3.15pm: Band on stage and warming up for tonight's show.

After flying in late from Germany last night, the band have just completed soundchecking.

Thousands of fans queuing outside heard 'I Will Follow' coming over the PA system, followed by 'Miracle Drug' and then 'Vertigo'. "Manchester, Manchester...Hello, Hello!"

It's a pretty grey day but there's no rain yet and the City of Manchester Stadium, built for the Commonwealth Games, is a fantastically intimate venue. It's not warm today, but it should be a hot show.