Criticism on Live 8
 

Albarn criticises Live 8 concerts

I think he's got a point with this comment:
"He said performers should be charged for taking part because they will receive so much free publicity."
That has bothered me too in these kind of concerts or projects.

some other good points too..

It's a different thing with Bono, who really doesn't have to do this to get publicity, I agree on that. And I'm sure Geldof has none but good intentions.
But some of the artists who show up on these kind of events, you have to admit, they're just there to plug their new single etc.

Sure, it is a double sided thing (crap english, excuse me).
On the one hand, having artists show up at such events does help the cause, on the other hand, I do think part of their reasons to show up is their own gain. You can't deny that.

And just because you maybe don't like Damon Albarn doesn't mean he has some good points;).

What about putting Africa in the spotlight again as -just- a poor and needy continent, instead of giving some attention to good things there? Not that they don't need help there, must stress that.

Who's to say whether the artists who perform don't have to make some sort of hefty monitary contribution to the "cause" just to be on the bill? :shrug:

Just because the artists get free publicity and don't get monitary compensation for their performance doesn't mean that they don't have SOME sort of outgoing monitary obligation in order TO perform.

While I agree with Albarn on a lot of points he makes I do think the good outweights the bad. I've often thought it strange that rich stars and musicians give up half a day and are considered heroes and yet the benefits from performing at something like Live Aid are huge to them. Look at Queen, that one performance turned them into legends.

A positive outcome of all of this in the UK is that people are actually talking and debating about world poverty, whereas a week before no one was giving it a second thought.

It's odd though, for a board that's often so political, that this thread has barely any responses. Discussing the line-up for Live 8 was a big issue, but the reasons behind it don't seem to be.

I don't know why that is... :confused:

Sorry, but am I the only one around here who's noticed that the only time Bono talks about Africa and presses the flesh with important people is whenever a U2 album is within six months of being released?

Sorry but your tv must have the ignore function on about Bono, his struggle for Africa and to cancel the debt is almost daily.

Romy

I think a lot of the acts on the bill see it as an opportunity to get some extra publicity, personally. Just look at the Spice Girls. I know Greg is on Cloud Nine over it, but from where I sit, it looks to me like they're simply trying to promote their greatest hits package.

Miss Victoria should concentrate on actually growing some fat cells and keeping her husband's meat in his pants instead of trying to continue her music career. :laugh:

I say who cares what the artists involved motives are..as long as it's raising money for the cause...It's the same as those livestrong bracelets--sure everyone wears them because they are a fad..but they have raised millions of dollars for cancer research..

It doesn't matter if say the Spice Girls are there just to plug their new single--they are there, not making any money. If they just wanted to plug their new single, surely they would want to make some money doing it also. The fact that they are giving up thousands upon thousands of dollars in salary, and their time--is enough to me

Chris

Exactly, while it would be nice to know whether or not these people are being genuine, in the end it is about the cause and the money that is being brought in. I would rather have a phony celebrity raise a million dollars and gain publicity than do nothing.

Erm, I'm not sure if this is apropos, but I just read an article about this sort of thing, which was complaining for another reason. Basically it came down to that while people raise lots of money for Africa, they ignore the actual problems that Africa has, and tons of that money goes to support a corrupt gov't, which really doesn't help Africa at all. And that Bono and others don't really listen to that when they meet with the gov'ts, or activists in the country. :shrug: I read it in the SF chronicle a few days ago. I'll try to find it.

LOL. I wish. No, actually I watched a special a friend in Canada sent to me from a character called Ed the Sock. He has a special called the "Smartass Report" where he basically deconstructs EVERYTHING Bono has done with regards to Africa and other so-called charities. In fact, this show demonstrated with actual numbers how Bono may have actually HURT Africa. For example, when he met with Jessie Helms, Bono encouraged Helms to support Africa. So Helms drafted a bill that indeed gave aid to Africa. And, Africa got help. That's the story you see everyday. What you NEVER see is that there was already a bill in the Senate, and the bill Helms introduced was SIGNIFICANTLY lower than what would have gone through had Bono not gotten in the way. I leant the DVD to another friend, but if and when I get it back, I'll post more examples. It's amost frightening.