Despite a spate of stories before the weekend that 3Arena would be playing host to U2 for three nights this winter, no definitive Dublin plans have been put in place.
A U2 representative tells Hot Press today: "On the pre-recorded interview with Bono we know that he talked about playing Ireland this year and what they would like to do around the shows. However, this interview was recorded four months ago at a time when plans and dates were still being finalised. The Irish dates are not yet confirmed."
With Irish shows absent from the initial announcement of their upcoming iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour, fans are undoubtedly waiting expectantly for official news of their homecoming. The will have to wait a little longer.
That tour kicks off in Roger Arena, Vancouver on May 14. The band have been ensconced in the nearby Pacific Coliseum dress rehearsing. The North America leg wraps up in Madison Square Garden, New York, on July 31. The European leg then kicks off in Turin's Pala Alpitour on September 4. All shows on the European leg, bar the November 3 date in London's O2, are sold-out, which will only add to demand for Irish shows - it is not inconceivable that there will be more than just three shows when an announcement is finally made.
At 3pm, Today FM began airing an interview Bono had with the late Tony Fenton. The U2 singer recorded it with the legendary Irish broadcaster in his Killiney home earlier this year; the last interview Fenton ever conducted. The band were on hand to perform an acoustic version of 'Ordinary Love' at Tony's funeral in March.
There also continues to be heavy speculation that the band are preparing to release another album at some point during the world tour, especially given Bono's comments about how close they were to completing a follow-up and the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE name bestowed upon the tour.
To add fuel to the fire, The Edge stated in a New York Times article earlier this week: "At the very end of an album you’re at the height of your powers in terms of writing, arranging and performing. “It’s a shame that you have to stop then and start the other phase of what we do, which is playing live. This time we haven’t really stopped. Bono is trying to capitalize on that momentum and that sharpness.”
Stay with hotpress.com for further updates on When Bono Met Tony.
Click here to read our extensive chat with the four members on a private jet last October right here.