Furious U2 fans are forced to wait for hours in huge one-kilometre queue to get into SCG concert - as others complain they can't even see the band because of the low stage and lack of a big screen

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U2 fans have been left furious after they were forced to wait in a kilometre-long queue in the pouring rain on Friday evening to see the Irish music legends perform in Sydney.

Fans queued from 8am today for general admission at the Joshua Tree Tour event at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The warm-up bands started at 6.30pm but an hour-and-a-half later fans were complaining the general admission line was still a kilometre in length.

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U2 fans have been forced to wait in a kilometre-long queue (pictured) in the pouring rain on Friday evening to see the Irish music legends perform in Sydney

Fans have been queuing since 8am in the morning for floor space general admission  (pictured fans already in the general admission area) on Friday evening at the Joshua Tree Tour event at the Sydney Cricket Ground

'It's out of control - half a mile long queue at 8pm to get into GA,' one Twitter user wrote

'It's out of control - half a mile long queue at 8pm to get into GA,' one Twitter user wrote.

Another video taken of the line on Driver Avenue showed those with only floor access to the event queuing well past the now-demolished Allianz Stadium.

Some who may have otherwise missed the start were fortunate though a weather delay meant support act Noel Gallagher did not arrive on stage until 6.50pm.

Once inside the venue, concertgoers - some of whom paid $530 for their tickets - were also unimpressed with the set-up, complaining about the big screen not being turned on and the lines for food and drink.

One fan, reported the queues for food and drink were a 'shambles' (above, the drinks line) and the only food he could buy was a packed of salt and vinegar chips for $6 - and that no one could find any toilets

One fan said the only food he could buy after queuing for 30 minutes was a single packet of salt and vinegar chips.

 'This is an absolute shambles. There was a massive line to get in, there's not enough food or drink outlets for people, so there's massive lines. No one can find any toilets,' he said.

'It reminds you of those old black and white clips of those desperate people queuing up to get into New York in the 19th century.' 

The SCG's official Twitter account attempted to appease angry fans by saying the screen would be turned on after the fourth song.

But one fan claimed that was not the case, saying 'we're way past song four and still no big screen.'

The SCG's official Twitter account attempted to appease angry fans by saying the screen would be turned on after the fourth song (pictured U2 performing their tour in Adelaide on Tuesday)

Once inside the venue, concertgoers were also unimpressed with the set-up with some complaining about the big screen not being turned on

Another video (pictured taken of the line on Driver Avenue showed those with only floor access to the event queuing well past the now-demolished Allianz Stadium

The line to get into the general admission section was seen snaking into the distance outside the SCG

'I paid more than $250 for a ticket and I can't even see the band - worst organisation ever!' they added. 

'Shocking staging and no screen,' one person wrote on social media. 

'Show's started now and new seats are c**p. Thanks for the stuff up,' one person added. 

Adam Clayton, Bono, Larry Mullen Jnr and The Edge of U2 did end up wowing the crowd at the SCG despite concertgoers complaining of logistical issues

The SCG had laid out a strict policy for general admission before the event, with the official line starting strictly at 8am

One attendee said the event was a 'complete shambles', although it wasn't clear what aspect of the organisation of the event she was referring to

One attendee said the event was a 'complete shambles', although it wasn't clear what aspect of the organisation of the event she was referring to.

Other complaints included the lack of a raised stage, meaning it was difficult for fans to see who was performing.

'Shocking seating arrangement and set up - money back,' one person wrote. 

One attendee said the event was a 'complete shambles', while the lack of a raised stage was an issue for others

Other complaints included the lack of a raised stage, meaning it was difficult for fans to see who was performing

Other fans said they enjoyed the performance.

One said they had a 'sensational night' at the concert, while another said it was 'epic'.

'Boy did I go through the range of emotions. And I had an amazing spot!' they said. 

Others praised the tribute to INXS frontman Michael Hutchence.

Bono praised the 'Australian spirit' and paid a moving tribute to his late friend Michael Hutchence on the anniversary of his death at U2's show in Sydney.

Thousands held their lighted phones in the air as the frontman dedicated the band's 2001 hit Stuck In A Moment to the INXS singer, describing him as an 'awe-inspiring man'.

Some of Hutchence's loved ones were in the audience, Bono said, as he told the crowd 'one of your country's brightest lights' had gone out 22 years ago.

'He was a light for me, he was a light for a lot of us,' Bono said.

Fans sang along in full voice as Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr and Adam Clayton worked their way through the full tracklist of the critically acclaimed 1987 album as well as more recent hits, including Beautiful Day and Elevation.

Bono has saluted the firefighters battling unprecedented bushfires across the country at concerts in other Australian cities, with the band even stopping to personally thank a firefighting crew they ran into at Melbourne airport earlier this week.

On Friday night, he said those he had met embodied the spirit of the nation.

'Men and women, volunteers, leaving their homes and families to protect other people's homes and families. They felt like the Australian spirit alright,' he said to huge cheers and applause.

This is U2's first tour of Australia since their 360 tour in 2010.

As many as 50,000 are expected at the two Sydney performances of the tour on Friday and Saturday night, and the SCG had laid out a strict policy for general admission before the event.

Organisers said no queuing was allowed before 8am for general admission, and the first 500 ticketholders in line would be given a numbered wristband.

The wristbands meant they could leave at any time and retain their place in the queue. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the SCG and event promoters Live Nation for comment. 

Organisers said no queuing was allowed before 8am for general admission, and the first 500 ticketholders in line would be given a numbered wristband