That U2's homecoming shows in November sold out in record time yesterday is of little surprise, but demand has seen some tickets appearing on online sales sites at vastly inflated prices.
Ticketmaster set out strict rules to foil the touts - including making cash sales inadmissable, as well as warning that the card used to purchase would need to be presented at 3Arena and Belfast's SSE Arena in order to gain access.
That, though, has not stopped tickets appearing on eBay, with one pair priced at a whopping €999.95; nothing, it should be noted, compared to the ghastly €3,697.33 demanded for a pair by one StubHub reseller.
“There is nothing you can do about that,” one leading promoter told Hot Press. “Obviously it’d be different if there were legislation in place, but there isn’t. The only thing which might make it backfire would be for the band to announce another four shows quickly. But the demand for tickets is such that touts will make money. It’s just a shame to see them making so much."
The shows in Dublin will take place on November 23, 24, 27 and 28, with the Belfast shows on November 18 and 19.