It is being hailed as the most exciting and spectacular event to hit Belfast since President Clinton dandered down the Falls Road. Lord Mayor Alban Maginness, on a visit to the gig site yesterday, humbly thanked U2 for bringing PopMart to the city.
Despite prospects of rain 40,000 fans are expected at tonight's concert. "Pop tourists" from across the North have been flocking to the Botanical Gardens over the last number of days to get a peep at the extraordinary transformation of the park.
Though this is not the first time the gardens have been used for rock gigs - Jackson Browne and Van Morrison have played at the Larks in the Park recently - the U2 visit has generated extraordinary interest. Scores of foreign media representatives have been scouring Belfast for unusual angles to U2 in Belfast during a ceasefire.
Despite rumours that the Belfast concert will make a loss, Mr Maginness, a self-confessed U2 fan, said it was "fantastic" the band had been determined to put Belfast on their itinerary.
"In the aftermath of the ceasefire, this event creates a tremendous boost in confidence for the people of this city," said Mr Maginness.
"It reaffirms the peace that we have achieved in the past couple of months. It means a lot to the city to make it not just a peaceful city, but an enjoyable city. It is a boost to the confidence of the city. U2 went out of their way to come here. I, on behalf of the city, want to thank them for that. There is a deep commitment from U2," he said.
U2's tour director, Mr Jake Kennedy, said the entire crew and band had given up a week's holiday to do the concert, such was their keenness to come to Belfast. The city was not originally on the itinerary, but almost three weeks ago, shortly after the IRA announced its ceasefire, the group decided to squeeze in the concert. U2's distinctive PopMart plane will land at Aldergrove Airport this afternoon, but already U2mania has peaked in the city. Penniless students eager to get in on the bonanza have been scouring the gig-site for jobs. Even the older and wiser have bowed to curiosity and toured the perimeter fence to glimpse the spectacle. One couple in their 50s, who said they prefer Pavarotti, could not resist travelling from their east Belfast home to have a look.
Around 300 recruits were added to the U2's full-time staff to help build the impressive 150-foot high stage set. One of the most sought-after temporary jobs is in the massive bar. Sixty-five people have been employed to pull around 50,000 pints, while a further 35 people serve them. There will be six fulltime keg-changers operating the 600 barrels of Guinness and Harp. And a total of 250 portaloos have been installed.
Around 300 people have been employed as security, while 80 paramedics from St John's Ambulance will aid four doctors on site. The RUC has formed a special task force. It is based in nearby Donegall Pass police station where Supt Stephen Grange commented: "This is a major event for the police, but we are used to policing large-scale events, so in some respects we do have experience."
He said the RUC had sought advice from police in Britain and Dublin with experience of U2 concerts. "With an estimated 40,000 fans expected from across Northern Ireland, the concert is one of the biggest single events ever dealt with by police at Donegall Pass RUC station."