U2 Gig Details

The ever unpredictable Irish group U2 are set to head out on their latest world tour, with sources close to the band claiming they will perform under a massive claw.

U2's stage sets are now the stuff of legend. For years the band had regarded elaborate sets as closely linked with the despised progressive rock scene. Being earnest and shouting a lot was their kind of vibe - that is, until they discovered irony.

The Zoo TV tour saw the band really push the boat out in terms of stage set up. Emerging from an enormous lemon (we're not making this up) the band then acted out make believe characters (seriously, we're not making this up).

Recently however U2 have favoured smaller arenas with less staging. Widely regarded as a "good move" by fans, it saw the band get back in touch with their audience. It is no coincidence that the resultant albums have been their most praised in a decade.

For their new tour, however, it seems the band have decided to get epic again. A report in Rolling Stone magazine states that U2 will play on a circular stage in the middle of the venue, while above them towers "The Claw," a gigantic 164-foot-high double-arch on four legs, with each leg carrying its own speaker system and an in-the-round video screen suspended above the band.

Manager Paul McGuinness has promised fans that the tour will have low cost tickets. In order to make up the massive costs involved the band have agreed to have a corporate sponsor on the tour - phone company Blackberry.

U2 released their new album 'No Line On The Horizon' earlier this year.