When middle-aged rock stars start breaking their backs like Bono, it's hard not to wonder whether fans should request a mandatory retirement cutoff for all arena-level entertainers. But following emergency surgery in May and the cancellation of a bunch of tour dates including this summer's original Miami stop, U2 actually managed to drag its temporarily handicapped frontman out of the hospital and back on the road.
And as Crossfade reported a few months ago, the Sun Life Stadium show's been rescheduled for June 29, 2011. But we were still left guessing who would open for the Irish geriatrics?
Finally, an answer: The considerably less elderly Florence and the Machine.
At the end of September, Ms. Welch and her rotating cast of collaborators were announced as one of several bands booked for opening slots on U2's neverending tour. But only a few days ago, Florence added another ten nights to her date book, including the South Florida stop.
FYI: Other potential openers for the Miami show were the Fray, Snow Patrol, and Lenny Kravitz. So ... Wow. We got enormously lucky, Miami.
U2 with Florence and the Machine. Sun Life Stadium, 2269 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami Gardens. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $30 to $250, plus fees. Visit ticketmaster.com.
