European 2020, here is the anthem. Martin Garrix with Bono and The Edge

The Dutch DJ, chosen by Uefa for the official track of the European Championship: “I thought it was impossible to involve U2’s voice and guitar and instead …”. Three years of silent work, now a piece that finds new meanings after Covid

“Epic”. And the word suits us. To define it, to define how she imagines the first real live after the pandemic, is the Dutch Martin Garrix, at 24 one of the most famous DJs and producers on the planet, chosen by Uefa to compose We are the people (Sony Music), the song – official hymn of Euro 2020, with two names to which the epic adjective is suitable: Bono Vox and The Edge, symbolic voice and guitarist of U2.

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Three years in silence

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“When Uefa called me three years ago – he says – to ask me for the entire soundtrack I was excited, but also nervous. But they told me: ‘You have carte blanche, just let it be euphoric and entertain people, we are sure you will do something that reflects the atmosphere of the tournament’ “. Tournament that, needless to say, is colored orange: “Who wins? Holland “.

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L’idea

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Where does one start from for such a project? From a demo, an audition of the ones you keep there for the right occasion: “It reminded me of the sound of Bono and The Edge, but they seemed impossible to achieve. But my staff and Uefa said it was impossible just by not trying ”. And in fact: “When I was on the phone with Bono I muted my audio and exploded into a liberating scream, before turning the microphone back on. The music struck them immediately, I sent Bono my text proposal, he told me: ‘Here we have to work’. And he changed it all (laughs, ed), then the work in secret for three years – even if in recent days some draft had escaped – It was very hard to keep secrecy on such a beautiful thing “.

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A confronto coi big

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And in the wake of successes for events of this caliber – from Shakira to Ricky Martin, from Nelly Furtado to our Nannini-Bennato – there is something to tremble: “It’s a great challenge, but the result is incredible – continues Garrix – the text it is powerful: “We are the people we have been waiting for, beyond the rubble of hatred and war. Armies of lovers never seen before “. After Covid it is even more relevant ». Before Covid, however, Garrix, Bono and The Edge should have performed in Rome the night before Euro 2020. At the moment, except for sensational surprises, no live. But listening to just a few notes (HERE THE PREVIEW), the impression is that the piece will accompany us for months. And to think that her career inspired an opening ceremony: “In Athens 2004 I saw Tiësto (first DJ at a similar event, ed) and I said to myself: I want to do that”.

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