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U2 in surprise rooftop gig at BBC U2 in surprise rooftop gig at BBC
(20 minutes later)
Rock band U2 have played a surprise gig on top of BBC Broadcasting House to promote the launch of their 12th studio album No Line On The Horizon.Rock band U2 have played a surprise gig on top of BBC Broadcasting House to promote the launch of their 12th studio album No Line On The Horizon.
A crowd of around 5,000 watched the rooftop show in London on Friday, said BBC reporter Darryl Chamberlain.A crowd of around 5,000 watched the rooftop show in London on Friday, said BBC reporter Darryl Chamberlain.
The Irish band have been special guests on BBC Radio 1 and rumours of the gig appeared on internet message boards.The Irish band have been special guests on BBC Radio 1 and rumours of the gig appeared on internet message boards.
The short performance kicked off with Get On Your Boots, the first single from their new collection of songs. The short performance of two new and two old songs started with Get On Your Boots and ended with Beautiful Day.
Earlier the band revealed they are preparing to tour later this year, and hope to offer tickets with cheaper, recession-busting prices. The BBC's Darryl Chamberlain, who was at the scene, said: "Some people tried to crowd on to traffic islands to see them... the crowd was screaming and cheering.
"Others were spilling out of pubs and shops to see it, and looking out of windows. It was a good natured crowd and people really seemed to be enjoying it."
Police closed Portland Place in Westminster to divert traffic away from the area, the BBC reporter added.
Earlier the band revealed they are preparing to tour later this year, and hope to offer tickets with cheaper, recession-busting prices.News of the unannounced gig spread on internet message boards
Frontman Bono told BBC Radio 1's Jo Whiley they had "something very special planned" for early summer.Frontman Bono told BBC Radio 1's Jo Whiley they had "something very special planned" for early summer.
He added that it was "a whole way of trying to do shows outdoors and make them very intimate".He added that it was "a whole way of trying to do shows outdoors and make them very intimate".
'Great honour'
In an interview on Radio 5 Live with Simon Mayo, Bono said that he had "gone off" Get On Your Boots a few weeks ago, but was now "back on it".In an interview on Radio 5 Live with Simon Mayo, Bono said that he had "gone off" Get On Your Boots a few weeks ago, but was now "back on it".
"It's a small song, a tiny little song, a little shot of adrenalin," he added."It's a small song, a tiny little song, a little shot of adrenalin," he added.
'Great honour'
Another song from the album, Breathe, had its live debut at an intimate Radio 1 concert on Friday morning.Another song from the album, Breathe, had its live debut at an intimate Radio 1 concert on Friday morning.
Bono told the audience: "This is a great honour. This is the first time we've played these songs to people, so we hope we don't screw it up."Bono told the audience: "This is a great honour. This is the first time we've played these songs to people, so we hope we don't screw it up."
He said they were "trying" to work on some cheaper ticket prices, but added: "We're also going to have some very expensive ticket prices because rich people have feelings too!"He said they were "trying" to work on some cheaper ticket prices, but added: "We're also going to have some very expensive ticket prices because rich people have feelings too!"
Radio 1 also apologised on-air immediately after Bono used an expletive to describe Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin.Radio 1 also apologised on-air immediately after Bono used an expletive to describe Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin.
The BBC said it had received no complaints about it.The BBC said it had received no complaints about it.