The Circuit

This is a fine YouTube video of the performance.

People think Cannes is two solid weeks of high-stakes glamour and yachts. The truth is Cannes is a lot more like Rodeo Drive on steroids -- which, as that description suggests, isn't necessarily attractive.

However, almost every Cannes has one moment that, if it doesn't make up for all the others, ensures that any complaints you may have about Cannes fall on deaf ears.

This year, that honor belonged to U2. The band performed on the steps of the Palais at about 12:30 am Sunday morning.

It was a promotional stunt, of course; no Cannes spectacle happens by accident. But if you're going to shut down the Croisette and ensure that no one in the square-mile radius will be able to sleep until 1 am, at least it was for a good cause.

In this case that cause was "U23D," a 3D concert film directed by Mark Pellington and Catherine Owens. It's looking for domestic distribution, something that should arrive in short order. However, the producers didn't take any chances. I can't imagine the amount of planning and bureaucracy required to have U2 perform "Vertigo" and "Where The Streets Have No Name" on the red carpet. (Dana Harris)