Joe Cumia isn't saying his U2 tribute band, 2U, is even better than the real thing.

But he and his three bandmates make it hard to hear — and see — the difference between 2U and the Irish megagroup once labeled "Rock's Hottest Ticket."

As worldwide popularity for the real U2 remains at an atmospheric level, 2U has been filling pubs, clubs and festival fields by emulating them to a T — as in the sleeveless T-shirt often worn by U2 drummer Larry Mullen. Or the black, fly-eyed Armani sunglasses sported by U2 frontman Bono.

The sights and sounds of a live U2 show — minus the steep ticket prices and large customer demand — are coming to Lancaster's Village Nightclub.

2U, officially billed as "The World's 2nd-best U2 Show," will take the stage Saturday night inside 205 N. Christian St.

Cumia, who founded the group and impersonates lead guitarist The Edge, said his band is hoping to play a two-hour set.

"It's a matter of suspending disbelief for that period of time," Cumia said this week from his Long Island, N.Y., home. "It's basically Beatlemania for the band U2."

Cumia was inspired eight years ago by U2's music and rabid following of fans to form a tribute band.

Two years after covering some of the supergroup's well-known tracks, like "With or Without You," "Where the Streets Have no Name" and "One," Cumia wanted to push the envelope even further.

So, the band started wearing U2's actual stage garb and digging deeper into their expansive catalog, learning non-singles and even B-sides.

"Silver and Gold." "Party Girl." Are you kidding me?

It was all an effort to make a more complete tribute to Bono, Edge, Mullen, and bassist Adam Clayton, Cumia said.

Cumia recalled the first inspiration to make 2U's live show a more visual experience. The band's "Bono" came to a gig one day wearing a cheap pair of black sunglasses.

The next thing Cumia knew, his drummer was wearing Mullen's trademark Sun Studios T-shirt.

"He even cut off the sleeves," Cumia said.

Cumia followed the trend, buying a heap of 30-cent brimless caps — a mainstay on top of the "real" Edge's slim frame. He even chopped his hair to a buzzcut to fit the bill.

"It is essentially acting. It's playing a part," Cumia said. "We have a bunch of guys who are ringers. They dress the part and play the part. We've studied the moves and the attitude. It's done verbatim."

The makeover has helped distinguish 2U, Cumia said, from the 65 other cover bands in the world that are exclusively devoted to U2 music.

"They like to call themselves tribute bands," Cumia said, "but they don't follow closely to what U2 does live. We like to emulate what U2 do on stage."

Many of those "other" bands aren't in such demand to make their gigs a full-time job either. On the other hand, Cumia said, with 2U, "we found a way to make a full-time living for four guys."

Cumia's band has played in some faraway places, including recent trips to Panama, Honduras and Tobago.

In fact, 2U's reputation has prompted such demand that Cumia has to balk at some offers.

He has repeatedly been asked to bring his band to Europe and Asia, but hasn't yet found the right fit.

"Sure, it would be nice to take a free trip to Ireland, but we have to get paid as well," Cumia said. "The band is known as a world-class act."

Cumia said he is often flattered with comparisons to the real thing, but is irked by cynics who criticize his band for "wanting to be like U2."

"No we don't," Cumia responds to those critics. "We just want to put their music out there — and make people happy."

Visit www.notu2.com for more information on 2U.

2U, with Cinder Hill, Sat., 9:30 p.m., The Village, 205 N. Christian St., 397-5000.

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com