YouTube is working hard to move beyond its UGC roots. It has struck deal with U2 to live stream the band’s LA concert.
U2’s concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California on Sunday will be streamed live on video-sharing website YouTube, the band have announced.
Manager Paul McGuinness said that, as the gig was already being filmed, it was “the perfect opportunity to extend the party beyond the stadium”.
Fans in 16 countries, including the UK, the US, Australia and India, will be able to watch the show at 0330 GMT.
It will be the band’s penultimate concert of the year.
McGuinness said that U2 had “wanted to do something like this for a long time”.
He added: “Fans often travel long distances to come to see U2 - this time U2 can go to them, globally.”
However, it is not the first time that U2 have dabbled in live streaming - they allowed fans to watch a Boston date of their Popmart tour in 1997 via Microsoft’s MSN website.
YouTube has also experimented with live broadcasts in the past, most notably with its YouTube Live show, which premiered on 22 November, 2008 with performances from will.i.am and Katy Perry.
The company, which is owned by Google, is keen to expand its business beyond hosting short amateur clips.
I love U2. They are in my top 5 rock bands of alltime. I think this is a big deal for YouTube. If this becomess a success, then it could convince other bands to follow suite.