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(A version of this article was originally posted on 14 September)
AFTER MUCH SPECULATION, U2 finally confirmed in September that they would be playing four nights in the 3Arena (the Point) as part of their European tour this November.
The gigs are long-since sold out – and the band have already been wowing fans on Irish shores at their gigs in Belfast.
So what can the lucky fans who secured tickets for the Dublin shows look forward to in the next few days?
Here’s how the tour has been going down so far…
The band didn’t have the most promising start to their world tour – with The Edge taking a tumble off the stage mid-set, inciting a slew of inevitable jokes.
After Bono’s long lay off following his bike crash injury it had people worried – but he was fine!
This was the set-list from the opening night…
Jonathan Hiebert / TwitterSetlist from tonight. #U2ieTour pic.twitter.com/jicKlvMaBK
— Jonathan Hiebert (@fever28) May 15, 2015
Fans were pretty impressed with the state-of-the-art stage show:
And the reviews were pretty positive too. Case in point, Rolling Stone:
Tragedy struck the tour in the opening weeks however, as the band’s long-serving tour manager Dennis Sheehan passed away:
Since then the lads have been back to their usual on-stage tricks – like inviting their own tribute band to perform alongside them.
And of course, there have been some inevitable Bono speeches along the way.
The band arrived in Europe at the start of this month, and speculation about Irish gigs gathered pace as a result.
The Edge seemed cautiously optimistic, telling The Irish Times:
“This show is designed for a type of venue and unfortunately there isn’t one, certainly in the south, I think there might be one in the Belfast area so we’re looking at that as well.”
Just a few days later, the concerts were confirmed.
“We’re grateful to our overworked crew who finally cracked the reconfiguring to fit these venues,” Edge said.
There has been more drama since – with the band forced to cancel their gigs in Paris last weekend in the wake of Friday’s terror attacks.
Bono paid tribute to the victims of the atrocity in Belfast on Wednesday, telling the crowd: “We refuse to hate because we know that love will do a better job.”
Want to see more? There’s plenty of footage from the gigs so far on the group’s website.
Legends, great music,and Irish, and proud ,what’s not to love?
The fact we can never get tickets to their gigs?
Here’s what people can expect:
A tax-avoider with a hair transplant, who likes to dine with war criminals, will wrap himself in a tricolour while talking about bad things that happen somewhere in the world.
Bono is a pox.
And all the while your contribution to society so undeniably righteous.
If by ‘righteous’ you mean paying taxes here and not hobnobbing with war criminals, then yes.
Also, is Larry Mullen righteous saying the same thing about Bonos friends? – http://www.independent.ie/woman/celeb-news/bonos-friendship-with-war-criminals-makes-me-cringe-26502302.html
do you pay millions in taxes here too ?
1. Bono pays more personal tax in Ireland then you and I combined would pay in 50 lifetimes.
2. Meeting leaders of the richest countries in the world for dinner to lobby for funding help people suffering for AIDS in third world countr……..
Actually ya know what, fu(k it……. You’re right. He’s a cu#t.
enjoy the concert lads.
@ WP
well said
@ Bilbo Baggins
so if he pays millions in tax.. he can break the law?
To quote my mother “even if that fella was singing in our back garden I wouldn’t listen to him”
gotta love the begrudgers on this article..that would probably turn the shower cold if they tried singing in it!! Its usually a good idea to get facts right before you display your complete lack of knowledge..it doesn’t make you look silly the Here’s some facts for you, Bono does pay tax in Ireland, because he lives in Ireland, he pays income tax. U2 are a registered company in Holland, the company pay taxes in Holland, because they save money over there. U2 are also well known philanthropists, that means they spend a lot of money on charities and helping others. Bono has helped thousands of kids who had AIDS or could have got it, with his own money. He’s done so much you couldn’t even imagine. so I’m sure he’s not in the least bit bothered by your anti U2 or Bono singing in my back garden put downs. I am though, because I am proud that he is Irish and so am I, and he has represented us all over the world.
oh..and U2 are donating €2million to music generation, from the Irish concerts…I think that tops you.
Well said Jenni. Spot on
That’s a great story. Got any more like that?
You are about as irish as he is
@ Geraldine Brennan
your mother has nothing in common with Bono
she condemns all war instead of picking and choosing, she pays tax etc
U2 haters are so passé now.
Whingebags. Wrong side of the bed this morning folks?
He’ll probably bore the arse off the audience with his saint bono routine !!
Even if U2 paid everybody’s tax in the country for them and wiped out the national debt with their billions, they’d still be sh!te.
And Irish begrudgery would still be alive and well.
@ Sean Johnston
is your avatar Sam Peckinpah ?
Loved Thin Lizzy, Rory Gallagher, Horslips… no Irish begrudgery, they’re just shite..
Old men in U2 trying to appeal to the young.
Doesn’t work.
Most of the people who attend Rolling Stones concerts are on the pension.
U2 are tax dodgers ffs
they supported clinton
they supported bush (with their silence on the “war” in iraq)
they supported obama
mark my words.. they will support any action taken in Syria (because it benefits the good ole USA)
don’t mind the other three lads, but as for that bono, he’d give you ire on the back of your balls
Brilliant..
When U2 pay taxes in the country that educated them, then we might be able to provide schools with some much needed money to continue to educate this generation of children. Children in the school where I work as an SNA haven’t got the resources as there is no money in the school to pay for it. Myself & the staff in the school often buy resources from our wages for the children. What a country we live in. But then as Joan, Enda & co keep telling me that I’m out of the recession.
All 4 members of U2 pay tax in Ireland. Huge amounts of it too.
I have a lot of respect for people who work as SNAs. It’s a tough and challenging job at times. But really as an educator yourself you should educate yourself with the facts and not just believe the populist rubbish you read.
Bono lives in Ireland and pays his income taxes here. Possibly millions every year. A relatively small portion of income from the company he works for, ie: U2, is. Registered in Golland and as such that small part of the company pays tax there. Not Bono, the company, of which I believe there are 5 directors, meaning 5 decision makers. It’s really simple economics but sure don’t let facts get in the way of a good online rant
so its alm U2s fault your school is not funded. I hope your not teaching social economics. My local national school had two SNA let go…As disgusting as that is, and we are fighting for them back, I have never heard the excuse ” this is all U2s fault” used ever. cop on.
Here’s Waltham you can expect- A ticketmaster farce!! This ticket less scheme is a joke and I bet you touts pick up loads! The site is still loading 12 minutes later after telling me after 8 that no tickets could be found! I have punched in 2 standing tickets for christ sake and it was only 8 minutes past 9!!
Let the haters hate, I’ll be there tomorrow night singing my head off, U2 always put on an amazing show
Can’t wait to see it . Got tickets to the Stockholm gig
Saw them at the first two shows of the tour. You’re in for a treat. Best band in the world. I don’t give two s$!ts what the begrudging w*****s on the journal say.
bono..what the f— is bono…sure his shit don’t stink
Bono is a pox
I don’t see why he is not arrested. .he still lives here on and off. Are they that special and untouchable
so not living full time in Ireland means he should be arrested?
@OCallaghan TP – Maybe you should be arrested for the stupidity of your comment.
Bono thinks Noonan is a great finance minister. Bono needs to lay off the spliffs.
Tomorrow will be a beautiful day for me, cannot wait. Dublin’s finest
What time will U2 come onstage at the 3 Arena ?
It’s 8:20 I think and it’s a 2 and a half hour set.
@Ivorpapst, I was at the London gig and they came on at 8.30pm and seemed to do the same in Belfast.
Been to a few concerts with ‘rock’ stars from a different era. Nostalgia fest for public and performers, every time. Like akward school reunions. Some are into this and some arent. And sometimes separating author from his/her music is best for music. Anyhow, for these who are going – have a good time.
@ Nelly Bergman
do you pay your tax ?
Boring bono
@ Louise Ní Riain
well tonight
thank god its him
instead of you
But there won’t be snow in Africa
Larry Mullen always looks like he’s bored stupid at their gigs
I think I remember an interview with Larry Mullen where the interviewer asked ‘why are you still doing it Larry?’ And he responded ‘ just to look at the bank account and see the money pile up.’
More bollocks!
Theres only one irish rock legend ever and its philo R.I.P. u2 doesn’t hold a candle to thin lizzy.
‘Giving out’ as its called in Ireland is s f*****g national pastime. Moan moan moan.
With that blonde wig, Bono is looking more like Shirley from EastEnders…. And why does he keep make roaring gestures all the time like he is getting a tonsil examination?
Have a front row ticket but not going now.
Too dangerous.
Bono’s a friend of the White House.
And Adams STIFF LITTLE FINGERS T SHIRT in Belfast a Highlight
With that blonde wig, he is looking more like Shirley from EastEnders these days…. Disappears forcacfew months and returns with a full head of hair !!!lol ….and why does he keep making roaring gestures like he has bad gas or is getting a tonsil examination ?
Next time
Tomorrow will be a beautiful day, cannot wait. I2 come home..c’mon the boyz
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