U2 finds YouTube

While many record labels take aim at YouTube in an effort to cut down on its free music sharing capabilities, popular music act U2 is taking a different approach.

The Irish band has partnered up with the video streaming website and agreed to have their show appear live and verbatim on youtube.com. The footage will be from U2’s Sunday show in California at the Rose Bowl. This is the first time the band has done anything like this and in a statement released by the band’s manager, they are all very excited about it. “The band has wanted to do something like this for a long time,” said Paul McGuinness. McGuinness is also quoted by the BBC as saying that streaming on the Internet is "the perfect opportunity to extend the party beyond the stadium." The concert venue, which can hold about 96,000 people, is expected to be sold out. Five continents will have access to the show which will be shown on youtube.com as well as the bands own website, U2.com. According to U2’s website, Youtube is excited about Sunday's concert. '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,' said Chris Maxcy, Director of YouTube Partner Development. Despite being a free-to-watch show online, web surfers will be prompted to donate to the band’s charity from a link that will be posted on youtube.com. The website has also said it will place advertisements around the video, “in the normal manner.” Online concert goers can tune in to youtube.com on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. The U2 360 Tour has been reported as a success since it started in June in Barcelona and has continued to play to sold-out venues across Europe and North America.