U2 plays Dublin rooftop

LONDON-- U2's performance of its upcoming single "Beautiful Day" from atop its self-owned Clarence Hotel in Dublin, Ireland, on Wednesday (9/27) attracted a crowd of approximately 4,000 people. Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. were recording a special show for British music program "Top of the Pops" to be aired next month.

U2 also performed the song "Elevation" from its upcoming album "All That You Can't Leave Behind," which is due in the U.K. on Oct. 30 and will be preceded by "Beautiful Day" on Oct. 9.

The group confirmed that it will perform at the MTV Europe Awards on Nov. 16. Band manager Paul McGuinness has hinted that U2 will kick off a world tour in March, 2001.

The last time U2 played on a rooftop was at the Million Dollar Hotel in Los Angeles in 1987. It performed "Where the Streets Have No Name" from the album "The Joshua Tree," and attempted to play a full set for the crowd gathered below, but was interrupted by Los Angeles police, who shut down the show after just a few songs. That performance--including the police interruption--became the video for the single.

The Edge said during yesterday's performance, "The last time we played on a roof they threw us off [figuratively]. This time it's our own roof--so they can't touch us."