FANS heading for the first Irish show of U2‘s world tour in Croke Park tonight have been promised the band’s most spectacular performance yet.

Singer Bono told fans via a link-up on their website that all the gigs they’ve done so far have just been a warm-up for the Dublin dates.

He joked: “The ‘rehearsals’ have been going really well. We’ve been rehearsing inBarcelona, Milan, Nice, Berlin and Amsterdam. But we expect that the main event in Dublin will be better than any of them.”

The Edge spoke of the “magic” they always experience of playing a hometown date, whether it’s in Croke Park, the RDS or Slane Castle.

He said: “It’s not just another show, for us or for the fans. They travel from all over the world to see us perform in Dublin. Most of them believe it’s the best gig for them to attend.

“You do your best at every gig, but playing Ireland is different. I remember how the Phoenix Park Racecourse was one of the first big gigs we ever did. There was a huge level of excitement for everybody involved. There was a physical reaction from the audience like nothing we’d felt before.

“Every time we go onstage there’s a certain chemistry between the four of us. But in Dublin the crowd actually take us to another level. It’s incredible. It’s never just another show for us.”

From this afternoon 80,000 fans will begin to descend on Croke Park.

Enthusiasm

The fact that the 360° ‘claw’ stage will only give them a 270° perspective in Croke Park due to technical problems doesn’t seem to have dimmed any of their enthusiasm.

Fans are coming from as far away as America and Japan. Some will attend all three shows in Dublin, the only city where U2 will play that many gigs.

Foreign fans are expected to spend their free time visiting the various U2 landmarks around the city, from the old ‘wailing wall’ at Windmill Lane to their current studios on Hanover Quay, Bono‘s mansion in Killiney and former venues such as the Dandelion Market and the Project Arts Centre.

Bono and the boys are expected to do a very quick soundcheck in the venue early today, after which they will relax with their families in the build-up to the big night.

The band are said to be determined to deliver the best show of their life as the last time they performed in Croke Park the concerts were troubled by poor sound in the stadium — and wet and windy weather.

With up to 240,000 fans expected to descend on the area over three days, many local residents have decided to go away for the weekend to avoid the noise and legions of fans.

The Clarence Hotel, which is owned by Bono and The Edge, will be their official base over the weekend.

• U2 have asked fans attending the gigs to wear face-masks of Burmese freedom fighterAung San Suu Kyi. The cardboard face-mask will be inserted in the concert programme and can also be printed from the band’s website, www.u2.com