GLASTONBURY, England, June 25 (UPI) -- U2 interrupted a tour of the United States to make a first-ever appearance at the Glastonbury festival in southwest England, organizers said.
The group headlined Friday night's show for a crowd of about 50,000 people, the BBC reported. The band members and audience seemed undeterred by rainy weather.
U2 continued playing through a protest by Art Uncut, an organization that launched a 20-foot balloon during the opening number, "Even Better Than the Real Thing," with a message "U Pay Your Tax 2." Art Uncut accuses U2 of violating Irish tax laws.
Bono was excited about the performance.
"We haven't played to people who are not our audience for a very long time, so it was just overwhelming for our band," he said.
Business manager Paul McGuinness said U2 "is a global business and pays taxes globally." He said the group obeys Irish tax laws and those of other countries.
Members of Art Uncut scuffled with concert security who brought the balloon down.
Coldplay is Saturday's headliner and Beyonce will close the festival Sunday.
