Live 8

[SnoopDog]

Like every remake it just doesn't live up to the original I guess (though of course due to my age I have only heard about it).

But some great artists and good songs. And of course it's a good idea and important topic.

Opinions?


Snoopy

 

[CharleyH]

Like every remake it just doesn't live up to the original I guess (though of course due to my age I have only heard about it).

But some great artists and good songs. And of course it's a good idea and important topic.

Opinions?


Snoopy

I was in my teens then. Of course it was awesome - live and televised, some of my fave artists at the time. There are 9 countries involved this time, some excellent bands, some new ones I like and have never heard of. I think most countries are playing a lot of 'more local' voices than in ... was it 85? They only had large names back then. What is different this time around, something I have noted, is that there are many more African-Canadian, French and Native bands playing on the Canadian stage than other countires - which is cool considering the mosaic of causes - and with a mix of coverage from each country.

At 18, I could have cared less on that aspect of Live Aid.

Edited to add: I have also noted ROFL - that no matter what country, there is always a sea of bobbing heads. That has not changed. lol

 

[CharleyH]

And holy shit! I thought Gordon Lighfoot was dead. Not that I enjoyed his music, but he has some sad classics that just work on getting me going on my period Let alone just memories - Ko-AL. Madonna now

 

[English Lady]

I watched some of the Hyde Park one this afternoon and itwas pretty cool, planning to watch some of the American one too...though not likely to stay up till 3.30 to watch it all *L*

I really wasn't aware of live aid, I was too young to recognise it really. This one i am well behind it and it's aims. I think it's an amazing thing to be done,and i'm glad so many big names have joined in with it.

 

[CharleyH]

I watched some of the Hyde Park one this afternoon and itwas pretty cool, planning to watch some of the American one too...though not likely to stay up till 3.30 to watch it all *L*

I really wasn't aware of live aid, I was too young to recognise it really. This one i am well behind it and it's aims. I think it's an amazing thing to be done,and i'm glad so many big names have joined in with it.

Will you see a repeat? DAMN, London is dark. And the amazing - Robbie Williams plays ... OH SAD PEOPLE are you not in tune to music? If I'd have had a ride I'd have been there this year! Young EL, EVERYONE HAS HEARD OF IT.

 

[CharleyH]

Pink Flloyd - nice and inteligently mellow

EDIT: MONEY!!!

we need it?

 

[davidwatts]

Lucky you

Pink Flloyd - nice and inteligently mellow

I'm stuck watching MTV, and right in the middle of Comfortably Numb these two nitwits start babbling about how great it is to see Pink Floyd together again. Duh! Shut the f@#% up and let me hear it.

But no, they babble on and on. Why they didn't do that during Snoop Dogshit's myscognist crotch grabbing dribble?

 

[CharleyH]

I'm stuck watching MTV, and right in the middle of Comfortably Numb these two nitwits start babbling about how great it is to see Pink Floyd together again. Duh! Shut the f@#% up and let me hear it.

But no, they babble on and on. Why they didn't do that during Snoop Dogshit's myscognist crotch grabbing dribble?

Sad, that no one talks and gives . However, I would not too, god damn Bare FUCKING SUCK! Naked ladies

As they sing, BARF - let me?!!!

 

[hotchkiss]

Thats the trouble with TV presenters, they love the sound of their own voices and dont know when to shut the f@ck up.

Personally I didn't think it was as good as the first mainly because the first was just that, The first, raw, basic and untried but full of passion, it shocked and brought a great awareness to the general public.
Since then people have become desensitised to the images on the TV that one time had them in tears.

This was more polished, professional (most of the time) and really aimed at a different audience, lets just hope they were listening. Not that I want to appear to be knocking it its just the world has changed, hardened and not so easily shocked and I believe Bob G was right to target the politicians hard this time.

As I said lets hope the overpaid pampered softbellied, hardheaded leaders are listening

 

[BeWeBoy]

It was all amazing and very intresting event.

Stand up and be counted, even via Web.

Amazing to see how many people have been moved to be counted.

 

[davidwatts]

Thats the trouble with TV presenters, they love the sound of their own voices and dont know when to shut the f@ck up.

Personally I didn't think it was as good as the first mainly because the first was just that, The first, raw, basic and untried but full of passion, it shocked and brought a great awareness to the general public.
Since then people have become desensitised to the images on the TV that one time had them in tears.

This was more polished, professional (most of the time) and really aimed at a different audience, lets just hope they were listening. Not that I want to appear to be knocking it its just the world has changed, hardened and not so easily shocked and I believe Bob G was right to target the politicians hard this time.

As I said lets hope the overpaid pampered softbellied, hardheaded leaders are listening

Agreed. I had made a tape of the first Live Aid but they came out with a DVD a little while ago of the entire show that is well worth getting. Queen is so good it's scary and U2 was excellent as well.

Everytime I look at the screen today George Michael is in the background singing behind somebody. Good to see him out of the mens room (sorry couldn't help myself) and making an effort.

In the end, it doesn't much matter what people do elsewhere if the African governments don't straighten themselves out. Last time most of the goods sent to Ethopia rotted on the docks because of mismanagement and local corruption. You can forgive all the debt you want but it won't help the people at the end of the chain the way things seem to be now.

 

[CharleyH]

ok it sucks now

 

[fifty5]

Didn't actually watch, but the down side is the attitude that: "We're OK. They're not. Let's give them something..." which can be so patronising and dismissive ("I've done my bit!")

The hard one is to sacrifice individuals in our own country (e.g. farmers) and vote for higher prices in the supermarkets - and longer dole queues "over here" - so that the third world can compete on equal terms.

I support their aims, but Live 8 is easy emotion. The hard one is to support one's own neighbour (even oneself) being made redundant so that real jobs - and thus incomes - move to Africa, India and so on.

An old story my dad used to tell was about the "socialist" preaching about equality who was being questioned:
"So if I have two motor cars, you ought to have one of them?"
"Yes"
"And if I have two houses, you should be able to have one?"
"Yes"
"Or two pigs?"
"Hang on there, I've got two pigs..."

What would you say if your job could be done more cheaply in Africa?

....

Mine is safe - I drive wagons that move physical things around the UK, which can't be done in Africa or India. My previous job was taken away by my own government (teaching about computers (long story)).

This is NOT about wearing an arm band, making a one-off donation, watching (or taking part in) a concert, but about making our own lives less comfortable, so that others can have some of our opportunities.

I don't think I'm up to the challenge, but I know I should be.

What about you?

 

[CharleyH]

WILL SMITH? LO fucking OL!!!

 

[bloodsimple]

I managed to avoid the whole thing, thank God. Which was tricky, given the 14 hours of live television and the 13 pages of coverage in today's newspaper.

What exactly is this collection of "stars" supposed to have accomplished? People have coughed up £20m to "raise awareness". They've sought to influence a social gathering that makes no decisions, carries no political weight and controls no resources. G8 will produce some pompous bullshit communique that implies that it has "listened" and addressed the views of people at Live8. And most things will go on much as before.

Where were these people when one million people were butchered in Rwanda? Why wasn't this sort of thing done when hundreds of thousands have been killed in Sudan? Not quite enough for a pop concert, then? Coldplay not available at that time?

I would love to think that this Live8 shite has made any difference, but it hasn't. Ask the millions in Africa who desperately need anti-retrovirals that the West could pay for, if they enjoyed Pink Floyd getting back together. This was a pop concert, that's all. It has achieved nothing, except to imply that we can solve other nations' problems by watching Chris Martin try to swallow a microphone.

If G8 announce they'll pay for all the anti-HIV and anti-malaria treatment in the whole of Africa for the next 30 years, I'll gladly admit I'm wrong. If the EU and USA announce that they'll stop subsidising all their agriculture overnight, I'll admit I'm wrong (it can be done - ask New Zealand). Until then, I'll regard it as a cynical marketing exercise by a bunch of entertainers, who get to sing their latest single to a billion people. Think they'll donate all their future royalties to charity? I don't think so.....

 

[LeahLo519]

Much love for Pink Floyd...they still sound great.

 

[SnoopDog]

I managed to avoid the whole thing, thank God. Which was tricky, given the 14 hours of live television and the 13 pages of coverage in today's newspaper.

What exactly is this collection of "stars" supposed to have accomplished? People have coughed up £20m to "raise awareness". They've sought to influence a social gathering that makes no decisions, carries no political weight and controls no resources. G8 will produce some pompous bullshit communique that implies that it has "listened" and addressed the views of people at Live8. And most things will go on much as before.

Where were these people when one million people were butchered in Rwanda? Why wasn't this sort of thing done when hundreds of thousands have been killed in Sudan? Not quite enough for a pop concert, then? Coldplay not available at that time?

I would love to think that this Live8 shite has made any difference, but it hasn't. Ask the millions in Africa who desperately need anti-retrovirals that the West could pay for, if they enjoyed Pink Floyd getting back together. This was a pop concert, that's all. It has achieved nothing, except to imply that we can solve other nations' problems by watching Chris Martin try to swallow a microphone.

If G8 announce they'll pay for all the anti-HIV and anti-malaria treatment in the whole of Africa for the next 30 years, I'll gladly admit I'm wrong. If the EU and USA announce that they'll stop subsidising all their agriculture overnight, I'll admit I'm wrong (it can be done - ask New Zealand). Until then, I'll regard it as a cynical marketing exercise by a bunch of entertainers, who get to sing their latest single to a billion people. Think they'll donate all their future royalties to charity? I don't think so.....

But what damage did it cause? And do you really believe that such an event (you admitted you had a difficult time avoiding it) doesn't reach any people ???

And linking this to the events in Rwanda and the shameful behaviour of the western world during that time is quite ridicolous. (And I know what I'm talking about, I had to hold a report about the Genocide/Civil War in Rwanda)

Snoopy

 

[Kate.E]

I was at Live 8 and was pretty disgusted by it all.

Firstly, there was an alcohol ban - and secondly I think there are much better bands that Bob Gandalf could have got. I don't rate Coldplay at all (Chris calling his daughter 'Apple' was just rubbing their faces in it), nor did I care that Dido could warble in three different places in one day. I was only there to watch The Who and thought him out of Wings was good too.
I could empathise with all the starving third-worldy people cuz the queues for food were an absolute nightmare. I wasn't the only one who felt this way - and it was over-priced and quite terrible. I agree that it would be good for them to do this kind of thing more often, like for people who get killed n stuff cuz it gives the bands a chance to have reunions. I just hope for the next one, they ask someone better than Pink Floyd. Maybe the Spice Girls.

 

[Liar]

Callme a cynic but I honestly wonder if this in general is an event where artists have pathos and gives a shit or if it is an event where they can show the world "look at me, I have pathos and gives a shit".

IMO, the concerts and exposure of the stars took way too much attention in comparison to the issues. Almost all I've heard in the aftermath of this is some debacle in which MTV decided to cut to a break/have voice-over commentary/whatever during a popular Pink Floyd song. If this was about AIDS, poverty and so on, why the hell does anyone care the first flying fart about Pink fucking Floyd?

Still even if it's just a vanity fair, it's better than nothing. So yay.

 

[BeWeBoy]

I managed to avoid the whole thing, thank God. Which was tricky, given the 14 hours of live television and the 13 pages of coverage in today's newspaper.

What exactly is this collection of "stars" supposed to have accomplished? People have coughed up £20m to "raise awareness". They've sought to influence a social gathering that makes no decisions, carries no political weight and controls no resources. G8 will produce some pompous bullshit communique that implies that it has "listened" and addressed the views of people at Live8. And most things will go on much as before.

Where were these people when one million people were butchered in Rwanda? Why wasn't this sort of thing done when hundreds of thousands have been killed in Sudan? Not quite enough for a pop concert, then? Coldplay not available at that time?

I would love to think that this Live8 shite has made any difference, but it hasn't. Ask the millions in Africa who desperately need anti-retrovirals that the West could pay for, if they enjoyed Pink Floyd getting back together. This was a pop concert, that's all. It has achieved nothing, except to imply that we can solve other nations' problems by watching Chris Martin try to swallow a microphone.

If G8 announce they'll pay for all the anti-HIV and anti-malaria treatment in the whole of Africa for the next 30 years, I'll gladly admit I'm wrong. If the EU and USA announce that they'll stop subsidising all their agriculture overnight, I'll admit I'm wrong (it can be done - ask New Zealand). Until then, I'll regard it as a cynical marketing exercise by a bunch of entertainers, who get to sing their latest single to a billion people. Think they'll donate all their future royalties to charity? I don't think so.....

You got some points, though perhaps judgement might be a touch premature!

The event was huge, the issues and problem enormous and the dust has not even settled and you have condemed it.

Let us see what comes out of the G8 summit, which is the target in terms of the timing, might be a touch more fair and objective.

Sadly those subsidiese (sp) are caught up in vested intrests of agro-chemical industries, seen their profits lately?

 

[davidwatts]

Callme a cynic but I honestly wonder if this in general is an event where artists have pathos and gives a shit or if it is an event where they can show the world "look at me, I have pathos and gives a shit".

IMO, the concerts and exposure of the stars took way too much attention in comparison to the issues. Almost all I've heard in the aftermath of this is some debacle in which MTV decided to cut to a break/have voice-over commentary/whatever during a popular Pink Floyd song. If this was about AIDS, poverty and so on, why the hell does anyone care the first flying fart about Pink fucking Floyd?

Still even if it's just a vanity fair, it's better than nothing. So yay.

Ummm... I guess that was me complaining about Pink Floyd getting babbled over, and I'll be happy to be honest enough to say that the only reason I paid any attention to any of it at all was for the music. What leverage to I have to bring to the G-8 that I'm unaware of? If they wanted me to go read "Emily Goes Door to Door" for the throng I would have been most happy to do so. Does anybody think that many people would gather in sweltering Philadelphia if there wasn't a musical payoff in it for themselves?

I would further be happy to say that I don't think it's any big f-ing sacrifice for any of these musicians to donate their time to play their music for an audience of millions and up the sales of their catalog in the process, or for most people to wave a sign and pretend that they give a damn about Africa or anybody besides themselves. INXS wasn't there which meant that Geldof missed a golden opportunity to sit in on a more musical scale than previously.

It was only a massive photo-op and merely a series of concerts that may have a very marginalk effect on the events of the coming week, and the world would be no different next week if McCartney sang Rocky Raccoon instead of Hey Jude at the end.

 

[bloodsimple]

Just to reiterate a couple of points -

I'm not "condemning it already" as I said it was a total crock as soon as it was announced, just as I wasn't a fan of the original Live Aid.

I don't see why the connection between this event and Rwanda is ridiculous. To explain -

One and a half million people turn out on the pretext of being fascinated and appalled by the poverty in Africa, and demanding that governments do something about it. Oh, and there's a chance to see Pink Floyd, or whoever. But when one million people were being sliced apart, we didn't see any mass protests and popular demands for action at all, did we? It's symptomatic of an apathetic and insular world, when the prospect of Paul McCartney shuffling onto a stage produces more action and campaigning than a million people dying.

I repeat. G8 is a talking shop between leaders, not an institution with control of resources or any degree of accountability. If they want to spend the whole meeting discussing where they went on holiday, it's no-one's business but their own. Just wait for the anodyne, weasel-worded nonsense they put out at the end, inviting us to infer that they've made some great strides, which later emerges is a re-hash of existing deals. My government (Mr Blair) is a world-class expert on this kind of lie.

But I'm sure U2 will be top of the album charts....

 

[SnoopDog]

Anyways, 'Bob Gandalf' must have been one of the funniest things I've read in a while.



Snoopy,

 

[amicus]

Wow...reading this thread has really offered a new perspective on just who those of you are that participate on this forum....

amicus...

 

[thebullet]

I turned it on and it turned me off.

I watched for about 1/2 hour starting at noon, and in that time there was one song (a tape of "Sergeant Pepper" done by McCartney and U2) and a whole lot of talk and commercials. Will Smith's pontificating was on longer than any of the music while I watched.

I have an ace in the hole. My son recorded the whole thing on TIVO and is going to edit it down to a music only DVD. Then I'll watch the damn thing.

Pink Floyd, baby. Yeah!