(The Mirror / Paul Martin) -- U2 are preparing to hit the road again for a huge world tour and with it a return to performing in gigantic stadiums, I can reveal.

The band have been locked in meetings about the release of their new album and a subsequent tour that will last almost a year.

Insiders say BONO and the band are seriously considering going back to their stadium shows after ditching them in favour of more intimate arenas on their last tour.

My spy revealed: "The album is nearly finished and now attention is turning to their touring plans.

"Bono is in favour of doing more stadium shows because so many fans missed out on tickets on the Elevation tour.

"If they end up performing outdoors they want a huge, spectacular stage show to go with it.

"If you thought the Pop Mart tour was visually impressive then you should see what they are talking about for this one."

The band last performed in Ireland when they headlined two record-breaking nights at Slane in 2001. But their rest of their tour was confined to arenas in America and Europe that held little more than 20,000 fans each night.

Sources close to the group say the band are in the early stages of making plans for the tour but indications are that they will kick it off next summer.

Shows in America, Brazil, Australia and Europe have been planned. The insider added: "It's going to be one of the great rock and roll tours.

"U2 are without doubt one of the greatest live bands out there. The Elevation tour really put them at the top of the ladder again."

The band have been working on their new album for the last eight months and Bono says it is nearly complete.

The 43-year-old revealed: "It's going to be a raw sound which will be driven by THE EDGE'S angry guitar playing.

"We are closer than ever to making the kind of music that we always wanted to. It's a very exciting time."