U2's Magnificent Claw

I saw this photo from an article in the Belfast Telegraph and my anticipation started anew for the upcoming U2 concert in Toronto. When you need cranes to set up your stage, you know it's big.

'Course, I've never been to a concert of this magnitude before. Roxette in the early 90s was probably the extent of my experience, unless you consider the Bare Naked Ladies worth mentioning. B.J. Thomas anyone?

The Irish Times has an article on the number of international fans arriving in Dublin for U2's three "home" concerts. Between 10,000 to 20,000 foreigners are expected at each concert. What a thrill that would be.

"Aaron Sams (36), from Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada, arrived in Dublin yesterday morning from New York.

"'The flight was packed with U2 fans. There was a woman on stand-by for two days just looking to get to Dublin for the concerts.'

"He has seen U2 31 times, '32 if you include the rehearsal in Barcelona', including the last series of concerts the band played in Croke Park on the Vertigo tour.

"'If it is anything like the 2005 experience it will be worth it,' he said.

"The excitement among fans and the band is mutual. On U2’s official website, the Edge said the only way to describe the atmosphere at homecoming concerts is 'metaphysical peaks.'

"'If you ask any U2 fan anywhere in the world, the place they want to see the band is always Dublin. A lot of times when we do play Dublin there is a magic that happens that doesn’t occur anywhere else.'”

Bono said the rehearsals for their Dublin concerts had been going well.

"'We were rehearsing in Barcelona, Paris, Milan and Amsterdam,' he joked. 'The main event will go even better.'”