Over the 60 years of Cannes, the festival has had many iconic moments. From Brigitte Bardot posing on the beach in a bikini and Madonna slowly making her way to to the Palais for a screening of "Truth or Dare" amidst a throng of fans, to rows of Stormtroopers lining the famous red steps for the world premiere of the final "Star Wars" film. Add to the list the sight of Irish rock band U2 performing live on the red carpet in Cannes earlier this week. While Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. missed a festival press conference due to flight delays back in Ireland, they group drew thousands to the Croisette as rumors spread of their plan to play live at the Palais. Equipment was set up at the top of the stairs and after midnight a DJ began playing U2 songs as the crowd just got bigger and bigger. The band performed a pair of songs -- "Vertigo" and "Where the Streets Have No Name" -- before walking into the Lumiere theater for their 1 a.m. world premiere, but not before Bono could salute the festival. With the crowd cheering, he proclaimed, "Bon anniversaire, Cannes!"

(For footage of U2 playing on the steps, from AMC's video coverage of  Cannes, click here.)