U2 are coming home tomorrow night as they bring the Joshua Tree back to Croke Park for the first time in 30 years.
On June 27 and 28, 1987, the group stood on their home stage to perform the biggest tracks of the No1 album.
And now 78,000 fans will flock to the GAA grounds to see Bono and the boys mark the anniversary of the legendary album and the sold-out shows.
Despite being the fifth record released by the Dublin four-piece, it continues to be a fan favourite three decades after it first hit shops, with sales of over 25 million.
Tomorrow night will see the stage light up to the sounds of I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For and Bullet the Blue Sky.
While the original album will be played in its entirety, gig-goers can also expect to hear some of their other top tunes. Here we look at the greatest Irish band of all time and the numbers that matter…
1976 — YEAR THEY FORMED
The group formed on September 25, 1976 after Larry Mullen Jnr posted a note on Mount Temple School’s notice board looking for musicians.
SEVEN — ORIGINAL MEMBERS
The original rockers were Larry, Paul ‘Bono’ Hewson, David ‘The Edge’ Evans and his older brother Dik, Adam Clayton, and two other pals, Ivan McCormick and Peter Martin.
Shortly after, the others were phased out and the group become a four-piece known as U2.
13 — STUDIO ALBUMS
While their first release was the Ireland-only U23 EP, 1980 saw their first studio record, Boy, hit the stores.
Featuring their first single, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock and the still-popular I Will Follow, Boy was then followed up by October a year later and War in 1983.
They have had a steady stream of albums ever since, the last being Songs of Innocence, which was released in 2014.
11 — SONGS ON JOSHUA TREE
The first song was Where the Streets have No Name and the record wrapped with Mothers of the Disappeared.
21 — No1 IRISH SINGLES
This figure leaves them at the top of the Irish singles board. The hits include With or Without You, Desire, One and Elevation.
€645m — WHAT BAND’S WORTH
That’s according to The Sunday Times Music Rich List, which has them in third place behind Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell, and Andrew Lloyd-Webber.
22 — GRAMMY AWARDS
Their first was in 1988 for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or a Group and Best Album for The Joshua Tree.
Since then, they have picked up the gong for Best Rock Performance a further six times, Album of the Year and Record of the Year twice each, and in 2014 the Joshua Tree was awarded the Hall of Fame Award.
7.2MILLION — SAW U2 ON THEIR 360° TOUR (2009-2011)
The band set records for the highest-grossing concert tour with €640million in takings, beating the Rolling Stones. It was also the highest-attended tour.
56 — AVERAGE AGE OF THE BAND
Adam and Bono are both 57, while Larry and The Edge are 55.
13 — NUMBER OF KIDS BETWEEN THEM
The Edge is leading the way with five — one son and four daughters — while Bono is close behind with four. Larry has three, and Adam, who already has one son, is expecting a new arrival soon.
1.1MILLION — TICKETS SOLD IN 24 HOURS ON THIS TOUR
According to Live Nation, U2 broke that barrier for the 30th anniversary tour, with dates across America, Canada and Europe.
In the US alone, they sold nearly 1.5million tickets for 20 shows, grossing €107.4m.
Total sales are expected to be 2.4million worldwide, making it the biggest-selling tour of the year.
SIX — NUMBER OF MINUTES IT TOOK TO SELL OUT CROKER
Tickets went on sale in January and the 78,000 seats were soon completely gone.
51 — DATES IN THIS TOUR
They have performed 22 shows so far.
€12m — ECONOMIC BOOST TO DUBLIN
The amount the local economy will benefit from tomorrow’s show, according to Dublin Chamber.
With nearly 80,000 fans attending the show, they say that Dublin’s hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and retailers will all benefit from the influx of U2 fans over the weekend, many of whom will travel to the city from outside the capital and from overseas.
The average price across a wide selection of venues this weekend has gone up by a staggering 75 to 120 per cent.
8.40pm — TIME THE BAND TAKES STAGE
Their support act, Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds are expected to kick things off at 7pm.
Thesun.ie
