" Live 8 line-up 'hideously white' "

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Last Updated: Thursday, 2 June, 2005, 12:07 GMT 13:07 UK
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Live 8 line-up 'hideously white'
50 Cent
Rapper 50 Cent is performing in the US concert
A campaign group has called the Live 8 London concert "hideously white" for not having enough black performers.
Superstar Mariah Carey is the only act from an ethnic minority to perform at Hyde Park on 2 July, one of five global Live 8 concerts that day.
London-based group Black Information Link said organisers had "handpicked a virtually all-white line-up".
But a Live 8 spokesman said: "Bob Geldof approached a number of urban and black artists to participate."
But he added that a number were busy with other projects and commitments.
Artists including 50 Cent, Stevie Wonder and are Jay-Z are among those taking part in the Philadelphia concert.
The concerts aim to raise pressure on world leaders to fight poverty in Africa, echoing Bob Geldof's Live Aid concerts 20 years ago.
But Patrick Augustus, a black musician and author of BBC drama Babyfather, said black artists had been "totally excluded" from the London concert.
"It seems like the great white man has come to rescue us while the freedom fighters never get a mention," he wrote on the Black Information Link website.
He said Live 8 organisers "need to engage British, African and Jamaican artists who have been dealing with these subjects for a while".
He added: "Where are the reggae artists that have been campaigning for truth and justice over all these years?"
Justin Onyeka, entertainment editor at black newspaper New Nation, said he was surprised Band Aid 20 performers Dizzie Rascal, Ms Dynamite, Jamelia and Beverley Knight were not included in the line-up.
"It was the same problem 20 years ago when major black artists were backing singers to other acts," he said. "It's time they learnt from previous experience."
The Live 8 spokesman added: "We are not doing a show purely to entertain, we are doing a show to appeal to a mass audience to raise awareness of poverty in Africa.
"We look upon Live 8 as one global concert. A number of urban acts in the UK are hugely talented but they are not well known in Paris or Rome."
Further performers were being asked to participate in addition to those already announced, he said.
Meanwhile Live 8 organisers face a large VAT bill because a portion of the money raised in its text message ticket lottery will be spent organising the event.
Organisers pledged £1.6m to the Princes' Trust charity from money made in a text message ticket competition to win 75,000 pairs of tickets to the London concert.
However they are due to be taxed on the remaining money made from the competition, to be launched on Monday.

The spokesman said: "After the concerts we will start discussions to see if we can get back some of the VAT we were charged. That is what Bob is good at."

Your thoughts?
Who should be on the bill?

― George Watson (Geordie Watson), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:22 (twenty years ago)

Don't blame us, it's the French and Italian who are racist!!

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:25 (twenty years ago)

Superstar Mariah Carey is the only act from an ethnic minority to perform at Hyde Park on 2 July, one of five global Live 8 concerts that day.

wha?

― N_RQ, Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:26 (twenty years ago)

I sort of agree, but 'hideously white' is a term Augustus might need to be more careful with in general.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:27 (twenty years ago)

Not if Bob Geldof's playing.

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:27 (twenty years ago)

So wait weren't the Spice Girls found lacking in esteem or something? How does Captain Candy Shop imply class while they don't? Maybe they should get Al Jarreau.

― miccio (miccio), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:28 (twenty years ago)

The Live 8 concerts are taking place on 2 July in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and Philadelphia. These are the musical acts set to perform at the free events.

Hyde Park, London

Coldplay
Dido
Sir Elton John
Keane
Annie Lennox
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Muse
Scissor Sisters
Sir Paul McCartney
Joss Stone
Razorlight
Stereophonics
Sting
Robbie Williams
U2
REM
Velvet Revolver
Bob Geldof
The Killers
The Cure
Snow Patrol

Museum of Art, Philadelphia

Will Smith (host)
Bon Jovi
Maroon 5
P Diddy
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
The Dave Matthews Band
Sarah McLachlan
Rob Thomas
Keith Urban
50 Cent
Kaiser Chiefs

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Jamiroquai
Craig David
Youssou N'Dour
Yannick Noah
Andrea Bocelli
Calo Gero
Kyo
Placebo
Axelle Red
Johnny Halliday
Manu Chao
Renaud

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

A-ha
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Brian Wilson
Lauryn Hill
Bap
Die Toten Hosen
Peter Maffay

Circus Maximus, Rome

Duran Duran
Faith Hill
Irene Grandi
Jovanotti
Tim McGraw
Nek
Laura Pausini
Vasco Rossi
Zucchero

― George Watson (Geordie Watson), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

I heard a Kenyan journalist making a similar point on the radio last night re: the absence of African performers. I thought he was spot on. It's not about tokenism, it's about avoiding looking cluelessly patronising.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

So hold on performers are being selected for their global appeal and yet we get DER TOTEN HOSEN???

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:31 (twenty years ago)

On the other hand, I suppose the organisers are loathe to upset anybody attending the event by confronting them with good music.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:33 (twenty years ago)

it's about avoiding looking cluelessly patronising.

sure but otoh inviting black artists jsut because 'it's about Africa' could come across the same way. oh the political minefield that is staging benefit gigs for 'the other ones'.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:33 (twenty years ago)

So wait weren't the Spice Girls found lacking in esteem or something? How does Captain Candy Shop imply class while they don't? Maybe they should get Al Jarreau.

Yes, and Geldof should be stomped on by Baby Spice's platforms forever.

― Leon hearts Crazy Frog (Ex Leon), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:33 (twenty years ago)

http://www.coastaltown.nildram.co.uk/jim/ipandertoilmers.jpg

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:34 (twenty years ago)

I know you were joking, steve, but that "other ones" is a whole chunk of the problem with events like this. At least Youssou N'Dour's playing Paris I see, but it's not like there aren't plenty of African musicians with high enough "Global" profiles to at least merit a place on the bill.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:37 (twenty years ago)

Hahahaha, Mariah Carey represents the ethnic minority Phranc.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:44 (twenty years ago)

The UK bill only features 5 acts not British or Irish and these are all American. Even before you get to the race issue it's a hugely conservative, insular, unimaginative selection. But that's the album charts for you.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:45 (twenty years ago)

It's not about tokenism, it's about avoiding looking cluelessly patronising

right, let's be more concerned with how we look than what we do. I'll bet those African musicians would be a big draw for a mass audience, increasing (and not decreasing) the ticket sales/money contributed.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:46 (twenty years ago)

The tickets are free. Would they increase the DVD sales? No, maybe not (except perhaps in Africa, which isn't ALL poor!). Would they decrease them? Doubtful, the line-up is strong enough anyway and you won't be picking up too many EXTRA fans having Razorlight, Snow Patrol, Keane AND Coldplay on the bill.

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:49 (twenty years ago)

Firstly, they've insisted that this is about raising awareness, not money.

Secondly, do you seriously think that having anybody other than the blandest, biggest sellers on the bill would affect ticket sales?

Thirdly, though I might have worded it crudely, how this event is presented is part of its purpose. To repeat the mistakes of previous Celebrity Hand-outs is precisely what isn't needed right now.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:53 (twenty years ago)

I've already heard unbelievably wrong-headed and patronising comments made about Africa (yes, that big homogeneous lump where all the starving people, erm, starve) on the BBC as a direct result of these events. Not a very good start to a campaign to raise "awareness".

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:55 (twenty years ago)

It might help if Miss Dynamite actually had a new record out!

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:56 (twenty years ago)

Hooray! A clusterfuck of monumental proportions! (I admit I'm a touch sad to be missing out on all this directly but when I get to London a few days later I can hear about the fallout.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:02 (twenty years ago)

I hope Bap does their international smash hit "Chaz Chaz".

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

They might as well get Toto to reunite and do an "Africa"/"Kum Ba Yah" mashup.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:06 (twenty years ago)

They might as well get The Black and White Fucking Minstrels on.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:08 (twenty years ago)

Is there something wrong with me that the Spice Girls snub really angers me? I feel like Ron Traino!

― Leon hearts Crazy Frog (Ex Leon), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:12 (twenty years ago)

In response to stinging criticism Bob Geldof has added the following musicians to the line-up:

Paul Simon
Latin Quarter
Brian Eno and David Byrne
Tight Fit doing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:12 (twenty years ago)

Museum of Art, Philadelphia

Will Smith (host)
Bon Jovi
Maroon 5
P Diddy
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
The Dave Matthews Band
Sarah McLachlan
Rob Thomas
Keith Urban
50 Cent
Kaiser Chiefs

Spot the odd band out in this list of America-wide megastars.

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:13 (twenty years ago)

"awareness"? oh dear. but presumably the point is to increase contributions?

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:14 (twenty years ago)

Why would the darkies need money?

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:16 (twenty years ago)

xpost - Er, you get that they're not actually offering to pay off "Africa"'s debt?

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

Yannick Noah! Awesome! With Jim Courier on drums, I frickin' hope.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

Nicole, I was royally fucked off about the Spice Girls thing too, but I realised this was all signalled in advance by that horrible version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" they recorded last year. Mature Rock Acts Only Need Apply.

Tom, are you being cynical enough to suggest that this highly important charitable event might be used by record companies to raise the profile of their mediocre signings?

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

Would that be the DTKIC with the Sugababes and Ms Dynamite on it?

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:18 (twenty years ago)

And Leconte on ... on ... tennis-racquet guitar-miming, in front of a mirror?

I think 'hideously white' is a hideously racist phrase.

― the bellefox, Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:19 (twenty years ago)

I thought I heard on the radio today that there was a concert planned for Scotland as well, at Murrayfield. Fran Healey was in charge of organising it, and Franz Ferdinand had agreed to play. Or did I just imagine that?

― C J (C J), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:20 (twenty years ago)

Jetlag Willy: absolutely not, well not the black mediocre signings anyway.

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:21 (twenty years ago)

http://flight1721.co.uk/drknowitol/pictures.jpg

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:21 (twenty years ago)

Much as I love Sugababes and Dynamite-Tee-Hee, they're the Acceptable Face Of Pop to R***ist Twunts.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:21 (twenty years ago)

gosh.

― N_RQ, Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:22 (twenty years ago)

This is all just a scam so the foreign office can cancel Placebo's visas, stranding them in Paris.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:22 (twenty years ago)

It's not all bad then.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:23 (twenty years ago)

Andrew it would appear that the organisers of Do They Know Its Christmas have realised their error and corrected it this time out, no?

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:23 (twenty years ago)

Why would racist twunts not like pop, the first authentically white musical genre?

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:24 (twenty years ago)

Again, according to organisers the Spice Girls were not snubbed as they were not approached in the first place nor did they approach.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:25 (twenty years ago)

No Tom, I agree, this is worse than that. And not the same thing again, as Jetlag was saying.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:26 (twenty years ago)

Actually surely Spice Girls fans would be *glad* they weren't at this monstrosity, right? This is clearly something to avoid.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:26 (twenty years ago)

R***ist. Three asterisks.

Get one abacus.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:27 (twenty years ago)

There are definitely news stories saying (yesterday) that the Spice Girls are reforming for this.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:27 (twenty years ago)

Yes planting loads of stories in the papers saying "We'd really love to reform and do Live 8" certainly couldn't be construed as an 'approach'.

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:27 (twenty years ago)

It's just the principle of the thing, Ned. But they are probably better off not involved in this fiasco.

― Leon hearts Crazy Frog (Ex Leon), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:28 (twenty years ago)

I will only accept a Spice Girls reunion if their comeback single is a cover of "What's Up?"

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:30 (twenty years ago)

So who is the unacceptable face of pop? The hardcore, so to speak, not these sell-outs?

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:30 (twenty years ago)

Where did the 'Spice Girls deemed too 'trivial' for Live 8' thing come from in the first place?

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:30 (twenty years ago)

Mr. Farrell, Mr. Frog. Mr. Frog, Mr. Farrell.

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:32 (twenty years ago)

I think we're arguing at cross purposes Andrew. I was only saying that Sugababes and Ms Dynamite had been more or less portrayed in the media as "Pop acts that it's okay for serious music fans to like".

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:33 (twenty years ago)

A Freaky Trigger post to an article that disappeared before I could read it.

http://www.freakytrigger.co.uk/nylpm/2005_05_01_nylpm_archive.html#111755873637108478

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:36 (twenty years ago)

It's the Mirror's word vs Harvey Goldsmith's basically.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:40 (twenty years ago)

Well there's a mixed post.

If discrimination on grounds of ethnicity is banned, why isn't discrimination on the grounds of 'authenticity'?

Uh....

(And of course, ethnicity = authenticity, for much of the left.)

But this is OTM.

― Si.C@rter (SiC@rter), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:41 (twenty years ago)

(xpost to the freakytrigger article)

― Si.C@rter (SiC@rter), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:42 (twenty years ago)

I realised that as soon as I hit Submit, Tom!

Yeah, fair enough, Jetset. Can I switch one of them for Busted? :)

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:45 (twenty years ago)

sorry, which left says 'authenticity = ethnicity'? i mean, left as opposed to right. if this meme is all that prevalent these days, i think attributing it solely to the left is inaccurate.

― N_RQ, Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:46 (twenty years ago)

I think applying it to the left in the context of a left-endorsed event is pretty fair.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

which left says 'authenticity = ethnicity'

George Galloway. Maybe Jesse Jackson.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

hrmmm. i'm just thinking of the left that, you know, advocated indian independence, boycotted south africa... just seems a bit petty to accuse the left, rather than 'the [white] west' at large, of this.

― N_RQ, Thursday, 2 June 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

I'm thinking of the left that bought a shit-ton of world music over the last 20 years.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:05 (twenty years ago)

'World Music', rather.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:05 (twenty years ago)

Jools Holland?

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:08 (twenty years ago)

Twat is not an ethnicity.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:09 (twenty years ago)

"The Ambassador of Twat is here."

"Your Royal Twatness."

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:10 (twenty years ago)

I am still unable to take Moloko seriously after reading a review of an album of theirs where the reviewer said he couldn't hear their name without envisioning Jools saying "and now.. Moloko!"

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:12 (twenty years ago)

I thought someone else said that, or stole it and passed it off as their own quip!

The new Roisin single is lovely, incidentally.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:14 (twenty years ago)

Translation: Roisin is lovely.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:14 (twenty years ago)

Artists including 50 Cent, Stevie Wonder and are Jay-Z are among those taking part in the Philadelphia concert.

Then it is going to be ridiculously crowded. I hope the library decides to close over the weekend.

― RS (Catalino) LaRue (RSLaRue), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:15 (twenty years ago)

Bob Geldof is stuck in the 80s does he even know about Dizzee Rascal and Roots Manuva?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

I really can't see Dizzee and Roots going down too well at an event this size.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:20 (twenty years ago)

The Roots would do fine! They're great live.

― miccio (miccio), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:21 (twenty years ago)

I'd think Jay-Z noting that a bitch is not his problem could well do worse at an even this size.

― miccio (miccio), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:21 (twenty years ago)

event this size, rather.

― miccio (miccio), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:22 (twenty years ago)

This whole thing also kind of highlights the British record industry's total inability to build non-white talent.

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:24 (twenty years ago)

I bet they won't have enough port-o-pots in Philadelphia. How far in advance was this thing planned? It's hard for me to imagine this city successfully planning for such a large scale event so quickly.

― RS (Catalino) LaRue (RSLaRue), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:24 (twenty years ago)

Quite. I wouldn't have been surprised to see Beverley Knight on the bill though.

xpost

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:25 (twenty years ago)

is Craig David hideously white?

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:33 (twenty years ago)

What's he got to do with anything?

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:34 (twenty years ago)

Taking sides, based on global appeal: Nek vs. Bap (and leave Jovanotti out of the argument).

― brianiac (briania), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:36 (twenty years ago)

Johnny Halliday! Yannick Noah! (wait, he isn't white either, is he?)

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:37 (twenty years ago)

What's he got to do with anything?

he's part of the Live 8 line-up. maybe he's racist for performing in Paris rather than London, though.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:38 (twenty years ago)

Wow! So he is! Sorry.

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:40 (twenty years ago)

THE TRAILS
A GOAT DON'T COME FOR FREE

1. It Was Supposed To Be Rhodesia
2. Could Well Be Famine
3. Not Malnourished
4. Blinded By Vitamin A Deficiency
5. I Wouldn't Be Severely Underweight
6. Get Out of My Improvised Dwelling
7. HIV+ But You Don't Know It
8. Such A Doro Wat
9. What Is A Vaccine
10. Flies In Your Eyes
11. Empty Cans

― TOMBOT, Thursday, 2 June 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

Dude.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 2 June 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

omg

― miccio (miccio), Thursday, 2 June 2005 16:13 (twenty years ago)

"Bob Geldof spotted last week in a fancy dress shop
in South London, trying on large afro wigs" - Popbitch, this week.

― Raw Patrick (Raw Patrick), Thursday, 2 June 2005 16:14 (twenty years ago)

OMG

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 2 June 2005 16:17 (twenty years ago)

Fit But Ebola

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 2 June 2005 16:18 (twenty years ago)

I expect there may be more acts to be announced. I would've thought some of those who took part in Band Aid 20 might take part.

― George Watson (Geordie Watson), Thursday, 2 June 2005 17:39 (twenty years ago)

The Mirror is somewhat bafflingly lobbying for Status Quo to be added to the bill.

― M Philip O'Nyman (Ferg), Thursday, 2 June 2005 17:55 (twenty years ago)

Les Battersby works for the Mirror?

― Leon hearts Crazy Frog (Ex Leon), Thursday, 2 June 2005 18:37 (twenty years ago)

It's not entirely baffling given they opened the original event back in 1985 and all.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 June 2005 18:44 (twenty years ago)

Mariah Carey's black?

― The Mad Puffin, Thursday, 2 June 2005 19:11 (twenty years ago)

She is black, latino, Lebanese and... Irish?

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 2 June 2005 19:17 (twenty years ago)

― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 2 June 2005 23:51 (twenty years ago)

She is black, latino, Lebanese and... Irish?

from here

Carey’s re-invention is particularly fascinating because of her whole new ethnicity — she is one-quarter black but has amplified this and declared her True Self to be African-American.

Carey is also one-quarter Venezuelan, and half Irish, so the question is begged: If this is her “true self,” why didn’t she go Gaelic? If Beyoncé had a panpipe, would Carey be picking up the shillelagh and releasing The Emancipation of Muirgheal?

― Pearsall, Friday, 3 June 2005 00:39 (twenty years ago)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tm_objectid=15581556%26method=m2_msg_full%26siteid=94762-name_page.html

― George Watson (Geordie Watson), Friday, 3 June 2005 03:56 (twenty years ago)

"DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Seems like an awfully good argument for the Pink Fairies, actually.

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Friday, 3 June 2005 04:44 (twenty years ago)

Still baffled by the Cure being on that list. Twenty years ago maybe, but now?

Thank the lord that Midge Ure hasn't used this as an excuse to reform Ultravox (actually they probably should play instead of Geldof). Anyone see him being interviewed on Channel 4 News last night? Answering the charge that the line-up was too white with no African acts, his response was along the lines of 'well, there might be - the line-up changes minute-by-minute'. Oh, righty, you're backtracking then. The interviewer presses him on this point - Midge: 'Well, this is all about having the most popular acts and you have to ask who is responsible for that... the BBC, the record companies blah blah blah...'. I could be hopelessly misquoting him here, so please correct me if I'm wrong. But if this is all about raising awareness and changing people's perceptions, surely they could have used just a tincy-wincy little bit of this in their approach to the music? How the hell does something like Dido fit in with making people feel just a little bit uncomfortable and angry about the gross inequalities in the world? Music to give starving people a big hug to, I suppose.

BTW I thought that Craig David had split up ages ago. Oh, and still haven't heard the Dave Matthews Band, I'm a little excited about hearing them for the first time. Well, in a sick sort of way perhaps. And why no Japanese, Russian or Canadian shows if this whole thing is conceptually linked to the G8 summit?

― NickB (NickB), Friday, 3 June 2005 07:52 (twenty years ago)

How the hell does something like Dido fit in with making people feel just a little bit uncomfortable and angry about the gross inequalities in the world?

Someone with a 3 note vocal range becoming a stupid-rich singer thanks to a novelty rapper sampling her is a perfect example of the gross inequalities in the world. Maybe she's just there as a handy reminder.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 3 June 2005 08:08 (twenty years ago)

Kudos to Bob for not getting Phil Collins to play. He's had two turns already. Trying to figure out how far I'll get into the bill before I lapse into a coma (possibly a shotgun-related one).

― NickB (NickB), Friday, 3 June 2005 08:21 (twenty years ago)

Much as I love Sugababes and Dynamite-Tee-Hee, they're the Acceptable Face Of Pop to R***ist Twunts.

Have you ever listened to Ms. Dynamite's lyrics? It's not exaclty like she's singing about lollipops and boy-meets-girl... (Her lyrics are about racism, sexism, and poverty, and I think is a perfect act for this kind of event.)

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Friday, 3 June 2005 08:47 (twenty years ago)

ah, tuomas, think dialectically: rockists like them, therefore liking them is rockist, apparently.

― N_Rq, Friday, 3 June 2005 08:49 (twenty years ago)

From that Mirror quotebox on Status Quo:

My late son Paul was here to see the first Live Aid and he would be devastated if they were not performing this time as he was one of their greatest fans having seeen them and met them several times.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Friday, 3 June 2005 08:53 (twenty years ago)

I feel a bit bad for laughing but HA HA HA HA HA.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 3 June 2005 08:55 (twenty years ago)

"The Live 8 concerts have been cancelled following an outcry by ZOMBIES!"

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Friday, 3 June 2005 08:58 (twenty years ago)

There are enough of the living dead on stage as it is.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 3 June 2005 09:06 (twenty years ago)

we are all ringing for a ticket on monday though aren't we? i intend to wear a "WHERE'S MY SPICE GIRLS?" t-shirt should i be lucky enough to win tickets...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:00 (twenty years ago)

It didn't occur to me for one second to actually go to it.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:01 (twenty years ago)

I'm baffled by that suggestion too. I have, er, stuff. To... Do...

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:18 (twenty years ago)

From The Mirror

Ryan from Glasgow 06:01:03 03 June 2005
The line up is as dull as can be. It badly needs an injection of the Quo!
Theres not enough bands that appeal to the over 25's. We don't need any rap or r n b. Give us the kings of boogie!

― George Watson (Geordie Watson), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:21 (twenty years ago)

Theres not enough bands that appeal to the over 25's.

a-hahahahahahahahahaha!

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:29 (twenty years ago)

Rumour has it that in response to all the criticisms, Geldof has just announced the addition of Roachford and Skunk Anansie to the bill.

― NickB (NickB), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:35 (twenty years ago)

I like Roachford!

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:39 (twenty years ago)

Speculation Jimi Hendrix and Thin Lizzy tribute bands are being approached has so far been denied.

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:41 (twenty years ago)

Poor Skunk Anansie.

(Note to self: Mariah Carey is not Shakira.)

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:42 (twenty years ago)

rockists like them, therefore liking them is rockist, apparently

Perhaps you should try reading the whole fucking thread before being so witty.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:53 (twenty years ago)

Doesn't Joss Stone's urban Brit Award count for anything?

― re (rde), Friday, 3 June 2005 10:54 (twenty years ago)

"It seems like the great white man has come to rescue us while the freedom fighters never get a mention," he wrote on the Black Information Link website.

Bob Geldof can't help being white!

What's he supposed to do, think to himself, "Oh, I'm white but the people in Africa are mostly black so I'd best keep my nose out"?

― mei (mei), Friday, 3 June 2005 11:38 (twenty years ago)

Funny how he was complaining only a few months back about being 'Mr bloody Africa' tho.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 3 June 2005 11:41 (twenty years ago)

read it; still don't see the problem with sugababes.

― N_RQ, Friday, 3 June 2005 11:46 (twenty years ago)

Looks like Bush is going to be the subject of most of the protesting.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4606197.stm

― George Watson (Geordie Watson), Friday, 3 June 2005 12:31 (twenty years ago)

I didn't think they were on the bill.

― NickB (NickB), Friday, 3 June 2005 12:43 (twenty years ago)

"DOWN WITH GAVIN ROSSDALE AND HIS OLIVE OYL WIFE"

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 3 June 2005 13:17 (twenty years ago)

Great. Thanks for ruining my Gwen Stefani fantasies, Ned.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Friday, 3 June 2005 13:21 (twenty years ago)

I'd think Jay-Z noting that a bitch is not his problem could well do worse at an even this size.

i thought that'd be kind of apt... i mean, that's the whole idea right? (third world debt, fair trade etc all being more serious issues than his ex-gf??)

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 3 June 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

Great. Thanks for ruining my Gwen Stefani fantasies, Ned.

You're welcome! Now imagine her screaming "OH POPEYE!" at the climactic moment.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 3 June 2005 13:40 (twenty years ago)

I didn't think [Bush] were on the bill.

ROFFLE!

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Friday, 3 June 2005 13:42 (twenty years ago)

Actually, the "OH POPEYE!" thing is weirdly arousing. Phew.

― Jetlag Willy (noodle vague), Friday, 3 June 2005 13:46 (twenty years ago)

Ned doesn't need viagra when he has spinach.

― George Watson (Geordie Watson), Friday, 3 June 2005 13:48 (twenty years ago)

Actually, the "OH POPEYE!" thing is weirdly arousing. Phew.

Something's deeply wrong with you.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 3 June 2005 13:49 (twenty years ago)

Geldof's call for 'Sail 8' demo

― NickB (NickB), Monday, 6 June 2005 12:05 (twenty years ago)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41223000/jpg/_41223095_sail8_203.jpg

Notice that the boat is white.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 6 June 2005 13:02 (twenty years ago)

I HAVE APPLIED FOR A TICKET!

QUO! QUO! QUO! QUO!

UP YOURS 50 CENTS!

WHY ISN'T THERE ANYONE CALLED TEN BOB?

I WISH I HAD A BOAT TO GO AND KIDNAP FRENCH PEOPLE.

MAYBE I CAN CONVERT MY DAUGHTER'S BABY BATH.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Monday, 6 June 2005 13:06 (twenty years ago)

Yes Dom, the boat is white and the sailor is most definitely hideous.

― NickB (NickB), Monday, 6 June 2005 13:08 (twenty years ago)

Status Quo are playing in Killarney on the day of the concerts, supporting Meatloaf
My flatmate's going to it.

― Joe Kay (feethurt), Monday, 6 June 2005 14:18 (twenty years ago)

lets be real though, more white people will turn up to see more white acts.

― titchyschneider (titchyschneider), Monday, 6 June 2005 17:42 (twenty years ago)

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