Who is the New Drummer for U2?

Longtime U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. remains in the band. He missed their 2023-2024 Las Vegas Sphere residency while recovering from surgery. The temporary replacement was Dutch drummer Bram van den Berg from the Dutch pop-rock band Krezip. U2’s announced 2027 tour lineup includes Mullen, rather than a permanent new drummer.

U2, a long-standing presence in rock music, has consistently delivered their unique sound and electrifying performances for decades. The surprising absence of Larry Mullen Jr., who has made significant contributions to the band over the last 40 years, shocked many fans. U2 introduced Bram van den Berg for that residency while Mullen recovered. That arrangement kept the shows going without making van den Berg a permanent replacement. The distinction matters when watching the Sphere videos below: they document a specific period in the band’s history.

• Larry Mullen Jr. remains U2’s drummer. Dutch drummer Bram van den Berg covered the 2023-2024 Sphere concerts in Las Vegas while Mullen recovered from surgery.
• U2 introduced Bram van den Berg as its temporary Sphere drummer, keeping the residency moving while Mullen took time to recover.
• Mullen took time away from those concerts to prioritize his health; the arrangement did not mean that he had left U2 or retired.
• Bram van den Berg, the Dutch drummer of pop-rock band Krezip, brought his song-focused playing to U2’s Sphere performances.
• This change was not permanent. Mullen is included in U2’s announced 2027 tour lineup, alongside the band’s other three longtime members.

Why is Larry Mullen Jr. Not Playing Drums for U2?

Despite his continuous presence in U2 since the band’s inception, Larry Mullen Jr. did not take his place behind the drum kit when the Irish rockers inaugurated Sphere in 2023. He was recovering from surgery. The band welcomed Bram van den Berg to play the residency, with Mullen’s support, rather than announcing that Mullen had left U2.

Mullen’s absence gave him time to recover after decades of demanding performances. At the time of the 2023 announcement, U2 described him as recovering from surgery and welcomed van den Berg into the drum seat. That public statement explains the temporary arrangement; it does not set a recovery deadline. Mullen is again named alongside Bono, the Edge and Adam Clayton in the band’s subsequent recording and tour announcements.

Who is Bram van den Berg?

Bram van den Berg, the drummer of pop-rock band Krezip from Netherlands, stepped in as Larry Mullen Jr.’s temporary replacement for the Sphere residency. Krezip, led by Jacqueline Govaert, originally formed in 1997 in Tilburg, Netherlands, and van den Berg joined the group in 2005. 

Notably popular in the Netherlands, Krezip is known for its Pinkpop performances and also enjoys recognition in other parts of Europe. Its catalogue continued beyond the five-album total quoted in older profiles. Releases listed on the band’s official site include What Are You Waiting For (2005), Plug It In (2007), Any Day Now (2023) and Music For Máxima (2024), so a fixed old album count gives an incomplete picture.

Van den Berg is from the small Dutch village of Wamel and initiated his musical journey by joining his first band, One in a Million, in 2001 while studying at the Fontys Rock Academy in Tilburg. In 2005, he made his debut with Krezip, and that same year, the band released its third album, “What Are You Waiting For?” In a 2005 interview with Drummerszone, van den Berg described himself as a “song drummer,” emphasizing his focus on serving the song rather than technical prowess.

In addition to his role in Krezip, van den Berg has drummed for other bands, including VanVelzen, Drive Like Maria, and Guild of Stags. He draws inspiration from various rock drummers, citing the likes of Roger Taylor, Taylor Hawkins, and Dave Grohl. Van den Berg’s approach centers on creating a full sound and prioritizing the song, a philosophy reminiscent of iconic tracks like Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” characterized by its memorable, audience-engaging rhythm.

Is this change permanent?

No, Bram van den Berg joined U2 as a temporary replacement for Larry Mullen Jr. at Sphere. The residency ran from September 29, 2023 to March 2, 2024, expanding to 40 shows rather than the earlier 20-show schedule. The video below is a historical example of that temporary lineup, not evidence that U2 has permanently changed drummers.

The earlier expectation that Mullen would return can now be replaced with a firmer reference: Live Nation’s 2027 tour announcement names Larry Mullen Jr. alongside Bono, the Edge and Adam Clayton. The Sphere arrangement gave him time away from those shows; it was not an announcement that he had quit the group.

Conclusion

U2’s Sphere residency involved a temporary lineup change while Larry Mullen Jr. recovered from surgery. Bram van den Berg, the accomplished Dutch drummer from Krezip, filled the drum seat for those Las Vegas concerts. If you are watching a Sphere performance, he is the drummer you will see; that does not make him Mullen’s permanent replacement.

The arrangement was unusual for U2 and surprised many fans, but it allowed Mullen to prioritize his health while the band completed the residency. Van den Berg’s performances remain an important part of that chapter. For the band’s next announced tour, the listed lineup again includes Mullen with his three longtime bandmates, so the answer depends on whether you mean the Sphere shows or U2’s current membership.

Bram van den Berg Featured Image by: Phillip Lebowitz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons