U2's 'Songs of Innocence': Bono sends note to Dave Fanning continuing tradition of DJ getting first play of their albums

U2 made a surprise appearance at the Apple iPhone 6 launch tonight but the first full airing of the new record was played on 2fm by Fanning 

RTE radio broadcaster Dave Fanning was sent a note from Bono continuing the tradition of the DJ getting the first play of any new album they release. 

 U2 made a surprise appearance at the Apple iPhone 6 launch tonight and it is U2's first in five years. 

 The 11-track new album is available to iTunes customers for FREE. 

 It makes it the largest album release of all time, and will be available in 119 countries. 

 Bono wrote a note for the DJ who the band have always given the first airplay of all their albums. 

 He said: "For the attention of right and always honourable Dave the raving lunatic Fanning on the occasion that U2's 13th studio long player Songs of Innocence being dropped into his hands. 

 "Therefore honouring ancient tribal custom and verbal agreement. 11 new songs from the era of pirate radio."

Frontman Bono joked at the Apple iPhone 6 launch about the band’s long-delayed follow-up to 2009’s No Line on the Horizon, saying that there were multiple albums recorded that didn’t quite cut it for the group.

He added that he wanted U2’s new album, which was finished “as of this time last week,” to be “as good as our very best work.”

The album includes 11 tracks and the iTunes page for the album says it is “rooted in the band’s early and lifelong influences including The Ramones, Bob Dylan and The Clash”.

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