Look for U2 to kick off its world tour March 1 in Florida, band manager Paul McGuinness tells Billboard.biz. The tour, in support of the new Interscope album “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,” will be promoted by Clear Channel Entertainment’s TNA International, which is spearheaded by president Arthur Fogel.
“We’ll play approximately 35 shows in arenas in the spring in the U.S.,” McGuinness says. The band will then head to Europe for 30 stadium shows, come back to the U.S. for another 35-date arena swing, and then hit Japan and Australia.
Rumors have circulated that potential openers include Snow Patrol and the Scissor Sisters. McGuinness says no decision has been made, but added, “We love Snow Patrol. Their producer, Jacknife Lee, also worked on U2’s album and they’re Irish. There’s a close connection.”
U2’s last tour, in 2001, was also promoted by Fogel and grossed $104 million from 106 shows worldwide, according to Billboard Boxscore.