Crews are working 16-hour days to get ready for the biggest concert of the year when the U2 360 Tour hits the country.
The largest temporary grandstand ever built in New Zealand has gone into the north end of the main arena of Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium, which will hold nearly 12,000 fans.
At the southern end the installation of a second 10,000-seat temporary stand has been completed this weekend in time for the shows on Thursday and Friday.
Much of this second temporary grandstand has been trucked up in a massive logistical operation from the World Rowing Championships that were held at Lake Karapiro earlier this month. A team of 40 men has been working long shifts to get the southern stand completed on time.
Because of the extra seats, the promoters have been able to make a final release of tickets at all levels for the Friday’s show. Thursday night’s concert is sold out.
Joining U2 as their special guest will be US rapper Jay-Z in his first performances in New Zealand. The Auckland concerts will be the only New Zealand appearances by U2 and kick off the Australasian leg of the 360 Tour, which is already the highest