Yesterday afternoon, U2 announced a free concert in New York City's Times Square to take place a few hours later and feature some of the biggest names in music. Monday (Dec. 1) marked World AIDS Day, dedicated to raising awareness for AIDS research and taking steps towards making the world an AIDS-free environment, and U2 has been on the front lines of the movement for some time. But the event—put on by (RED)—was almost derailed before it could begin due to U2 frontman Bono's serious bike accident in Central Park in mid-November which left the Irish singer with multiple fractures. But that's where the star power stepped in.

The announcement was made that the band that took the stage would be called U2 Minus 1—doctors would not clear Bono to participate—and that the likes of Chris Martin from Coldplay and Bruce Springsteen would assist the trio of remaining musicians, while country superstar Carrie Underwood and Kanye West would also perform. Unsurprisingly, promised appearances by five of the biggest artists in the world packed Times Square to the brim despite the cold drizzle that permeated the evening.

The event opened with an address from former President Bill Clinton, who presented stats that indicated that this was the first year that more people received live-saving medicine to help combat AIDS than were diagnosed with the disease. U2 opened with "Beautiful Day" and "With Or Without You," assisted by Martin, while Underwood also performed two songs for the thousands assembled. But—at least where I was standing—everyone was really there to see what Kanye West would do.

Opening with "Power," Yeezy ran through a career-spanning set wearing a single gold chain and his now-customary grey sweatshirt. He followed that with a powerful run through "Jesus Walks"—of course—before ripping through the first verse of "New Slaves," which took so much out of him that he wound up laying on the stage, and powering straight into "Stronger." The only off-the-cuff moment came towards the end of "Stronger," when the track seemingly should have cut off. "Next song, it's supposed to cut," 'Ye said to someone on the side of the stage. "Next song, it's supposed to cut. We on TV!" Then "Touch The Sky" abruptly kicked in and the crowd flowed right along with it until Yeezy dropped the mic and walked off stage.

U2 re-emerged with Bruce Springsteen for another two songs—"Where The Streets Have No Name" and "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"—before the night wrapped up and the rain really started coming down. So to recap: two presidential speeches (Clinton and pre-recorded remarks from Barack Obama), four songs from U2—including two assisted by Chris Martin and two by Bruce Springsteen—two songs from Carrie Underwood, and Kanye still managed to sneak five songs into his set, the most of anyone.

Never change, Kanye. Never change.

You can check the full hour-long video below; Yeezy starts at the 27:10 mark.

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