U2 cancels end of tour

U2 has canceled the end of their tour just days before it was time to start up. The decision came due to "the illness of an immediate family member of one of the band." Speculation is that guitarist The Edge's seven-year-old daughter is suffering a serious illness.

About 100,000 fans booked tickets for U2's two shows at Telsta Dome on Friday and Saturday next week. News on possible rescheduled dates or ticket refunds is expected to be announced later today.

The band postponed the entire final leg of its Vertigo world tour, including Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Yokohama and Honolulu.

A local promoter declined to comment on the illness. "Any fan of U2 will realize this decision has not been taken lightly," a spokesman said. Some industry insiders have cast doubt on the U2 shows being rescheduled. "The massive equipment would have to be sent to the other side of the world for just 10 shows."

Reuters