Rap singer Eminem has put a complete ban on photographers and TV cameras taking pictures or footage of his two open-air concerts tonight and tomorrow night at Punchestown racecourse, Co Kildare.
Even the State broadcaster RTÉ, which was believed to have asked the artist for permission to film, has been refused access.
The publicity-shy artist flew into Dublin by private jet yesterday evening and was met by a waiting car. Aer Rianta confirmed that he arrived with a party of 14 people and said that special immigration facilities had been laid on in a remote part of the airport. "He was able to leave the airport without entering the public area at all," said a spokesman. An entourage of over 200 people, most of whom are appearing as support acts tonight, is travelling with Eminem as part of his current tour, which ends in Dublin tomorrow.
Ticket touts hoping to cash in on the huge popularity of Eminem will lose out since Ticketmaster and concert promoters MCD deliberately kept 1,500 additional tickets to sell this week.
"We will still have some on sale to counteract the touts," said MCD spokesman Mr Justin Green. "They will be available at a Ticketmaster mobile unit on site. We're determined to stop the ticket-touting." Up to 100,000 fans will attend both concerts. From 2 p.m., sounds and visuals will play, followed by DJs at 6 p.m. Eminem is expected on stage at 9 p.m. to perform until 11.30 p.m.
The Garda is advising the public that admission is by ticket only and that all people entering the concerts will be searched.
It is believed that Eminem will be visiting his favourite Dublin restaurant, Pizza Stop, for dinner after tonight's concert and that he will wind up his Irish visit with an end-of- tour party to be held in the Lillies Bordello night-club.