U2’s 360 Tour arrived in Australia! The foursome’s concert last night in Sydney was not only heralded both for the band’s musical exploits, but for the show’s incorporation of visual elements. Jay-Z opened the festivities with a rock-themed set of his songs, bringing the house down with his “Empire State of Mind” before exiting from the stage. The crowd really filled the ANZ Stadium with sound when Bono, The Edge, Adam, and Larry stepped out into the spotlight. Multiple concert reviewers highlighted U2’s new version of “I Will Follow” as one of the biggest highlights of the night. The three section set of 24 songs melded perfectly with visuals of everything from Oprah to AIDS in Africa. U2 surprised the audience with interludes of The Beatles “Blackbird” and INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart”. The Irishmen will be back for another show in Sydney tonight. Stay tuned for more updates from U2’s worldwide trek.

U2’s hard work touring the world on their 360 Tour was honored this past week at the 2010 Billboard Touring Awards. The band took home the “Top Draw” and “Top Tour” awards for selling the most tickets from October 2009-September 2010. It’s amazing to think that the band was still able to this with all the concerts in America that were canceled due to Bono’s back injury. Other big winners included AC/DC, Taylor Swift, Metallica, Rush, and of course Lady Gaga. U2’s Spiderman musical, Turn Off the Dark, hit another snag with previews pushed back to December due to security measures. U2 is also working a new album reportedly with famed produced Danger Mouse. Bono and the Edge stepped out in New York City to attend a exhibition at old friend and photographer Anton Corbijin’s photo gallery. Make sure you visit My U2 Fan Site soon for more U2 news!

It was announced this week that U2’s final 360′ Tour show in North America next summer will be in Pittsburgh, PA on July 26th, 2011. Tickets go on sale for the band’s show at Heinz Field on October 18th. The home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Heinz Field seats upwards of 65,000 fans not counting general admission. Three days prior to U2’s show in Pittsburgh, Ireland four most successful rock stars will play a show at the newly constructed TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton finished up their European leg of the 360′ Tour. Following their European finale in Rome last week, U2 will venture south with tour mate Jay-Z to play nine shows in Australia. U2 will also return to Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca in May for a pair of shows inside the 104,000 seat soccer stadium

One of the biggest opening gigs in music is opening for U2. It’s a honor Pearl Jam, The Script, Kings of Leon, and No Doubt have all been distinguished with in the past. U2 announced their opening acts for their 2011 U2 ‘360 Tour today with Interpol, Lenny Kravitz, The Fray, Snow Patrol, and Florence and the Machine splitting the duties. New York city based Indie band Interpol will take on the lion’s share of the tour playing 7 shows with U2. UK alternative rockers Snow Patrol opened a number of dates this summer for the Irish rock kings and will repeat the favor for the band’s epic concert in Mexico City. Art rock group Florence and the Machine will bring their high-energy live show to U2’s shows in East Lansing and Miami, while old U2 pal Lenny Kravitz will rock out three shows on the west coast in Seattle, Anaheim, and Oakland. American pop rockers The Fray will pick up the duties for U2’s string of shows in Salt Lake City, Denver, and Edmonton.

U2 played their first show since Bono’s emergency back surgery derailed their summer 360 tour plans. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. performed in front of full house inside the Stadio Olimpico di Torino in Turin, Italy last Friday night. To celebrate  The Edge’s 49th birthday the audience serenaded the U2 guitarist with “Happy Birthday”. The Italians also were treated to three new U2 songs during the concert including an ode to the English festival “Glastonbury” that the band missed due to Bono’s injury. The new song has been already posted on YouTube here. Bono showed his appreciation for his fan’s patience, as well as, his own bandmates during the show, and referred to U2 as a “A family business”. U2 debuted a instrumental introduction piece by the name of “Return of the Stingray Guitar” and a acoustic ballad by the name of “North Star”.  German U2 fans will get to take in the 360′ Tour tonight in Frankfurt at Commerzbank Arena.