U2's Tribute to Lost Miners Shocks New Zealand Fans

U2's New Zealand fans have reacted angrily to the tribute Bono paid to the miners lost in the recent explosions at the country's River Pike colliery.

As previously reported by Spinner, during 'One Tree Hill' a giant screen above the stage scrolled through the names of the 29 miners who perished in the disaster.

But it wasn't the only tribute the band paid to the lost men. Telling the crowd, "People have ways of dealing with grief, in Ireland we sing" before launching into 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For', Bono's comments followed by the hugely inappropriate choice of song has not surprisingly left many upset.

According to reports, parts of the sold-out crowd were in a state of disbelief as the song reverberated around Auckland's Mt. Smart stadium on Thursday night, Nov. 25.

An onlooker (via the Daily Star) said, "Bono made two mentions of the miners, but it was a really awkward moment for the first. I don't think I was the only one who thought it was more than a little insensitive. People were looking round at each other."