With regards to discussion of rehearsals that occurred earlier in the thread ...
U2 always practice before tour. Some recent examples.
ZooTV: I'm sure we're familiar with stuff such as the Hershey Tapes. I know they practiced before the opening leg, Outside Broadcast, Zooropa, and considering the new songs, they had to do something for Zoomerang/New Zooland, though I don't know of it.
Popmart: Multiple nights of practice in Las Vegas. Boots exist.
Elevation: Multiple nights of practice in Miami. Video footage even exists of one night.
So yes, they will be practicing somewhere before the new tour, for at least a week. Lucky city that gets them!
On the new stuff, American Prayer is NOT a boring song, thankyouverymuch, Hands is a beautiful piece of work, and Electrical Storm (especially the leaked demo) is wonderful. I just wish William Orbit had never been allowed to get near it. What did he think he was doing? Grr.