03 October 2006
Melua breaks underwater gig world record

Singer Katie Melua has broken a world record by performing the deepest underwater concert ever.

The singer and her five-piece band played two concerts on a gas rig 303 metres before the surface of the North Sea yesterday.

Speaking after the concert, Melua said: "This was definitely the most surreal gig I have ever done."

"The planning behind the concert has been like a military operation. The band, crew and I were put through rigorous training to ensure our safety, including escaping from a submerging cockpit and plunging into the sea in an inflatable life raft."

"The people on the platform were great, the band - as usual - was fantastic and everyone is exhilarated," she said.

The concert, which was attended by workers on the rig, was broadcast on Norwegian television.

Source: RTE