U2 Enlist Jay-Z for Antipodean Tour Support

U2 frontman Bono might not be operating at full capacity yet following his back surgery in May, but happily for fans, those who have shelled out to see the Irish rockers on their upcoming tour Down Under will get two megastars for the price of one. U2 will be supported at their five scheduled antipodean gigs by Jay-Z, Digitalspy reports.

The hip-hop performer, whose most recent album was last year's 'The Blueprint 3,' will play an hour-long opening set at every show on the mini-tour, which kicks off in Auckland, New Zealand on Nov. 25 and runs through a Dec. 18 stop in Perth. U2 and the rapper previously collaborated in November 2009, performing a rendition of the Dublin group's 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' by Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.

As well as a stellar support act, U2 will be providing fans with all the delights of their current 'in the round' stage set-up at the New Zealand and Australian shows. "It was important to the band that we were able to bring the whole '360 Degrees' production to Australia and New Zealand so fans could experience the latest of U2's legendary productions," explained Paul McGuinness, the group's manager.

Full U2 antipodean tour dates are as follows:

Auckland Mount Smart Stadium, New Zealand (Nov. 25)
Melbourne Etihad Stadium, Australia (Dec. 1)
Brisbane Suncorp Stadium, Australia (Dec. 8)
Sydney ANZ Stadium, Australia (Dec. 13)
Perth Sunbiaco Oval, Australia (Dec. 18)