On November 22, 2004, U2 delivered a quintessential New York City musical moment with a surprise free concert in Brooklyn's Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. Staged with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and the downtown Manhattan skyline as a dramatic backdrop, the performance was a grand public celebration for the release of their eleventh studio album, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," which came out that very day.
The event capped off a memorable day for the band and the city. Earlier, U2 had been filming the music video for their single "All Because of You" on a flatbed truck driving through the streets of Manhattan, creating a buzz that culminated in this powerful waterfront show. The concert, attended by an estimated 5,000 fans, was filmed for an MTV special, capturing the raw energy of the band feeding off the ecstatic crowd. The setlist was a dynamic mix of brand-new material and beloved classics, featuring tracks like "Vertigo," "City of Blinding Lights," and "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own," alongside timeless anthems such as "I Will Follow" and "Beautiful Day." This performance was a classic U2 gesture: a massive, stadium-caliber rock show brought directly to the people in a raw and unforgettable urban setting.