Live 8 Concert

They rocked the world in the largest live concert ever held. Now the stars of the Live 8 extravaganza are looking to leaders to respond by doing more to help the poor when they meet later in the week.

The ability of people power to make a difference will become clearer on July 8 when leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) wealthy industrialized nations end a summit in Scotland where Africa will be high on the agenda.

"Mahatma Gandhi freed a continent, Martin Luther King freed a people, Nelson Mandela freed a country. It does work. They will listen," Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof said.

But initial reaction to the star-studded poverty awareness gigs was mixed.

While in Britain Sunday newspapers plastered Live 8 images and stories across front pages, editions in Africa, the continent Live 8 wants to benefit most, paid little heed.

In the United States, with the world's largest economy, performers acknowledged the difficulty Live 8 had in getting through to the American public.

The New York Times had a front page photograph of the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia, where hundreds of thousands crammed the streets, although its first story appeared on page 6. There was barely a mention of Live 8 on early Sunday talk shows.

British finance minister Gordon Brown, an advocate of debt relief, said public opinion had already helped to shape recent agreements on debt relief and aid. But adding a note of caution, he said empowering African people was a "lifetime's work."

"I think you've seen that ministers around the world have been affected by the strength of public opinion, churches, faith groups, and it does have an impact," Brown told BBC Television.

Pope Benedict, addressing crowds in St Peter's Square a day after Rome staged one of the Live 8 concerts, said he hoped the G8 summit would bring genuine and lasting relief to Africa.

Some commentators were unsure, however.

"Rock has carried Africa on to the world's front pages and television screens. Long live rock!" Italy's Corriere della Sera wrote. "But to imagine that rock and aid ... are enough to make Africa progress by as much as one step forward is a dream."

Over a million people listened to rock and pop musicians at venues across four continents on Saturday. More than 26 million people worldwide sent text messages on Saturday to support Live 8, setting a world record for a single event, organizers said.

They also expected 2 billion people to tune in worldwide, using the Internet, television and radio, although no estimate has been provided.

In Edinburgh, near where the G8 meets, 200,000 people marched peacefully to back the Make Poverty History campaign.

"For God's sake, take this seriously. Don't behave normally. Don't look for compromises. Be great," a Live 8 statement said, addressing leaders.

In Britain, newspapers were unanimous in their praise for Live 8 and Geldof, who also pulled off the Live Aid sensation 20 years ago that raised more than $100 million for famine relief.

"A beautiful day," said the Independent on Sunday. "Is that loud enough for you?" asked the Sunday Times.

German publications also dedicated considerable space to the gig in Berlin that attracted 200,000 fans, and Italy's four main dailies highlighted the event on their front pages.

But in Johannesburg, only one newspaper carried Live 8 on its front page.

The concerts brought an unprecedented lineup of talent to 10 stages from Tokyo in the east to near Toronto in the west.

London's Hyde Park had the strongest cast, with Paul McCartney, Bono, Madonna, Elton John, Pink Floyd, The Who and George Michael entertaining 200,000 people.

The raucous crowd fell silent when Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof replayed Live Aid footage of dying Ethiopians. After freezing on the image of a girl on the verge of death, the same person, a now healthy Birhan Woldu, was introduced on stage. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux)

If you want to end wars and stuff, Arlo Guthrie always said, you've gotta sing loud; and several of the finest and best-loved performers around sang loud, and well, at London's Live 8 concert Saturday trying to bring an end to poverty.

The free 10-hour show before 200,000 fans in Hyde Park may not succeed in putting a stop to early death in Africa, but at least the world leaders meeting at the G8 conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, this week, who could do something about it, cannot say they weren't told.

The marathon concert was billed as the greatest rock show ever, and it came close, with an emotional richness infused with the incomprehensible but correctable tragedy that is today's Africa. Politicians and economists would have to be completely tone-deaf to miss the point.

The event was a masterful display of technical organization as 26 acts performed mostly 15-minute sets, and it appeared to be largely the demands of international television feeds that caused the show to run over by more than two hours.

Memorable moments came thick and fast, featuring a splendidly reunited Pink Floyd, the fighting-fit remains of the Who, a top-notch R.E.M., a surprisingly moving Dido with Youssou N'Dour, a knock-'em-dead number by the Killers and Paul McCartney in world class form.

Playing together for the first time since 1981, Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters, lead David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason and keyboardist Rick Wright looked right at home. They made shimmering deliveries of "Breathe," "Money," "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb," even if Gilmour had said earlier that performing with Waters after their long falling out was "like sleeping with the ex-wife."

Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry powered out "Who Are You?" -- now more famous as the theme from TV's "CSI" -- and an extended and quite glorious "Won't Get Fooled Again." Young American band the Killers, dressed in white suits, did just one number, "All These Things That I've Done," but it was a dazzling success, and they may be the breakout stars of the show.

McCartney began and ended the day, closing with smashing versions of "Get Back," "Drive My Car" (with surprise guest George Michael) and "Helter Skelter." Then at the piano he sang "The Long and Winding Road," leading into the chant from "Hey Jude," joined by most of the day's performers and the vast crowd.

McCartney and U2 had started things off with a rousing version of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" largely because the opening line "It was 20 years ago today . . ." evoked memories of the 1985 Live Aid charity show.

Ex-Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof, who was the key organizer of that fundraiser and of Live 8, presided over the Hyde Park concert and even sneaked in a crisp rendition of his hit "I Don't Like Mondays."

U2 and Elton John, each in good form, played early sets so they could rush off to concerts elsewhere. In the first of several examples of amending lyrics to fit the occasion, Bono featured in the song "Beautiful Day" all the cities where concerts were being held, and the crowd immediately joined in.

Coldplay came on with their slow dirges, and Richard Ashcroft joined them for more self-pity in his song "Bittersweet Symphony." Current English pop bad-boy Pete Doherty joined Elton John for a middling treatment of Marc Bolan's "Children of the Revolution."

Somewhat surprisingly, it took the mellow-voiced Dido to fully engage the crowd as her "White Flag" revealed some steely strength in the lyric -- "I will go down with this ship" -- that the vast numbers in the park took up in great volume. They got louder still as Senegalese artist N'Dour joined Dido on her "Thank You" and his "Seven Seconds."

Welsh band the Stereophonics cranked up the volume with some impressively raucous rock, and R.E.M. took the proceedings to another level with their expert mix of precision and showmanship. Michael Stipe, wearing blue makeup around his eyes that resembled a mask, bathed in the audience's rapturous and noisy response to "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon."

Later, Annie Lennox included a vivid "Sweet Dreams" in her set, and Snoop Dog increased the profanity quotient with his rap performance. Joss Stone and the Scissor Sisters made crowd-pleasing appearances, as did Sting and Velvet Revolver.

Keane, Ms. Dynamite, Travis, UB40, Razorlight and Snow Patrol waved the British flag along with Robbie Williams, who once again demonstrated his mysterious grip on British fans with a self-indulgent set of monotonous songs that had the crowd howling for more.

Madonna and Mariah Carey were each over the top, as you might expect, with mechanical movements and syrupy gushing over the Africans who joined them onstage.

It's churlish to complain, however, on a day that may not have changed the world but certainly will be remembered by all who were there. Clouds had threatened rain all afternoon, but they cleared to allow a beautiful sunset over the mass of humanity in Hyde Park, and it remained dry until after midnight as, with public transport closed, the 200,000 made their way home along the surprisingly harmonious streets of London.

Robbie Williams proved the biggest draw for television viewers during the Live 8 extravaganza on Saturday, his audience peaking at 9.6 million.

Eight hours of coverage on BBC1, hosted by Jonathan Ross from a glass pod beside the stage, recorded an average of 7.8 million viewers from 6.10pm until the grand finale at midnight, according to unofficial audience figures released yesterday.

Twenty-nine million people tuned in at some point during the day, and ITV's share of viewing slumped to 12.2%, its lowest ever.

While impressive for a typical Saturday night, the average audience was less than the number who normally watch popular soaps and a long way short of the 20 million-plus watching England's defeat by Portugal in the Euro 2004 football championships.
Ratings peaked at 9.6 million at 10.15pm, when almost half of all of those watching television at the time were watching BBC1 as Williams delivered his performance.

For more than an hour-and-a-half during the afternoon, more people watched the women's final at Wimbedon.

The corporation received about 350 complaints from viewers after artists including Madonna, Razorlight's Johnny Borrell and rap star Snoop Dogg peppered their sets with four-letter words.

The number who attended all 10 concerts around the world was put at over 1 million.

Internet auction site eBay (Nasdaq:EBAY - news) said on Tuesday it had begun removing illegal DVD copies of the Live 8 poverty awareness pop concerts from its Web site, after the record industry complained.

Some of the pirate recordings on the site early on Tuesday were on sale within 24 hours of Saturday's concerts ending, and have been attracting bids of up to 16.99 pounds ($31) each.

One of them boasts footage from huge concerts in London's Hyde Park and Philadelphia.

Ten concerts took place in all, from Tokyo in the east to near Toronto in the west, and more than a million people turned up to see the greatest line-up of rock stars ever assembled.

While the concerts were free, British media said record company EMI (EMI.L) paid millions of pounds for the rights to release the official DVD of the event, which Bob Geldof organized to put pressure on world leaders to do more to beat poverty.

"There are too many people out there who believe music is for stealing, regardless of the wishes of artists and the people who invest in them," said David Martin, director of anti-piracy at the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

"Sadly we are not at all surprised by this incident."

EBay said it had begun removing the listings.

"The unauthorized copies of Live 8 DVDs we have been told about have been taken down, because the sale of fake items is not permitted on eBay.co.uk," the site said in a statement.

EBay has already been labeled an "electronic pimp" by Geldof after free Live 8 tickets appeared on the site ahead of Saturday's concerts.

It suspended some of the accounts of users who placed hoax bids for the tickets of up to 10 million pounds in order to sabotage the sales.

Geldof also organized the Live Aid charity gigs 20 years ago to raise money for Ethiopian famine victims, and brought out a re-recording of the 1984 "Do They Know It's Christmas?" track to try to prevent bootleggers profiting from the original.

The BPI urged eBay to toughen its safeguards against piracy, noting a dramatic rise in illegal sales.

In 2001, the BPI arranged for the removal of 2,315 illegal online auctions, but in the first six months of this year that number had risen to 13,280.

Live 8, by the numbers:

1: Mile that the Live 8 crowd stretched along Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

5: Minutes the Johannesburg crowd stood and applauded Nelson Mandela.

50: Percent of the 20,000-person capacity filled by fans at the Japanese venue.

60th: Birthday celebrated onstage Saturday by Zimbabwe singer Thomas Mapfumo at the all-African show in Cornwall, England.

1981: The last year Pink Floyd — guitarist David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason, keyboard player Richard Wright and bassist Roger Waters — had appeared onstage together before Saturday.

160,000: People simultaneously viewing America Online's live video feeds of the shows — an Internet record, according to AOL.

200,000: Spectators crammed into Hyde Park for the London concert.

1 million: Spectators that Philly organizers claimed were at their show. It was probably closer to a few hundred thousand.

26.4 million: Number of text messages sent to "UNITE" in support of the Live 8 cause.

$25 billion: The amount of aid Live 8 impresario Bob Geldof is demanding from the nations participating in next week's Group of Eight summit meeting.

Saturday's Live 8 extravaganza was billed as the biggest rock event ever. USA TODAY was there in five locations, sizing up the mood and music.

Survivor's moment: Birhan Woldu, a young African who was helped by the original Live Aid concert, joins Madonna.
By Jo Hale, Getty Images

London
Venue: Hyde Park
Attendance: About 200,000

The setup: On the day of Live 8, London also played host to the Wimbledon women's finals and an exuberant gay-pride parade. The city was orderly, even around Hyde Park, where fans without tickets were politely kept at bay by event managers and bobbies.

The crowd: Various ages and ethnic backgrounds, with a fair share of fans too young to remember the first Live Aid alongside baby boomers.

Hottest act: In a set that moved from aching poignance to irresistible joy, Annie Lennox captured the urgency, frustration and hope underlying the concert more effectively than anyone.

Out of place: Pink Floyd's much-heralded "reunion" was lackluster. Classic-rock tunes that sound dreamy on record seemed downright sleepy in performance.

Memorable moment: Madonna delivered a poignant non-verbal message during Like a Prayer when she held the hand of a young survivor of the African famine that Live Aid focused on two decades ago.

Artist on the issues: Bob Geldof, Bono and Lennox were eloquent and passionate. Senegalese singer Youssou N' Dour, who performed both in London and Paris, advised world leaders, "(Debt) cancellation is OK, but open your markets to new Africa."

Audience on the issues: Many fans spoke more pointedly about the artists they had come to see rather than the G8 summit the concert was addressing. Londoner Cynthia Lawrence said: "I'm a bit jaded. But I wanted to come to this particular event, because I think it's brilliant to get people motivated for this cause."

— Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY

Philadelphia
Venue: Philadelphia Museum of Art
Attendance: 600,000-800,000

The setup: Concertgoers stretched for nearly a mile beyond the main stage, watching the festivities on nine jumbo screens. One hundred fifty vendors sold bottled water and Philly cheese steaks.

The crowd: Teens may have come to see Kanye West and the Black Eyed Peas, but Stevie Wonder, Sarah McLachlan and Bon Jovi attracted their parents.

Hottest act: A high-energy set by Philly native Will Smith got the crowd on its feet, but Jay-Z and Linkin Park stole the show with several "mash-ups" from Collision Course.

Out of place: Contemporary Christian rockers Jars of Clay's late-afternoon set failed to get a strong crowd reaction.

Memorable moment: By the time Wonder took the stage, many revelers were heading home. But his spirited Signed, Sealed, Delivered, aided by Maroon 5's Adam Levine, stopped many in their tracks and had them singing and dancing in the streets.

Artist on the issues: West criticized "politicians who drive home in their Bentleys every night and watch thousands of Africans die." Backstage, Dave Matthews said he thought world leaders were paying attention to the cause even if they weren't "rocking out" to the music. "(Though) I think Tony Blair is," he said. "And Putin might have some moves; I'm not sure."

Audience on the issues: Said Brandon Burk, 23, of Wilmington, Del.: "I don't think ending world poverty is an attainable goal, but I think it's great to strive for."

— Whitney Matheson, USA TODAY

Berlin
Venue: In front of Berlin's Victory Column
Attendance: About 200,000

The setup: In the heart of Germany's capital in the Tiergarten park. The packed crowd stretched for nearly a mile from the stage in front of Berlin's Victory Column to the famous Brandenburg Gate. The concert ran four hours over schedule until well past midnight.

The crowd: An eclectic mix of punk teenagers and middle-aged rockers.

Hottest act: Green Day pleased music fans with its version of Queen's We Are the Champions.

Out of place: Peruvian opera singer Juan Diego Florez didn't fit with the lineup of rock bands. But the crowd was polite.

Memorable moment: Audioslave put in a blistering set.

Artist on the issues: "The reason for this event is one of the most important in the world right now," Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello said. "The debts are a kind of economic violence against countless millions."

Audience on the issues: Uwe Behrens, 45, a railway worker, was at the first Live Aid, 20 years ago in London. "What can I do by myself?" he said. "But at least I can be here to show my support."

— Marc Young

Paris
Venue: The Château of Versailles
Attendance: About 300,000

The setup: The revolving stage helped speed set changes. Still, fans had to endure delays of up to 20 minutes between acts. Concession vendors sold snacks and drinks. Security guards gave out water to fans and helped those who succumbed to dehydration.

The crowd: Most were age 18 to 40. Fans dressed casually because of the heat.

Hottest act: Placebo attracted a cadre of young female fans who lined the front barrier with hand-written signs.

Out of place: The show, which was supposed to end around 10:30 p.m., dragged on because of set changes. The Cure was to be the closing act, but African singer Youssou N'Dour, who shared the stage with a late-arriving Dido, ended the evening with a ballad aptly titled New Africa.

Memorable moments: Shakira energized the crowd.

Audience on the issues: Paris Valentine, 17, of Bristol, England, said she was glad her favorite band, Placebo, played Live 8. "I feel brilliant being part of it," she said. "(Nations) should get rid of the debt so (Africa) can get stronger."

— Noelle Knox, USA TODAY

Rome
Venue: Circus Maximus
Attendance: About 200,000

The setup: On the site of a 2,200-year-old Roman stadium. Volunteers handed out more than 100,000 half-liter bottles of water. A handful of food cart operators sold soft drinks for 7 euros (about $8) and sandwiches for 10.

The crowd: Mostly under 30. Attire of choice in the oppressive heat was shorts and no shirt for men, bikini tops for women.

Hottest act: Fiery red-haired Roman Fiorella Mannoia. Faith Hill sparked the spectacle of several shirtless Romans trying to do the Texas two-step.

Out of place: Duran Duran was among the first to play, and the band didn't hide its disappointment at the sparse crowd at that point.

Memorable moment: Italian rapper Lorenzo Jovanotti electrified the crowd by jumping off the stage. He was trailed by a pair of security guards who failed to keep pace as the crowd closed in.

Audience on the issues: Giulio Scarpatti, 22: "This is supposed to help Africa? Great! They need it. Hey, is Madonna going to play soon?" Sarah Werner, 33, of Louisville: "It's not often that you can do something so worthwhile and enjoy yourself so much at the same time."

— Eric Lyman

Ontario, Moscow also rock
•In Barrie, Ontario, near Toronto, native son Neil Young performed a rousing Rockin' in the Free World before 35,000 fans.

•In Tokyo, Bjork and Good Charlotte played before 10,000 in support of Asia's sole G8 nation.

•In Johannesburg, former South African president Nelson Mandela told a crowd of more than 8,000: "I say to all the (G8) leaders: Do not look the other way, do not hesitate. ... It is within your power to prevent a genocide."

•In Moscow, 15,000-20,000 jammed into a square near the Kremlin to hear a mostly home-grown lineup of musical acts.

•A 10th concert in southwestern England showcased African artists.