Members of U2 have hit back at claims they have sought to shield millions of euro in overseas tax havens.
In an interview with Sky News, Bono insisted the band pays a fortune in tax and it was "sensible" to move some of their business to the Netherlands.
"It is just some smart people we have working for us trying to be sensible about the way we are taxed," he said.
"We pay a fortune in tax, a fortune, just so people know, and we're happy to pay a fortune in tax."
"Because you're good at philanthropy and because I am an activist people think you should be stupid in business and I don't run with that."
The Edge added: "So much of our business is outside of Ireland so it is ridiculous to make a big deal out of it."
The band began its first tour in four years with a gig held in Vancouver last night. The 70-date Innocence and Experience show is almost sold out.
U2's last tour was the highest grossing by any band in history. This time they are playing small indoor arenas rather than stadiums.
Bono is still recovering from the injuries he suffered in a bicycle accident in Central Park in New York last November.
He said: "There's nothing cool about falling off your push bike. I just feel so stupid. I did make a mess of myself but I'm strong now and feel good."
The new show features a spectacular giant display screen, at times dividing the venue in two and providing numerous stages.
Images from the past tell the story of what has inspired them.
Bono said: "We wanted to be back indoors again and we're using this contraption that looks like a yellow Berlin Wall to tell the stories behind those songs (and) where we came from. A lot is set in Dublin in the 70s."
The Edge said: "It is kind of like your first day back at school. So familiar, but we've not been on the road for quite a few years so you have to go through a process of re-learning certain things."
"We're excited about this new show and the production."
The band also faced an online backlash when Apple pushed their last album to users who had not bought it.
Bono says it does not feature high on the list of "great human rights abuses of our time" but says Apple "got a big tech backlash".
As part of the promotion for the tour the band went busking in disguise on the New York subway for a US TV show.
They made US$17 (€14) in donations, they say.
The band members say they are delighted to be back on the road.
"We love this, this is what we do. It is not exactly the van on the M1, which we did and loved. It is very joyous. It is incredible to be in a room with 20,000 people who all agree on something," Bono said.
