[Archive 2008-11-23] YouTube hosts live music events in Japan and US

Historical archive — originally published 2008-11-23. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

The online video sharing site YouTube has today hosted the first official "YouTube Live" event, which featured many popular musicians and contributors to the site.

Two events took place, one in San Francisco, United States and one in Japan, with the event in the US featuring artists such as Joe Satriani, Akon and Katy Perry.

Another performer at the event, which started this morning at 0100 UTC, was will.i.am, who published his song "Yes We Can" on YouTube, with the video receiving millions of views on the site. The song was based on Barack Obama's concession speech after losing the New Hampshire Democratic Primary to Hillary Clinton. At the event will.i.am presented his song "In My Name," which calls for an end to child poverty.

YouTube has stated that, between them, the more than 50 artists performing at the event have 2.5 billion views for their videos on its website.

The audience of the event was primarily notable contributors and partners to the video sharing site.

Source and licence

Text adapted from YouTube hosts live music events in Japan and US by Wikinews contributors under CC BY 2.5. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. Contributor history.