U2 fans expecting to watch the band's free mini concert in Berlin on Thursday were annoyed to discover that a 12-foot metal barrier had been erected to block the view for those without tickets. Considering the concert was planned to mark the 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the irony was hardly lost on both Berliners and travelers.

"It's completely ridiculous that they are blocking the view," Louis-Pierre Boily, 23, a U2 fan from Quebec without tickets, said in an ABC News story. "I thought it's a free show, but MTV probably wants people to watch it on TV to get their ratings up."

A white tarp draped over the newly-installed fence blocked fans from seeing the stage, which was placed adjacent to Berlin's legendary Brandenburg Gate, from the street. MTV -- the video network that organized the gig with a local promoter, the city and Berlin police -- said the temporary fence was placed "around the site to ensure the safety and security of the attendees at the event as well as residents and businesses in the area."

According to the report, U2's publicists, RMP, refused comment about the barrier. The 10,000 free tickets made available online to fans were gone within three hours of release.
U2 was set to perform just four songs with one slated to be aired later Thursday as part of MTV's European Music Awards.