European Tour question - country to country
 

Maybe y'all can help me to understand this a bit more since my European geography is not up to par. Why would the band have dates in one country, then go to another, then back to the first country? Like from Germany, to Austria, back to Germany, to Ireland, back to Germany, and then there is even another Austrian date later on. I've just been wondering this after really looking at the dates below more closely. Wouldn't it be easier to keep the equipment/trucks in the same country? There is probably a lot more to consider than I know of, so I thought maybe some of you across the pond from me can shed some light.....I hope the dates/locations that I have below are correct!

May 13 LTU Stadium – Dusseldorf, Germany
May 15 Stadion – Linz, Austria
May 17 Schlotzplatz – Koblenz, Germany
May 20 Croke Park – Dublin, Ireland
May 24 Hessentag – Hessisch Lichtenau, Germany
May 25 Goffertpark – Nijmegen, Holland
May 27 Canninstatter Wasen – Stuttgard, Germany
May 28 Olympic Stadium – Munich, Germany
May 30 Olympia World – Innsbruck, Austria
May 31 Stade De Suisse – Bern, Switzerland
June 3 Hampden Park – Glasgow, Scotland
June 4 City of Manchester Stadium – Manchester, England
June 7 Ricoh Stadium – Coventry, England
June 9 St. Mary’s Stadium – Southampton, England
June 10 National Bowl Milton Keynes – London, England
June 11 National Bowl Milton Keynes – London, England
June 13 KC Stadium – Hull, England

I thought it had something to do with the World Cup starting up soon, with qualifying games and such.

because they own a plane maybe?

Well yeah, but I doubt they fly the equipment from country to country in Europe, do they? Unless it has to go over water of course. lol

On past tours they have had 2 stage rigs, so I guess its the same this time, one travels while the other gets set up!

I know germany, austria and holland are all close to each other but to go from germany to ireland is a strange one!!! Maby its the only dates they could get for certain places???

while one stage is going up, another is coming down and moved to next place. But it also has to do with availability of venues - they need permits, permission and making sure they aint interferring with any sports fixtures etc....

I thought it was very strange. Thought it would make a lot more sense to leave Ireland until before the UK dates.
Also I was looking on a map the other day and Dusseldorf is really close to Koblenz!"

like someone said: it's got to do with the world cup in germany....

Oh and rumours are that they are gonna perform at the world cup in germany ....

Wow, I had no idea there were two stage set ups!