Air carrier Captain reported on departure roll hearing a loud bang from the right side of the aircraft. The flight crew rejected the takeoff; shut down engine 2; and returned to the gate.

Narrative

Normal day; taxied out single engine. Started engine 2 and had adequate warm up time. Cleared to line up and wait. Once cleared for take off; I set the thrust to the FLEX. Thrust increased and couple seconds later; we heard a loud bang from the right side of the aircraft. The plane started veering right and we received an engine 2 fail ECAM. I immediately rejected the takeoff and maintained positive directional control. As a matter of muscle memory and combined startle factor; I engaged reverse thrust to maintain control; even though we were in the low speed regime. We estimate the reject occurred at no more than 30 kts. We followed the rejected takeoff procedures which included Remain seated" on the PA and notifying ATC. With the ECAM procedure we shut the engine down and started the APU. We cleared the runway and contacted Maintenance Control via phone. We did note a red tick exceedance on the number 2 EGT. I talked to our Purser; our Passengers; and Dispatch (via ACARS). We also contacted Operations to work on a gate to return to. That was coordinated and we taxied back to the gate single engine. As another aircraft was being obtained; I called our Dispatcher and Chief Pilot to close the communication loop. All five crew members felt fit for duty; so we continued to ZZZ in the new aircraft."