Barbra Streisand set for capital show

BY DAVE BURGESS

The woman who brought us The Way We Were could be about to celebrate the way we are now.

It is understood that negotiations are under way for Barbra Streisand to perform a concert at Westpac Stadium next year – which marks the 10th anniversary of the venue opening.

And planning is still under way to bring Irish band U2 to Wellington for two shows using their state-of-the-art stage called "The Claw".

An official planning document for the stadium's anniversary year, obtained by The Dominion Post, indicates Streisand could be belting out hits such as You Don't Bring Me Flowers and Memory in March or April.

The prolific actor and singer, 67, released her 63rd album in September. A source said the Streisand concert was a real possibility and hopes were high that it would be confirmed in the near future.

Streisand did not perform in front of a live audience in nearly three decades after a severe case of stage fright got the better of her. She overcame her fear and returned to the stage in 1993.

The contact also confirmed that negotiations were continuing for the two U2 concerts.

It was initially hoped that they would be staged in February or March, which would have led to a one-day cricket international between the Black Caps and Australia being moved to the Basin Reserve.

It now looks likely the concerts will be scheduled in October or November next year.

U2 are using a 50-metre-high stage set - dubbed "The Claw" - for their 360 degree world tour, which started in Barcelona in June.

Because The Claw is round and open on all sides, it would be a perfect fit for Westpac Stadium.

It would also add about 20,000 extra fans to each stadium concert, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

Westpac Stadium marketing manager Steve Thompson declined to comment about any planned concerts.

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- © Fairfax NZ News