Why is Larry Mullen Jr. not playing with U2?

Larry Mullen Jr., Co-founder of the Irish band U2 will miss one year of his career due to injuries sustained at his elbows, knees, and neck. He is set to undergo surgery soon. However, he has been replaced by Dutch drummer, Bram van den Berg, in the meantime.

“My body is not what it used to be physically. Like next year, I won’t be performing live next year. I don’t know what the band’s plan is. There’s talk of all kinds of things,” Mullen said in 2022.

He might miss the upcoming show by the band; a limited concert in September 2023 to open MSG Sphere at The Venetian in the Las Vegas Valley dubbed U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at the Sphere.

In 1996, when the band was recording their album Pop, Mullen suffered intense back problems, therefore, the recording was delayed due to surgery.

Due to his injury, the team resorted to using electronic drum machines to develop the album; resulting in the album having more of an electronic feel.