Bruce Cockburn opening for U2 would be odd. He's a fine musician, but not exactly the type to open up for U2.
Since we're listing bands:
- Black Mountain (although not exactly the type of band that U2 would choose, but a great band)
- The Pink Mountaintops (see above)
- The New Pornographers (they would be a great opening act, especially if Neko Case showed up. They also have a lot of material to work from.)
- Wintergloves (Fun band and a good live show.)
- Wintersleep (I'm not a big fan of theirs, but they fit the U2 opening-act mold a la Snow Patrol and The Script)
- Matt Mays and El Torpedo (an o.k. band with a decent sound, but he would be better paired opening for Matthew Good)
- Joe Plaskett and the Emergency (Might be too folky for the crowd)
- Kathleen Edwards (Talented, but she's an alt-country singer that may not sit well with the U2 crowd)
- The Great Lake Swimmers (Very good band, but too mellow and roots based.)
- The Besnard Lakes (Excellent band with a great sound, but they don't have the stadium anthem songs to get a crowd going.)
- Beast (Here's a band that would fit U2's tendency to showcase newer bands with a new sound.)
Besides The Arcade Fire, I would hope for Beast, The New Pornographers, Stars, and Tokyo Polic Club.
But for non-Canadian bands, I'm hoping for TV on the Radio.