The Irreverent U2 Podcast: Kissing Lips and Breaking Hearts with the Garden Tarts

U2 have released a joyful new cover of the Pogues’ “Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah”—or, as we are now calling it, The Yays—and the Garden Tarts have thoughts.

In this episode, Hillary and Jenny talk about U2’s light, playful take on the Shane MacGowan song for the upcoming 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan tribute album. They discuss the connection to producer Steve Lillywhite, why the cover’s childlike keyboard sound works for them, and why not every U2 cover needs to be heavy or “important.”

They also take a friendly but firm detour into the importance of checking sources before sharing U2 rumors, tour dates, album art, and supposed announcements. If it is not coming from U2 directly—or from a dependable source clearly labeling speculation as speculation—proceed with caution.

At intermission, listeners share moving, joyful, nostalgic, and occasionally spicy feelings about last week’s Cigar Box selection: “Beautiful Day.” From weddings, first homes, fatherhood, recovery, and graduation to questions about singles, setlists, and “Vertigo,” this conversation proves once again that U2 songs become part of people’s life stories.

Then Hillary reports back from a weekend with U2topia and Coldplay tribute act Back to the Start. There were thoughtful setlists, “Do You Hear Me Coming, Lord?” in “One,” “Shine Like Stars” woven into “With or Without You,” a brilliant Back to the Future-inspired opening, and a joint finale of David Bowie’s “Heroes.”

And finally: the Cigar Box has spoken. Next week’s song is “Zoo Station.”
In this episode
U2’s cover of the Pogues’ “Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah”
The upcoming Shane MacGowan tribute album, 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan
Why the Garden Tarts find U2’s version “adorable,” light, and fun
Steve Lillywhite’s connection to the Pogues’ original recording
U2 covers we love, covers we do not, and why that is okay
How to separate confirmed U2 news from rumors and misinformation
Listener memories and reactions to “Beautiful Day”
Why All That You Can’t Leave Behind remains emotionally tied to the era around September 11 for many fans
A lively “Beautiful Day” versus “Vertigo” discussion
Jenny’s U2topia concert recap
Coldplay tribute band Back to the Start and their Back to the Future entrance
A shared performance of David Bowie’s “Heroes”
The next Cigar Box pick: “Zoo Station”
Listener voices
Thank you to everyone who shared a “Beautiful Day” memory or opinion.

Your stories—from weddings and parenthood to recovery, new homes, and hard-won graduation days—made this week’s conversation especially meaningful.
Links and calls to action
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Kissing Lips and Breaking Hearts, a U2 podcast with the Garden Tarts, is created, produced, and edited by the Garden Tarts. Intro and outro music by December.

Side A brings the U2 news roundup, including reports of Bono’s involvement in the upcoming Free Nelson Mandela documentary, a Windmill Lane book in the works, U2’s participation in a Shane MacGowan tribute project, and Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno’s guest-producer roles on the next U2 album.

Then it’s show-and-tell time: a promo copy of War, a new U2.com hoodie, record-store dreams, and the challenge of finding Rattle and Hum on vinyl “organically.”

On Side B, the random-song cigar box delivers “God Part II.” We dig into why this compact, punchy, contradictory track may be less a Rattle and Hum outlier than an early signpost toward Achtung Baby. Plus, we share listener thoughts, from “brilliant song” to the gloriously concise “Belter,” and pick next week’s song: “Beautiful Day.”
In this episode
U2 news: tribute projects, producers, documentaries, Windmill Lane, and Bono’s message for Venezuela
Why Howie B., Jacknife Lee, Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno all belong in the same conversation
A gold-stamped promotional pressing of War
Why “God Part II” feels like a bridge to Achtung Baby
Listener takes on one of Rattle and Hum’s most overlooked tracks
Next week’s cigar-box selection: “Beautiful Day”

Follow the Garden Tarts on social media at @the_gardentarts, subscribe to the newsletter at thegardentarts.com, and support the show through Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee.

How big is big when it comes to U2?

This week, we dig into the astonishing attendance and box-office numbers behind U2’s touring legacy—from the 7+ million tickets sold during the 360° Tour to the nearly 150,000 people reportedly gathered for PopMart in Reggio Emilia. We talk Rose Bowl records, Wembley crowds, why some PopMart shows felt oddly empty despite the tour’s major grosses, and how ticket prices and inflation complicate comparisons across eras.

We also wonder: what is it really like for Bono to play for 20,000 people versus 150,000? And, if he could travel anywhere next, what might still be on his bucket list?

In this mini episode:

U2’s biggest tours by attendance and gross

The Rose Bowl, Wembley, JFK Stadium, and Reggio Emilia crowds

Why 360° became a touring phenomenon

Comparing U2’s live scale with the Eras Tour

A Bono Over Whiskey and Cake question about performing for massive crowds

Follow us at @the_gardentarts, sign up for the newsletter at thegardentarts.com, and please leave us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Can music help save lives? This week, The Garden Tarts talk about discovering Punk Rock Saves Lives at a local record show—and the inspiring work they do to make harm-reduction resources, mental-health advocacy, and blood stem-cell registry signups more accessible at concerts, festivals, and in communities.

We also discuss Love Hope Strength Foundation, the music-driven nonprofit co-founded by The Alarm’s Mike Peters. Their mission: saving and changing lives one concert, one step, and one helping hand at a time.
If music has ever made you feel less alone, this conversation is for you.

Learn more, get involved, or donate:
Punk Rock Saves Lives: https://punkrocksaveslives.org
Love Hope Strength Foundation: https://lovehopestrength.org
If you enjoyed this mini episode, please like, subscribe, share it with a music-loving friend, and leave us a comment: What music community or nonprofit inspires you?

#PunkRockSavesLives #LoveHopeStrength #TheGardenTarts #MusicSavesLives #TheAlarm #MusicCommunity #HarmReduction #Podcast

Welcome back to Kissing Lips and Breaking Hearts with the Garden Tarts! In this episode, Jenny and Hillary return after a short break to talk about two big music stories: the loss of Irish legend Glen Hansard (The Frames, Once) and U2’s new collaboration with Martin Garrix, “Fireflies.”

We dive deep into:
Glen Hansard’s legacy, from The Frames and Swell Season to Once and The Commitments
U2 x Martin Garrix “Fireflies” – first reactions, lyrics, production, and how it fits into U2’s sound
Fan theories: “Electrical Storm” vibes, “City of Blinding Lights” connections, and what this means for the next U2 album
Why some listeners say it “doesn’t sound like classic U2” (and why we disagree)
Our favorite moments in the track, including Edge’s guitar work and Bono’s vocals

If you love U2, Martin Garrix, or just great music conversation, this one’s for you.

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#U2 #MartinGarrix #Fireflies #TheGardenTarts #KissingLipsAndBreakingHearts #U2Podcast #MusicPodcast #GlennHansard #TheFrames #OnceMovie #NewMusic2026