British Boy Band, Social Media Darlings “One Direction” Play “Today”

Fueled by a rabid social media-centric fanbase, One Direction stormed the plaza at Rockefeller Center

How does a British boy band with very little radio play presence in the United States fill the plaza outside of Rockefeller Center with hundreds of screaming girls? Thank Twitter.

Fueled by a rabid social media-centric fanbase, the band One Direction, which was formed in 2010 and came in third on the seventh season of the UK's reality competition series "The X Factor," performed live on "Today" in what was, for many, their introduction to U.S. audiences.

The hashtag #OneDirectionTODAY topped Twitter Trends Monday morning as the band took the stage to thunderous applause and cheers from fans, many of whom camped out to see the 5-member singing group.

One Direction performed their single "What Makes You Beautiful," which won Best British Single at this year's BRIT Awards.

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