U2 just announced the launch of U2X Radio during a special livestream on stage in Tokyo. U2X Radio is the new creative partnership between the band and SiriusXM, which will include a dedicated SiriusXM channel and exclusive content available only to SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners.

“Generally when I open my mouth people prefer if I’m singing, but on U2X RADIO, maybe they’ll forgive me the odd interruption…," joked Bono of the announcement.

Larry Mullen added, “It all sounds exhausting to me but if people really want to listen to us for 24 hours a day, this is the way to do it.”

The announcement was made by U2, live from The Joshua Tree Tour stage at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan, with a cut-in from frontman Bono to Howard Stern on his SiriusXM channel “Howard 100,” which saw the tour’s massive 200x40 ft screen light up with a video tribute to radio ahead of a live performance of the band’s hit ‘Elevation’.

A simultaneous stream by U2 on Facebook Live allowed fans around the world to hear the news of U2X RADIO as it happened.

“I’m not entirely sure what this is but what it isn’t is an opportunity to hear some bass solos… U2 24/7," teased Adam Clayton. "Welcome to the last 43 years of my life.”

U2X RADIO will launch in 2020 with the band themselves taking to the airwaves and will feature music from U2’s acclaimed decades-long career; never before heard interviews and live concert recordings; favourites and surprises from the archive; band-curated playlists sharing personal influences both new and old; plus content celebrating their Dublin roots and much, much more.

“So I get to sit around having a laugh with my musician friends and playing our favourite music. As I always say, I have the best job in the world!," said the Edge.

In the livestream, black screens emblazoned with a sparkling joshua tree slowly revealed handwritten text:

I remember radio keeping me company under the sheets
I remember pirate radio out at sea rocking me to sleep

I think of radio as air you can be on
I think of radio as bringing me to song

Then, 'U2X Radio' filled the screen and psychedelic graphics appeared as the band walked on stage and Bono screamed, "Howard Stern can you hear us? Why so serious, X FM?" a play on his radio show on Sirius XM. The band will be joining the Sirius XM team with their own radio station.

U2 has sold more than 170 million records worldwide and has won 22 Grammy awards, more than any other band or group. Their most recent album Songs Of Experience debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, setting the band apart as the only one in history to have topped the chart in four successive decades, including eight albums that reached number one in the U.S.

“U2 has unparalleled influence as musicians, social activists and global cultural icons. The band’s ability to evolve has enabled it to create a large and diverse library of hit songs, as well as four-plus decades’ worth of renowned live performances. U2X RADIO and the offering on Pandora will provide listeners new access and insights into one of the world’s most accomplished bands. We could not be more excited to welcome Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry to the SiriusXM family,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.

U2 joins LeBron James’ UNINTERRUPTED, platinum recording artist Drake and comic book giant Marvel Entertainment in coming to SiriusXM and Pandora for exclusive content and access. They also join other iconic and leading artists who are featured on their own dedicated SiriusXM channels, such as Phish, Garth Brooks, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

The band then played their hit song, 'Elevation' after which the stream promptly went black again.

U2 are currently completing the Japanese leg of their Joshua Tree world tour, which sees the band playing across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and India. Fans have been speculating what's next for the band – apparently it's radio!

Rewatch the livestream for yourself below.