U2 will receive the key's to the City of Dublin Ireland in early 2000. The award is being given to the pop band in recognition of their contribution to their home town. Dublin's Mayor Freehill stated that "Despite their international success, they continue to live, record and plan their world-class campaigns here, U2 placed Dublin on the map as an attractive destination for many young music lovers who would never have visited Ireland otherwise. The band are always quick to support the city's charities and cultural initiatives."

The band will be given the "Freedom of Dublin" award sometime in the new year. U2 has used their fame to not only promote their home town, but in support of many causes involving human rights. Lead singer Bono has had major involvement in NetAid and Jubilee 2000, using his fame to help rally support to United Nations initiatives to aid world wide poverty and to convince the worlds leading nations to write off the debt of the third world. 

U2 is currently hard at work on their next studio album. According to reports the next cd will be a return to the bands earlier style, which relied heavily on the bass and guitar to drive the sound of their music.

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