U2 concert at MSU rescheduled for June 26, 2011

U2 has been rescheduled to perform its U2 360° tour at 7 p.m. June 26, 2011 at Spartan Stadium, said Dave Clark, vice president of marketing for Live Nation’s north central region.

Clark said although the opening act is still to be determined, most other details have remained unchanged. Tickets purchased to the original June 30, 2010 show will be accepted, he said.

“Anybody who cannot make the newly rescheduled date can get a refund at the point of purchase,” Clark said. “For anyone who can make the date for the rescheduled show, those previously purchased tickets will absolutely be valid.”

Originally scheduled for June 30 of this year, U2’s North American tour was postponed as lead singer Bono recovered from back surgery.

Mike Brand, executive director of Wharton Center, said some people might not be thrilled that the new date is on a Sunday, but after working with event organizers, the day is better for students, faculty and those who will commute to campus for the concert.

“We lobbied real hard for a weekday and the way it worked out for them, Sunday (was chosen),” Brand said. “It’s easier because the campus isn’t operating during that time.”

When the new dates were announced Tuesday morning, U2’s manager Paul McGuinness thanked the fans for patently waiting through the delay.

“Above all we want to thank the U2 fans for bearing with us,” McGuinness said in a press release. “They’re the best, and the band wants to get back to where they belong, surrounded by their audience.”

If it turns out that many customers cannot attend the concert next year, those tickets will be released for sale to the public until the new date, Clark said.