The Edge tweeted this photo of One Tree Hill. Photo / The Edge
U2 has landed - and wasted no time in tweeting about the New Zealand experience.
Guitarist The Edge has posted a photo of One Tree Hill on his Twitter account two days before the Irish rockers play the first of two shows at Mt Smart Stadium.
The band has a
connection to the Auckland landmark - One Tree Hill is the title of their 1987 single written after the death of Bono's New Zealand-born assistant Greg Carroll.
Concert promoters and record label representatives are keeping the band's movements a closely guarded secret.
However it is understood the rockers arrived on Monday morning on an Air New Zealand flight.
The last time U2 was here, in 2006, members stayed at the $25,000-a-night Great Mercury Island estate, owned by Sir Michael Fay, and were choppered to Auckland for concerts.
The private island, off the coast of the Coromandel, give guests access to two homes, 12 beaches and a private chef.
Other favoured Auckland accommodation for the rich and famous include Wells Bay lodge on Waiheke Island - with the required helicopter pad and $750-a-night suite at the Hyatt Hotel for each of the four musicians.
Supporting act Jay-Z has also arrived in the country but it is not known if his wife, singer Beyonce Knowles, is with him.
The rapper's entourage was spotted renting a fleet of luxury Audi vehicles, celebrity watch websites said.
Last night, crews were putting the final touches to the 590 tonne stage set complete with the "claw", a 50m three-legged structure.
The band's 360 Degrees Tour, one of rock's highest grossing productions, involves 250 personnel as well as local crews at each venue.
More than 50,000 tickets sold in less than an hour for the Thursday night show but there are some still available for Friday.
See tomorrow's TimeOut for a U2 special featuring the band's only New Zealand interview, memories of past tours and essential concert information including a transport guide.
