Those who attended a special event hosted by the Woody Guthrie Center at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa last week knew they were there to see the band U2 win the prestigious Woody Guthrie Prize and to expect a discussion with band members about U2’s music , activism and legacy.

They did not expect what happened after Bono and The Edge accepted the prize on behalf of the band for its music and activism – The Edge picked up a guitar and Bono stood in front of a microphone, and the two played six songs of an acoustic set.

“We don’t do royalty in Ireland, but if there was royalty in America, it would be the (Woody) Guthrie family,” Bono said before playing “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

The evening was full of meaning, community and connection in Tulsa’s historic music venue, where U2 last pla

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