the gala’s tradition of tribute performances, noting that they "know we’re gonna be outplayed."

The gala will feature a series of performances and tributes, a hallmark that has historically highlighted the honorees’ influence. While the 2027 lineup remains unannounced, the event’s proximity to the Grammys places it at the centre of the industry’s awards season.

U2’s recognition comes amid the celebration of their 50th anniversary. Formed in Dublin in 1976, the group has released 15 studio albums and sold an estimated 150–170 million records worldwide. Their catalog includes the 1987 landmark The Joshua Tree, which sold 25 million copies, and the 2004 release How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, both of which earned critical acclaim and commercial success. Beyond music, the members have partnered with Amnesty International, Jubilee 2000, the ONE Campaign and Product Red.

The 2027 Persons of the Year gala will therefore serve as both a celebration of U2’s artistic legacy and a showcase of their philanthropic impact. The ceremony will be broadcast to a wide audience, and the Recording Academy has indicated that a tribute segment will honor the band’s influence on the music community.

As the date approaches, MusiCares and the Recording Academy will likely release additional details about the program and tribute performers. For now, the announcement confirms that U2’s collective artistry and humanitarian work will be formally recognized at the 2027 gala.