U2 frontman Bono didn't want to cancel Paris show after attacks

Bono said U2 were in rehearsals for a Saturday night show in Paris when they heard about Friday's attacks. Photo / Getty

U2 frontman Bono can't wait to return to Paris, describing terror attacks in the French capital as the "first direct hit on music".

The Irish band were told by French authorities they could not play their scheduled gig in Paris on Saturday night after Friday's attacks that killed at least 129 people and injured 350 more.

At least 82 were killed in Le Bataclan theatre during a show by Californian rockers Eagles of Death Metal.

Bono told Irish radio DJ Dave Fanning on Saturday the news reached them while they were rehearsing for the French show, according to Rolling Stone.

"Our security locked it down pretty quickly and we got our team and our crew out of there safely," Bono said.

He added it wasn't U2's decision to cancel the concert.

"We didn't call it off. It was cancelled, honest, and I understand perfectly why. It's up to the French authorities and the city to decide when we can go back."

Bono said he was upset that most of the fatalities were music fans.

"Our first thoughts at this point are with the Eagles of Death Metal fans ... This is the first direct hit on music that we've had in this so-called War on Terror, or whatever it's called.

"It's very upsetting. These are our people. This could be me at a show, you at a show, in that venue," he added.

He believed bands like U2 had an important role to play in showing defiance in the face of terror.

"I think U2 has a role to play and I can't wait till we get back to Paris and play and that's what I'm feeling from the messages we're receiving from music fans is these people will not set our agenda.

"They will not organise our lives for us."

-AAP