U2 Launch Dublin Shows

Spectacular opening for Irish giants

Irish rock giants U2 have opened a three night residency at Dublin’s Croke Park with a spectacular show.

U2 have always tried to stay close to their Irish roots. The band grew up in Dublin, and while they may tour the world always return home. Maintaining a base in the city, singer Bono even owns one of Ireland’s most luxurious restaurants.

Currently on their mammoth world tour ‘No Line On The Horizon’ the band have spared no expense. Emerging onstage underneath an enormous claw, the circular stage allows fans to get a 360 degree view of the group.

U2 launched a three night Dublin residency with a spectacular show in Croke Park. Emerging onstage on Friday (July 24th) singer Bono greeted the crowd by saying “in the words of our good friends the Corrs, we are so young… as a nation I mean”.

After performing a number of songs from their recent album ‘No Line On The Horizon’ the band then trawled through their back catalogue to re-visit some of their most memorable moments. Bono also paid tribute to Ronnie Drew of legendary folkies The Dubliners – by playing one of their most iconic tracks The Auld Triangle.

In total it took workers an entire week to build the set, with U2’s giant claw extending to 60 feet in the air. The stage contained 550 tonnes of steel, 56 tonnes of video screens and spanned across a third of the pitch.

As usual, the band mixed music with politics. Throughout the tour Bono has been announcing his support for the jailed Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi, currently on trial charged with breaking a security law.

Thousands of fans wore masks bearing her image as U2 launched into the track ‘Walk On’. Once the three nights are completed a total of 240,000 fans will have been entertained, with financial experts estimating that the gigs will boost Dublin’s economy by up to 50 million Euro.

U2 complete their Croke park residency tonight (July 27th).

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