Moncton concert officials are using the quiet winter months to start gearing up for next summer's concert season.

After a busy 2009 that saw Bon Jovi and AC/DC rock the Magnetic Hill outdoor concert venue, promoters are on the hunt for big name acts setting up tour schedules.

But it is clear that iconic rock band U2 is topping the local wish list. A group on the social-networking site Facebook called "Bring U2 to Magnetic Hill" has more than 1,900 members.

Ian Fowler, the city's general manager of tourism, who is in charge of booking concerts in Moncton, said he understands the interest in attracting U2 to the city but he isn't making any commitments.

"U2 is the talk of who everybody would like to see. We certainly know they're touring next summer," Fowler said.

"We would love to have them at Magnetic Hill but at this point in time it would be premature to make any comments one way or the other."

If Fowler has an idea of a potential roster of summer concerts, he isn't in the business of offering any hints.

"We certainly won't give any hints as to what we're looking at. As you're aware we try to guard our business side of things better than Santa guards his Christmas list," he said.

No concerts during track championships

Any potential Moncton mega-concerts will have to be scheduled around the 2010 International Association of Athletics Federations World Junior Track and Field Championships that are being held from July 19 to 24.

"We have to take into consideration there's about a three-week window next summer with the World Junior Track and Field Championships that you know we won't be in the market for concerts during that period," Fowler said.

But Fowler said the city is open to more than one concert.

And he said smaller shows will be able to play at the new stadium once the track and field championships are over.