U2 GIG STREAMED LIVE ON YOUTUBE

U2 became the first stadium-packing stars to allow a full live show to be streamed for free on YouTube.

Millions of people around the world could watch the Irish band'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 rockers revealed the tie-up with the video-sharing website last week.

U2 manager Paul McGuinness said: "The band has wanted to do something like this for a long time.

"As we're filming the Los Angeles show, it's the perfect opportunity to extend the party beyond the stadium. Fans often travel long distances to come to see U2 - this time U2 can go to them, globally."

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.

Wearing his trademark sunglasses, lead singer Bono said: "Thank you Los Angeles. Thanks to everyone watching on YouTube all over the world - seven continents."

The band performed classic U2 hits including I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For to rapturous applause.

Michele Flannery, YouTube's music manager, said: "YouTube is thrilled to be able to provide our 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."