U2 have been forced to postpone the final 10 dates of their Vertigo 2006 tour, due to an illness in the immediate family of a member of the band, writes John Downes.
A statement on their website yesterday said the cancellation of the Asia-Pacific concerts, in New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Hawaii, was "unavoidable". "Any fan of U2 will realise this decision has not been taken lightly," tour promoter Arthur Fogel said.
"We will announce further details as soon as we have them."
U2 had been scheduled to begin that section of their tour in Auckland, New Zealand, on St Patrick's Day. They last played New Zealand 12 years ago and Australia eight years ago.