U2ube: Millions tune into band’s live gig

MILLIONS of people around the world watched U2’s show from the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California via the internet at the same time as thousands of fans who packed into the stadium.

The Dublin band became the first stadium- packing stars to allow a full live show to be streamed for free on YouTube on Monday.

The internet show was eagerly awaited since last week when fans were told of the rockers’ plan to tie-up with the video-sharing website.

The move came after Bono expressed disappointment with sales of the band’s new album No Line on the Horizon.

U2 manager Paul McGuinness said the band had wanted to do something like this for a long time.

The Rose Bowl show was U2’s penultimate show this year on the 360 Degrees Tour and sold out to the biggest crowd of more than 96,000 fans.

Bono told the crowd: “Thank you Los Angeles. Thanks to everyone watching on YouTube all over the world – seven continents.” The band performed classic hits including I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For to rapturous applause.

Michele Flannery, YouTube’s music manager, said YouTube was thrilled to be able to provide a global audience with a live streaming performance from one of the world’s greatest bands.

“We are always looking for new ways to connect fans around the world with their favourite artists, and this is the perfect opportunity to do just that,” he said.

Yesterday, a message posted at U2’s YouTube hub promised that the show will be available for “encore viewing soon”.