UPDATE July 14, 8:46 a.m.: About 20 minutes before midnight, as the Burren was packed with hopeful fans awaiting U2, the band tweeted out the following:
Hope you're enjoying the Guinness @burrenmusic in Somerville, but don't fall for tall stories about a certain band from Dublin showing up…
— U2 (@U2) July 14, 2015
The U2 tour continues tonight at TD Garden.
Move over, Keytar Bear — MBTA stations around the Boston area might get some unexpected star power tonight.
There’s a pesky rumor floating around that U2 are plotting a secret show — somewhere — around the Boston area. The idea, though very much unconfirmed by anyone, makes some sense, as the band are in town for a string of four shows at TD Garden, and tonight is the second of two days off before resuming the concerts tomorrow night in North Station.
So will U2 take it to the streets or the subway platforms? Or is a smaller secret club or pub show planned? We shall soon find out — and for most of us, by the time we find out, it’ll be too late.
UPDATE 7:23 p.m. EST: A lot of denials going around, on and off the record.
About that “U2 secret gig in Boston tonight” rumor, U2’s PR folks tell us it’s a rumor and “not happening.” #themoreyouknow
— atu2 (@atu2) July 13, 2015
UPDATE 5:02 p.m. EST: Secret Boston is saying the show could be at the Burren in Davis Square, Somerville. Make of that what you will. We’ve heard a bunch of stuff over the past few hours — including the notion there is going to be no show at all — so we stress that all of this are just rumors at this point.
Pretty reliable source says U2's surprise show today is at The Burren in Davis.
— Secret Boston (@SecretBostonHOT) July 13, 2015
But in the meantime, pay attention to the buskers you pass on your commute home tonight, especially if they’re busting out some rickety-ass cover of “Desire.” Or maybe go out to that Irish pub around the corner in Somerville or Cambridge, even if no one is listed on the calendar.
It could be Bono out there.
Or maybe not.
Anyone know anything about U2s rumored surprise subway concert today?
— Secret Boston (@SecretBostonHOT) July 13, 2015
Of course, when it comes to the subway, U2 have pulled this stunt before, taking to a New York City public transport platform a few weeks ago with the help of Jimmy Fallon. Maybe Conan O’Brien will help out with tonight.