Garth Brooks has said he decided to return to Ireland to embody his successful Irish gigs during the 80s and 90s, rather than the drama of 2014.
Brooks, who said he has lost 50 pounds in preparation for the shows, told journalists at Croke Park today that the concerts will be a "love fest". He also announced that he will be performing a song for the first time in 20 years.
"In entertaining, you don't take your foot off the gas," he said. "Guess what, we haven't played in 15 or 20 years? 'If Tomorrow Never Comes'.
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"Last time we did it with a big ass band was in the Point. You want to give them what they want. It will be a joy to sing that song."
Making a joke about the ominous weather forecast for the weekend, Brooks said: "I've waited for this forever and now, freaking hurricanes, are you kidding me? I don't care. I'm going to dance in the rain if I have to.
'We have a chance to have a really good love fest, a chance to have something for the world to report about that's good. Every second that passes, it gets more real which means we get more excited."
The 60-year-old noted that there is "pressure" to put on a show for those who have been waiting for his return since the 2014 saga, but said the reason for his comeback was to embody his The Point concerts in the 90's.
The singer said: "This is my take on 2014, everybody was victims of the debacle and now we are finally getting to see each other and shake hands. It was supposed to start the come back tour. If there's a blessing in the curse, I can't think of a better way to end the comeback tour than to play in the greatest place on earth so I feel very lucky...
"I’m not here because of 2014, I’m here because 1987 and the Point in the early 90s. You can say you’re an entertainer but you haven’t entertained until you’ve entertained Ireland."
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Brooks will kick off his five nights at GAA headquarters tomorrow night and will also perform on Saturday and Sunday, followed by two more on September 16 and 17. A whopping 400,000 people are expected to travel to Croker for the gigs. All 32 counties are represented by ticketholders and at least 5% of attendees will be coming from outside Ireland.
Due to the large numbers of revellers, organisers are warning people to plan their journey to and from Croke Park, as there is only one car park close to the venue that holds 400 cars, and traffic restrictions will be in place near the venue. People aged under 14 will not be allowed on to the standing/pitch area, and bags must be less than an A4 size and will be searched on the way into the venue.
Attendees are also asked to double-check the date on their tickets and are reminded that the show starts at 7.30pm, with gates open from 5pm. Croke Park bosses said the cut-off point for Brooks to be off stage is 10.30pm but he will be ready to perform at 7.30pm, suggesting each show will last almost three hours each night.
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