Live 8- Make Poverty History

[stardusties]

haha awsome! road trip >>; am I late to get on topic again? -die-

[bulmasman]

News from Yahoo:

MAKUHARI, Japan - The Live 8 global music marathon to raise awareness of African poverty began in Japan on Saturday, as Bjork and Good Charlotte joined local bands in a concert that failed to generate much interest in Asia's only G-8 nation.

Added to the Live 8 list at the last minute, the concert in Japan drew only about 10,000 people, all of whom were selected in a lottery. The venue in this Tokyo suburb normally holds about 20,000.

Even so, organizers said that considering they had less than a month to prepare, it was a good showing.

"There's no precedent for this," said Lily Sobhani, one of the event's organizers. "This was done mega-quick. It's absolutely amazing that this is happening in Japan."

Live 8 aims to push aid for Africa high on the agenda of the Group of Eight major industrial nations when they hold their annual summit in Scotland next week.

Despite the small turnout in Tokyo, performers said they were glad to be part of the larger event.

"It's a good event for Africa, a good event for the world," said Jesse, the lead singer for Rize, a Japanese hard rock/rap band that had the honor of kicking it all off. "We'd play even if it was just for one person."

"It's encouraging they got something together," Joel Madden, Good Charlotte's lead vocalist, told The Associated Press. "Maybe next time they'll get twice as many people."

Japan became the kickoff point because it is in an earlier time zone than the other host cities around the world. Organizers say Live 8 will bring 100 artists on stage in nine countries and reach an audience of more than 5.5 billion people.

It failed to create much of a buzz here, however.

Japan's lineup, announced just a week ago, was a far cry from U2, Madonna and
Paul McCartney, who will be performing in London, or
Stevie Wonder and Destiny's Child, who will be among the stars on stage in Philadelphia.

But organizers say the inclusion of Tokyo was significant because Japan is the only Asian country hosting Live 8, and is also the only Asian country in the G-8. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will be traveling to Scotland next week to attend the summit.

"Japan is an economic powerhouse," said Claire Lewis, of the British development and relief agency Oxfam which is helping organize the event. "We feel Japan should be represented and there should be a voice from Japan saying we want to have an end to poverty."

The other Live 8 concerts will be held in Britain, France, Germany, Canada, the United States, Russia, South Africa and Italy.

"So many people are going to be watching it on their televisions — that's what really matters," said Harry Judd, of the British band McFly.

They really could have had a better line up, but with such a short space of time to sort things out they did ok. but to be honest, i wouldn't have tried going even if i was there, that lineup is rather dire imo.

[PickleCookies]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely going to learn about the poverty-stricken lands of Africa by listening to Bono wail while wearing his faux-chic glasses.

[boogieordie]

Originally Posted by PickleCookies

I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely going to learn about the poverty-stricken lands of Africa by listening to Bono wail while wearing his faux-chic glasses.

LMFAO! I love you, PC

[PickleCookies]

I love you too, Ashley. And feel free to quote me in your discussion on Farscape.

The only reason I turned on Live 8 was to watch Mariah. Nothing more. And I don't doubt that many people used this to watch their favorite artists as well- not to learn about the poverty situation in Africa. Maybe a few wanted to learn, but not many. If you think otherwise, you're just being naïve.

[Jennie Mae]

WAAA!! I signed the petition and they showed my name when The Who was on!!

I signed the petition and saw my first name scroll by, and just as the first few pixels of the last name appeared, they cut to another camera!! I doubt it was me, though. Still really awesome to see all those names up there, though.

I had it on all day in the background. I'm not really a huge fan of anyone who performed, but it was just so cool to see. I think it's definitely a good thing, because it's to raise awareness which is the first step in making anything happen. People need to hear about something 10,000,000 times before they realize "Hey, this isn't just some out-of-touch story on the news, it's actually a really really really huge problem that's out of hand."

I really hope the G-8 meeting goes well this week. Does anyone know how many names are on the Live 8 list now?

[boogieordie]

Originally Posted by PickleCookies

I love you too, Ashley. And feel free to quote me in your discussion on Farscape.

The only reason I turned on Live 8 was to watch Mariah. Nothing more. And I don't doubt that many people used this to watch their favorite artists as well- not to learn about the poverty situation in Africa. Maybe a few wanted to learn, but not many. If you think otherwise, you're just being naïve.

Oh, the mods closed that awhile ago since we were all arguing with eachother.

My problem with the concert is that lots of people are making money on this but none of it is going to charity, which I think is BS. Yeah, they're raising awareness and being helpful, but I still don't think they should be profitting. I hope that when the DVD comes out that it all goes to charity like the Live Aid DVD.

[PickleCookies]

That would be a good idea, but it's doubtful. Yeah, it bothers me too. Hell, they could even charge $1 a person, and get thousands, if not millions, from it.

[boogieordie]

Exactly what I thought. My friend lives not to far from Philly, and she ended up not going once she heard that they weren't taking donations and that no money was going to charity. She thought that was lame.

[PickleCookies]

It really is lame. *sigh*

[Qt Mashi]

oh darn wish Ayu performed in it~!~! it's pretty big

I dunno if anyone read the AP news but apparently Japanese fans didn't really rally to the concert there, only half of the stadium was full (about 10,000). It's stark when you contrast it to the 1 million + people who crowded around Philly.

[~^V^~]

damn it was way wikid

[MsMiyabi]

I thought they were making money from the viewers you know the money is make by how many people that watch

[TeamAyu]

I heard the line-up also included Do As Infinity... I could be wrong though ^^;; I would think the stadium would have filled up especially since Def Tech and Dreams Come True were there. Hmmm maybe they needed more big stars to line-up.

[Corybobory]

There's a lot of tlak about how money isnt the answer, it's awareness and change.. that's why it's not a charity. Give a fish etc.

[norain]

Heh, they had no one interesting, and a 15 second clip of Bjork's singing. Good Charlotte? hahahah...Live 8 AWARENESS..."Ok so there's 3 million people coming all together with all the concerts. And if each of them paid a dollar that would be 3 Million! Ehh...nahh, let's just make it free and just for awareness so we won't have any money to donate to the poor." <--- hahaha

[Corybobory]

^Money isnt the answer to poverty, it's politics and trade and debt and corruption etc... that's why they did the concert, so the people with the power could do something about it. Money is just a temporary solution to an ongoing problem *rant*

Yeah the Japan lineup was lame. But the LONDON lineup was All star!!!! I hope they put this on DVD I'll so get it!

[CyberSpaceQueen]

I recorded the whole 11 hours, which were showed on an Austrian TV. I'll watch it later! it's sure cool