from South Bend Tribune

Although still not official, it appears that a concert by Irish rock band U2 at the University of Notre Dame's Joyce Center is almost a reality.

A general mailing to Joyce Center loge seat subscribers, dated Aug. 24 and obtained by WSBT-TV, offers subscribers a chance to secure their tickets for the much-talked about rock event in South Bend.

"On Wednesday, October 10, 2001, Clear Channel Entertainment presents U2 in concert in the Joyce Center Arena at 7:30 p.m.," the letter states.

The letter goes on to state that tickets will go on sale Sept. 15, and loge subscribers need to complete an enclosed order form and return it to the Notre Dame Ticket Office no later than 5 p.m. Sept. 7.

Dennis Moore, Notre Dame director of public relations, confirmed that the Joyce Center had sent out the mailings, but that to his knowledge no contracts had been signed and the concert was still just a possibility.

He said such mailings by the Joyce Center are not uncommon for special events and that the mailing is not a confirmation that the concert will actually happen.

"An announcement will come as a general announcement about the tour after Labor Day," Moore said, adding it would not come from the university but from concert promoter Clear Channel Entertainment.

Andy Wilson, publicist with Clear Channel Entertainment in Indianapolis, said he could not confirm the Oct. 10 concert.

A source at the university and a fan Web site for the band have said an official announcement will be made Sept. 11.

On Aug. 16, U2's manager, Paul McGuinness, told the band's official Web site (www.U2.com) that the band will return to the United States for a fall tour.

No shows have been announced yet on that Web site, or at www. livedaily.com, which reports on tours and news about musicians.

The European leg of U2's Elevation tour wraps up in Dublin Sept. 1.