August 26, 1997, Tuesday
As Ulster prepares to open a new chapter in it's live music history, U2 tour manager Jake Kennedy has hailed tonight's record-breaking PopMart concert at the Botanic Gardens as the sensation which has even "stolen the fire and the thunder from their home-base Dublin gigs."
PopMart, with its famous golden arch and record-breaking screen, are all in place for the Botanic Gardens spectacle.
Kennedy, speaking behind the scenes yesterday, said: "All the guys are a bit dejected by the whole Dublin experience. They didn't expect so much hassle trying to play on home territory.
"I think they really see Belfast as the 'big one' as far as Irish dates go. That is why they insisted on coming here at such short notice."
U2 last appeared in Belfast 10 years ago at the King's Hall, but failure to secure planning permission has forced them to abandon Ulster in recent years. But it's a problem that didn't hound the Irish supergroup this time.
"Bono said we want to play in Belfast and we got an immediate thumbs up," explained Kennedy. "Belfast City Council has been absolutely brilliant and the whole experience has been pretty straight forward.
"The whole process of setting up a concert like this usually takes up to six months. The whole Belfast thing took about two weeks. It's like nothing we have ever attempted before."
A stage crew of over 600 worked through the night to ensure every detail was in place for tonight's show.
Fans attending the concert will be treated to a sight of record breaking proportions. The world's largest LED screen will ensure that even those at the back of the 40,000 crowd will have a superb view
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