U2 frontman Bono has spoken about the growth of music piracy, just weeks after the band's new album leaked online ahead of release.

The singer said he believed it was time someone stopped the “madness” that was affecting new artists.

But he also appeared to suggest that he wasn't the person to lead the rebellion, because “it's not the place for rich rock stars to ask for more money”.

Fans are believed to have downloaded U2's latest release 'No Line On The Horizon' at least 445,000 times before it was officially released last month.

Speaking to USA Today, Bono said: “People think people like me are overpaid and overnourished, and they're not wrong.

“What they're missing is, how does a songwriter get paid? There's no space for a Cole Porter in the modern age.

"It's not the place for rich rock stars to ask for more money, but somebody should fight for fellow artists, because this is madness. Music has become tap water, a utility, where for me it's a sacred thing, so I'm a little offended."

He added: "From punk rock to hip-hop, from heavy metal to country, musicians walk along with a smile and jump like lemmings into the abyss.

“The music business has been thrown to the dogs legislatively."

Despite leaking online, 'No Line On the Horizon' is currently at number one on both the UK and US charts.

(by Jason Gregory)