live 8

[Ginofan]

Damn what a ing cynic.

Oh....so....ironic.

What the ?

~Manny

[Gerryatrics]

So, while we're all patting ourselves on the back for our "awareness", what exactly was the point of this whole bloated event? What does raising "awareness" do? I think most people realize little kids are starving somewhere in Africa by now. Is World poverty suddenly going to end because Pink Floyd got back together? I mean, they didn't even try to guilt trip people into throwing money at the problem like the bleeding heart celebs who are going to fix all the World's problems usually do. They just want people to be "aware" of the problem, as they walk of the stage at the end of the night with their gift bags and residual checks. All the "awareness" in the World isn't going to fix all of Africa's problems, the only chance of ending the starvation, disease and poverty in Africa is Government reform. I don't think Bono and George Clooney are going to succesfully reform the various governments in Africa with their "awareness" raising. So again, what is the point?

The World is raising "awareness" for the starving children in Africa, so stick that in your pot and cook it... Hooray us.

[Timoha]

I thought that all the profits from the concert went to help out the needy in Africa? So, it did do something.

[Gerryatrics]

What profits? The tickets were free. Unless they're collecting the money raised by insanely over-priced concession stands, in which case they could send billions, Live 8 isn't sending anything to starving African kids but "awareness" and warm, fuzzy thoughts.

[T Park]

rut roh.

[Slomo]

What profits? The tickets were free. Unless they're collecting the money raised by insanely over-priced concession stands, in which case they could send billions, Live 8 isn't sending anything to starving African kids but "awareness" and warm, fuzzy thoughts.

If I remember correctly the concerts will generate 25 millions $ (not 100% sure on the figure) that will be sent to help fight famine in Africa (advertising money probly). And the leader of the world's richest 8 countries will be presented a pe ion (that you can sign on-line - if you're really interested that is) that demands help to the poorest countries in the world in the form of help with their debts and trade agreements that would enable them to start functioning on their own.

I'm not sure how much good it will do. But Trying to help is still way better than sitting on your couch and ridiculing those that are doing something.

[Das Texan]

its the power of the people.

if you have ever belonged to an organization that preaches the power of the people to put pressure on world leaders for global justice then you know it can be very powerful. I'm reminded of the world Amnesty Inernational does.

[Gerryatrics]

From what I've heard the only concert that raised any money was a British one that gave away tickets using a text message based lottery system. They're going to use the money they made from the messaging fees to pay off the charity event that usually takes place at the park the concert was at. They had to cancel the charity so Live 8 is using the money to give the charity about what they usually raise, the rest is going to help offset the price of the concerts.

And $25 million is a pathetic figure if accurate, if you add up all the celebs that were there mugging for the camera, they'll probably make up that money in about twenty seconds once they go back to their paying gigs. If all these celebs really care so much, let's see them put up 25% of their salaries to help end poverty.

And I don't think convincing the G8 to throw more money at the problem is a positive. It just allows them to write a check and wash their hands of the whole matter, instead of pressuring them to try and encourage real reforms in Africa. Nobody wants to deal with the growing pains of trying to pull Africa into the 21st Century. Just write a big check to whatever country gets the most hits on Google News and add "For starving Children" in the notes section. Doesn't matter if it really goes to buy food or medical supplies, as long as you keep sending them money and the celebs get their face time on the news and their humanitarian awards. If dumping money in Africa's general direction is all that's needed to put an end to world poverty and save the starving children, there wouldn't have been a need for Live 8, Live Aid would have done the job.

[whottt]

I thought live aid sucked...but it was for a good cause...but all the acts sounded like crap live...

The "Led Zeppelin" performance at Live Aid was an abomination(due to not having any monitors), that left Page and Plant in a state of shame...

I think that was the first time Page had picked up a guitar in 4 or 5 years, neither Phil Collins nor Tony Thompson were fit to hold Bohnam's drumsticks...and Plant was so overmatched by his old vocalizations that he sounded like he was trying to take a crap and dying.

I actually went into a state of depression for like a year over how badly that Led Zeppelin imposter sucked at that show.

When Led Zep reformed for the Atlantic 40th birthday party it was a much better job.


I didn't realize Floyd was reforming with Waters for this...I am going to have to check this out...I know their set didn't suck because Waters is a freak about that kind of stuff and the Gilmour Floyd was one of the best produced live shows I have ever seen.


My guess is that the Who probably kicked the out of every one else at that show...like they always do at live shows.

Any time you go to a mutiple act concert with Ted Nugent or the Who playing...you might as well leave after they finish their set...because everyone else is going to sound like (and you'll most likely be half deaf after they get done playing).

[Horry For 3!]

I've listened to Live 8 before. It is alright.

[Slomo]

From what I've heard the only concert that raised any money was a British one that gave away tickets using a text message based lottery system. They're going to use the money they made from the messaging fees to pay off the charity event that usually takes place at the park the concert was at. They had to cancel the charity so Live 8 is using the money to give the charity about what they usually raise, the rest is going to help offset the price of the concerts.

And $25 million is a pathetic figure if accurate, if you add up all the celebs that were there mugging for the camera, they'll probably make up that money in about twenty seconds once they go back to their paying gigs. If all these celebs really care so much, let's see them put up 25% of their salaries to help end poverty.

And I don't think convincing the G8 to throw more money at the problem is a positive. It just allows them to write a check and wash their hands of the whole matter, instead of pressuring them to try and encourage real reforms in Africa. Nobody wants to deal with the growing pains of trying to pull Africa into the 21st Century. Just write a big check to whatever country gets the most hits on Google News and add "For starving Children" in the notes section. Doesn't matter if it really goes to buy food or medical supplies, as long as you keep sending them money and the celebs get their face time on the news and their humanitarian awards. If dumping money in Africa's general direction is all that's needed to put an end to world poverty and save the starving children, there wouldn't have been a need for Live 8, Live Aid would have done the job.

If I understand the pe ion correctly that's exactly what they are trying to do.
I thought the concert was not very good, but I'll support the effort and the idea any day.

[alamo50]

While Live8 was going on I saw performances of Steve Lukather, Rodger Hodson, Marillion and Joe er right here in my hometown of Weert, The Netherlands.



Joe er performed U2's "One Love" song in honor of Live8.
It was awesome..............

[Duff McCartney]

"This is not Live Aid 2.

These concerts are the start point for The Long Walk To Justice, the one way we can all make our voices heard in unison.

This is without doubt a moment in history where ordinary people can grasp the chance to achieve something truly monumental and demand from the 8 world leaders at G8 an end to poverty.

The G8 leaders have it within their power to alter history. They will only have the will to do so if tens of thousands of people show them that enough is enough.

By doubling aid, fully cancelling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the future for millions of men, women and children."

http://www.live8live.com/

[smeagol]

Live 8's cause is much better than Live Aid's cause, IMO.

But Live Aid rocked way more than Live 8.

[N.Y. Johnny]

Stevie Wonder singlehandedly ruined Live 8

[Shelly]

MTV & VH1's Redemption Song
by Sarah Hall
Jul 8, 2005, 12:00 PM PT
back to story

After striking a sour note with viewers over their shoddy coverage of the Live 8 concerts last weekend, MTV and VH1 are making an effort to get back on key.

The networks will each rebroadcast five hours of commercial-free Live 8 concerts Saturday, a week after their initial attempts at covering the event were lambasted by viewers and reviewers alike.

The nets were faulted for featuring the exact same feed, rather than focusing on different sets from the 10 concerts à la coverage of the Olympics. Critics and Netizens also lashed out at the MTV and VH1 for cutting away from key performances to go to commercial breaks and overdosing on offstage banter, with little focus on the music.

"If you weren't there, how did you take in Saturday's mega-concert for African relief, Live 8?" Philadelphia Daily News critic Jonathan Takiff asked Thursday in his column.

"If it was on MTV, you were doubtless disappointed, even angry, as the formerly music-centric but now 'lifestyle'-oriented channel repeatedly demeaned the art and the purpose of the day, clogging the presentation with commercials and idle chatter."

Viewers flooded message boards with similar complaints.

"I was pretty appalled at the MTV/VH1 coverage," one frustrated music group user posted. "They cut away from songs before they were finished! Couldn't they at least let the artists complete one song? I tuned in to see the music, not watch commercials and listen to endless blathering by the VJs."

Some memorable moments that were missed by viewers included the final moments of the reunited Pink Floyd's finale number, "Comfortably Numb," as well as the bulk of Coldplay and former Verve singer Richard Ashcroft's acclaimed pairing on "Bittersweet Symphony." The coverage also focused heavily on the concerts in London and Philadelphia, with little attention paid to the performances unfolding in other countries around the world.

The ratings for the Live 8 telecast reflected viewers' lack of enthusiasm for the broadcast. Though 18 million viewers tuned in for some portion of the broadcast, MTV and VH1's combined audience average was a scant 2.2 million viewers from noon to 8 p.m., according to Nielsen Media Research.

Network executives were semi-willing to concede that mistakes had been made with regards to the coverage.

"At MTV and VH1, we're in a constant and candid dialogue with our audience," MTVN Music Group President Van Toffler said in a statement. "In the wake of our coverage last Saturday, our viewers have resoundingly told us online they want to see full performances from their favorite artists. As a result of viewer demand and thanks to the Live 8 organizers and performers, MTV and VH1 will air 10 consecutive hours from one of the most important musical events of our time."

VH1 will kick off Saturday's rebroadcast, airing the concerts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at which point MTV will pick up the coverage, airing the concerts through 8 p.m.

The performances each network airs will vary according to their audience. While both nets will rebroadcast performances by U2, Pink Floyd, Orchestra Baobab, Coldplay and Paul McCartney, VH1 will air Rob Thomas, Sting, Dave Matthews Band and Maroon 5 exclusively, and MTV will air Linkin Park and Jay-Z, the Killers, Kanye West and Green Day exclusively.

Unfortunately for the music nets, viewers may not be willing to give them a second chance, particularly since AOLmusic.com's coverage of the event was praised across the board.

The site set a new Internet record last weekend after it clocked 175,000 simultaneous video streams during its globe-spanning coverage of Live 8. In all, 5 million viewers logged on to check out the performances between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

AOLmusic.com will continue to make the performances available for download for the next five weeks.

[CalsonicKansei]

Live 8 does not raise any money but raises awarness? While children are starving, they are raising awarness, and not money? Dumb.