Preparations are underway in Moncton 26 days before Irish rock band U2 hits the stage and Maritime fans are counting down the moments to their arrival.
Even though the band isn't set to play until July 30, the concert site at Magnetic Hill has already become a busy construction site. Crews have been setting up grandstand seating - which will seat nearly 29,000 - since June.
The biggest project is still to come with the construction of ‘the claw' – a 20-storey, 390-tonne steel performance stage – which has become a trademark of the band's 360 world tour.
The city's mayor says he knew that in order to get one of the world's biggest bands to play in his neck of the woods, it would have to build big.
"It wasn't easy to get U2 here, because of the fact they're doing this 360-degree tour and it doesn't necessarily fit well for an outdoor sight," says Mayor George LeBlanc. "But we worked at it, worked at it, worked at it, like we always do and we were able to put together a package that U2 needed to come here."
Excitement is also building on city streets in the area, as fans prepare for one of the biggest music bashes to hit our region this summer.
"They're one of my favourite bands and I've always said to my husband that if they ever come to Moncton we have to go see them," says area resident Cindy Beaton.
Some local fans have already seen the band's 360 show and they say Moncton is in for a real treat.
"An unbelievable event, there's no bad seat," says fan Dean Dynaa. "They play through two-and-a-half hours of their greatest hits and I'm sure there'll be some surprises, it being the last show of their tour."
The city of Moncton isn't confirming how many tickets have been sold to date, but tickets are still available.
If expectations are met, U2's Moncton stop will be the largest event of its kind ever held in Atlantic Canada.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Nick Moore
