U2's NZ concert sells out in less than hour

Tickets to U2's only New Zealand show sold out in less than an hour this morning.

The tickets for the Irish supergroup's November 25 show at Auckland's Mt Smart stadium went on sale at 9am and more than 50,000 were snapped up by 10am.

Prices for tickets to the show, part of U2's 360 tour, were publicised as starting from $39.90 - but buyers were lumped with a service fee of at least $19 on top of that.

The Irish band's stage set will include a four-pronged steel structure - dubbed "the claw" - rising 45m above the stage.

With a cylindrical video system and interlocking screens and rotating bridges, the stage will allow full view by all fans no matter where they are seated, according to the band's publicists.

Hip hop star Jay-Z will be supporting the band on the New Zealand and Australian legs of the tour.

There have been rumours there will be a second New Zealand show but this is yet to be confirmed.

Tickets to the concert have already started popping up on auction site Trade Me, with sellers asking up to $1000 for premium seats.

Mike Vaney, from U2 fan website www.U2FANZ.com, has set up an online trading area for people who want to trade or sell tickets at the advertised price.

"We want fans to avoid being ripped off by the scalpers or via TradeMe auctions," he said. The forum is here

- NZ Herald staff