Irish rock band U2 are back on New Zealand shores ready to kick off the start of the Australasia leg of their Joshua Tree tour.
The band was heard rehearsing at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland at the beginning of the week and U2 fan group U2FANZ have posted clips of the band practising.
U2 fan Glen Mortensen said the songs the band was rehearsing included ‘Miracle of Joey’, ‘Ramone’, ‘Elevation’, ‘Vertigo’ and ‘Beautiful Day.’
Bridget de Launay, local publicist for the band confirmed the band’s arrival and preparation.
“I can confirm they are now here in New Zealand and preparing for their shows on Friday and Saturday night,” she said.
“There will surely be some U2 spotting during the week.”
Mount Smart Stadium holds special significance to U2 due to it’s proximity to One Tree Hill. The band wrote a song titled One Tree Hill in memory of their Kiwi personal assistant Greg Carroll who died in a 1986 motorcycle crash in Dublin.
U2 last played in New Zealand in 2010 with a gig during which they paid tribute to the victims of the Pike River tragedy that occurred the week prior.
