U2 perform in Auckland, New Zealand!

Even though we’re at the bottom of the world, here in New Zealand we still get our share of fantastic concerts!

Who can blame top music acts for wanting to visit down under? Not only do they get to do some awesome adventure activities like bungy jumping and jet boating, and explore the best views mother nature has to offer, but they can do it all while not being swarmed and followed by paparazzi everywhere they go!

U2 and Jay-Z recently performed at Mount Smart stadium in Auckland. They performed for 50,000 people on the first night, and for around 35,000 the second night.

Jay-Z is often called the biggest hip hop star alive today. It was the first time he has played on stage in New Zealand. Even if concert go-ers weren’t a fan of him to start with he soon won them over.

The day after the concert he was spotted on the Auckland Viaduct waterfront enjoying a lunch with wife Beyonce and most probably enjoying the relative peace and quiet, with no photographers snapping photos or fans bugging them for autographs.

But back to the concert – U2 arrived at the concert in classic U2 fashion – a massive black helicopter – then a golf cart.

The 360 claw stage wowed fans – and the circular runway allowed viewers to get a fantastic view of Bono’s wild, gyrating, and (sometimes unusual) dance moves no matter where they were sitting.

Both U2 and Jay-Z sung tribute songs to the 29 Pike River miners. Jay-Z sung ‘Forever Young’, and U2 dedicated One Tree Hill and Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For to the miners as their 29 names scrolled down the central LCD screen.

Lead singer Bono told fans he knew the country was struggling to cope with the coal mine tragedy, which killed 29 miners, this week.
“People have ways of dealing with grief, in Ireland we sing,” he said before launching into song.

The show signaled the start of the fourth leg of their massive 360 Degree world tour, which has been seen by more than four million people globally. The band arrives in Australia on December 1.

It certainly was a night to remember!

Thanks to Bronwyn Sweeney for the photos.