Edge, Larry and Bono showed up for Carnival, celebrated by millions of Brazilians in Salvador yesterday.

Edge was first on the scene, arriving during a performance from Ivete Sangalo, the biggest selling recording artist in the country. Bono was hard on his heels, greeted by the Culture Minister of Brazil, Gilberto Gil, and his wife Flora.

Ivete was singing a track called Vertigo, and seeing as Bono happened to know the words, he joined in... to the unrestrained delight of the huge crowds.

When Larry arrived, the reception was also massive. 'The Brazilians are very generous,' he said. 'They sure know how to throw a good party.'

As the band watched the party a number of trucks passed by from which local artists performed U2 songs in celebration of the special guests.

At one stage the mic was thrown to Bono who performed an impromptu version of Bob Marley's No Woman No Cry. A delighted crowd broke into loud chants of 'U2, U2, U2'.

Carnival is a traditional period of partying that begins today and ends on Ash Wednesday next week.