Live 8 - REVIEW - WARNING VERY LONG REVIEW!!

Mullin · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 20062 Location: Ivybridge

Well I have just got back from the most amazing weekend I have ever had. I attended the biggest rock/pop concert the world has ever seen, a rock/pop concert that will change the world as we know it, a rock/pop concert that will Make Poverty History!

You are going to have to bear with me with this one as this is going to be the longest review I have ever written and I have to remember a lot! So here we go….

On Friday 1st July, Ant, Pete, Jen and I traveled up to London at about 12.30 in the afternoon, the traffic was very bad and we didn’t actually get to our campsite until gone 7pm so it was quite a journey! We set up our tents, had some food from a BBQ and had a few beers and chatted about the day that lay ahead of us! We were all very excited, but it still hadn’t sunk in exactly what we were going to be a part of! We went to bed at about 12pm and I slept like a baby!

Pete woke me up at 5.30am and we all dragged ourselves out of bed and had showers etc to wake us up. We had a bacon role each and we were on our way into London by about 6.30am! We got the bus from the campsite to Edmonton Green Train Station, we then traveled on the train to Seven Sisters Tube station where we got the tube to Green Park and from there we walked to Hyde Park. We got to the queue at about 8.30am where we waited and waited until 12 mid-day when the gates opened!

We crushed and shuffled our way through the ticket stands where we had the stubs taken from our tickets and as soon as we were all through the gates we ran….we ran like we had never ran before! We finally made it to here (in the small black circle)

So we were quite near the front! We then sat down along with most of the other people that were near us. We sat and waited for about 2 hours, now it may sound like sitting and waiting is an easy business but sat on a hard floor for two hours is a different story! My butt was aching before the concert had even started!

At 2pm things kicked off! The first act on were the legendary Paul McCartney and Bono with their rendition of Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, unfortunately Macca did wear his original Sergeant Peppers uniform that he wore when he was in The Beatles like the rumors said he would, which I was a bit gutted about! But even so it was a brilliant way to kick off the show!

Next up were U2 now I haven’t seen these guys before and I was expecting great things from them and I got it! They were outstanding, they played Beautiful Day, Vertigo and One, I got a few pictures of them which I will show you later, U2 were a great way to kick off the show.

On next were Coldplay, now after releasing their new album recently, I think everyone was excited about seeing them, I really like their new material and weirdly enough I knew most of the words to their songs just from them being played on the radio they played In My Place and Fix You, then Chris Martin bought someone on stage that just blew me away! Richard Ashcroft from The Verve! He was absolutely outstanding! I loved The Verve and Bitter Sweet Symphony is an outstanding tune, it gave me goose bumps! It was finally sinking in exactly what we were in for!

After about a 5 minute wait on wheeled Andy pushed my Lou better known as Matt Lucas and David Walliams! They did their usual comedy act and had everyone in stitches, they introduced someone I had really been looking forward to seeing Elton John! He came on looking rather plainer than I thought he was going to look! He sat behind his piano and slammed out Saturday Nights Alright, which had me boogying on one spot! He is truly the great piano player ever! He then played The Bitch Is Back which I thought was a very appropriate song! He then introduced onto the stage Pete Doherty, now I really like Pete and from where we were standing their rendition of Children Of The Revolution by T-Rex sounded great, but according to the press and my parents who watched it on TV said it sounded awful and Pete was badly out of tune, which is a shame coz it really did sound great from where we were!

Up next was Dido, now I love Dido’s voice so I really enjoyed her set she played White Flag which she had the whole crowd singing along to, Thank You and Seven Seconds which she dueted with Youssou N'Dour who is an African singer with the most amazing voice and it made that song sound beautiful.

Stereophonics were on next, I have never seen these guys and again like the same as Coldplay they have released loads of new material recently which I really like, they played Dakota which had everyone singing along to and Local Boy In The Photograph which is one of their old classics, they also played other classics like Bartender And The Thief and another new one Superman, they had a great stage presence and Kelly the lead singer was looking more than fine! I have some photos of them to which I will show you later.

Who was to walk on stage next but Ricky Gervais, now Ricky was a bit silly and he said some silly things which didn’t really impress the crowd to much and his jokes went down like a led balloon, but he made up for it by doing his David Brent dance from The Office which had everyone in the crowd holding their stomachs from laughing to much! He was brilliant! He also said he had never done that dance since filming it and will never do it again! It really did make up for the bloomer he came out with before! He then introduced REM.

On walked Michael Stipe with his familiar blue strip of make-up across his eyes, they rocked into a set of three songs which included Imitation of Life, Everybody Hurts and Man on the Moon. The crowd were sucked in and singing along, mesmerized by the unique sound of REM.

Up next was Ms Dynamite, now her kind of music isn’t really my cup of tea but she really does have an amazing voice and her cover of Redemption Song by Bob Marley was outstanding, it sounded beautiful and apparently she got big praise back stage from all the celebrities in the back stage area. She also sang her biggest hit Dy-na-mi-tee. Hearing her sing live really has changed my opinion on her genre of music.

Now the people I was with at Live 8 really don’t like Keane and sat down through most of their set, me on the other hand really like them and I thought they were outstanding! They really are one of my favorite bands at the moment and they played both my favorite songs of theirs Bed Shaped and Somewhere Only We Know, it was a great shame they could only do the two songs because they were excellent live and I will be going to see them as soon as I can!

On next were Travis, I am not to keen on these guys I think it is because when they first came out their songs were played non-stop on the radio over and over again and I think they began to bug me after a while, but seeing a band live really change your perspective on things. They played Sing, Turn and Why Does It Always Rain On Me? Which are all brilliant songs and had everyone singing along, everyone was warily looking at the sky when they played Why Does It Always Rain On Me, as there were big black clouds looming overhead! But thankfully the song did not entice out the rain! Thank goodness as we had left our ponchos at the campsite!

When Bob Geldof came on stage after Travis and apologized to the crowd for what he was about to do we were all a little confused but when he said that he was not going to be satisfied until he had played on that stage and him and his band broke out into I Don’t Like Mondays, everyone in the crowd went nuts! What a tune!  The crowd went even more nuts when he introduced Brad Pitt onto the stage! Brad came on and did a little speech and introduced Annie Lennox.

Now this is a lady that can sing! I have never heard a voice like it! Absolutely stunning! Her piano skills were through the roof to! She played Why, Little Bird and Sweet Dreams, she looked fantastic to! I have never really listened to any of her stuff but when she was playing it really did give me some serious goose bumps!

Next on were UB40 now these guys were slated in the press the next day for moaning about not having enough time on stage, which is pretty typical for most bands I think! But no-one really questioned it apart from them! They were good though they played Food For Thought, Who You Fighting For, Reasons, Red Red Wine and Can't Help Falling In Love, not really my cup of tea but great non the less.

This next guy I had been looking forward to all day! He really is the greatest rapper in the world in my eyes and I have loved him since I was about 16! The awesome Snoop Dog! He swooned on stage with his dancers and backing singers! He did upset the crowd a bit by swearing quite a lot but that is Snoop all over! It is what he does! If you don’t like it then why put him on the bill! He sang a medley of Ups And Downs, It's A G Thang, Drop It, Signs and What's My Name.

Razorlight were on next, I am loving Razorlight at the moment which I think is the same for most people! They really are a talented band and really will go far! Johnny Borrell had a funky hat on and half way through their set he stripped his skinny body of his shirt and bounced around the stage like tigger! They really are a great live act and are another band I want to go and see soon! They played Somewhere Else, Golden Touch, Vice.

All though the show between acts they were showing the other Live 8 concerts going on all over the world, they showed Green Day in Germany and Destiny’s Child in Philadelphia along with loads of other highlights, it was so weird to see all those other people doing the same thing you were but in different countries. A very surreal experience.

Bob Geldof came on stage again after Razloright and showed us a video of all the children in Africa that are starving and dieing from aids and HIV, it was a really moving film and it ended with a still picture of the young girl that they saved 10 minutes from her death 20 years ago, then he introduced Birhan Woldu onto the stage, the same girl they saved all those years ago! It was so moving my eyes were welling up she said in African how she was very happy to be here and she was thankful for all the things we are doing for her country. It was an amazing thing to see and goes to show that what we were doing was going to make a difference.

Birhan Woldu was then joined on stage by the one and only Madonna! Now this is a woman who I was really looking forward to see the ultimate Queen of pop, she looked stunning all in white she hugged Birhan Woldu and started to sing Like A Prayer, it was all very emotional. Birhan Woldu then left the stage and Madonna continued with her set she carried onto sing Music and Ray of Light. She strutted her stuff and showed she could still rock it with the best of them, and she did and to a T! She also stunned the crowd by swearing saying ‘Are you f***ing ready London’ I mean that may not seem like much but I guess it means a whole lot more when it comes from her! Her set was outstanding and he really blew me away.

Ok so we are on page 4 of this review and we still have quite a long way to go! Up next were Snow Patrol, now these guys are good but their songs in my opinion are a bit depressing, they played Chocolate and Run, they are a really talented band and are great live, but a little to down beat for me.

I had been looking forward to seeing this next act all day and I was absolutely gutted when I realized they were only going to be playing one song! The Killers came on stage next in their white suits! Brandon was looking fine as per usual! They played Smile Like You Mean It and got everyone singing the line I Got Soul But Im Not A Solider, they are fantastic live and it was such a shame they only played that one song!

On next was Joss Stone, I have seen Joss before at Glastonbury last year so I knew what I was in for! She truly has an amazing voice! She sang Super Duper Love, I Had A Dream and Some Kind of Wonderful, she stomped across the stage from side to side in her bare feet with her long locks flowing! She is going to be part of our music scene for a very long time to come considering she is only 18 years old!

Scissor Sisters were up next, they really are an awesome live act! They are so flamboyant and outrageous! They are brilliant live, they played Laura and Take Your Mama, they also played a new song that no-one has heard before so we all felt very privileged it was called Everybody Wants The Same Thing, which is definitely going to be a hit! It was fantastic!

Up next were Velvet Revolver now I hadn’t really heard any of these guys material before and the only reason why I was so excited to see them was because of Slash who was as you know was in Guns And Roses, and my god can that man play! He was outstanding! The rest of the band was great to but I think he stole the how for sure!

Now a legend in his own right was up next! Sting! An ultimate star! The fame just shone off him like a blinding light! He was amazing! He played Every Breath You Take, Message in a Bottle, Desert Rose. Pretty much everyone in the crowd knew all the words to all his songs! He really got the crowd bopping away.

Now I was unsure why this next woman was put on the bill as she seems like a woman that goes against everything that Live 8 stands for. She even admitted to a reporter that she starved herself for a week to get into the dress she was wearing that night! Yes that’s right Maria Carey, not only was her set awful but she had most of the people that were stood around me booing! Not someone I will be wanting to se again!

Robbie Williams was on next and he was introduced by David Beckham, now you wouldn’t think of Robbie as someone I would like, but my god I have never seen such a performance! He whipped the crowed up into a complete frenzy! They were going absolutely nuts…including me! Everyone was screaming! He played Let Me Entertain You and Feel. His final song was one we all knew he was going to sing and were just waiting for him to say it! And when he did the whole place erupted! He sang Angels along with every other member of the crowd! I was trying to imagine what it was like to have over 200,000 people singing your song at you! Mind blowing!

Peter Kay was on stage next he wondered around the stage blabbering on in the way he does! I think he came on stage a bit to early as he was trying to introduce the next act but a sound man kept saying that they were not ready for them! So Peter sat down on a speaker and then got everyone singing Is This The Way To Amarillo…the whole crowd was singing along! It was very funny! When they sound people were ready he introduced The Who!

I have listened to The Who since I was younger as both my mum and dad are fans of them so I was completely blown away by the hits that they sang! They got together again especially for the gig so that made it all the more special they played Who Are You?, Won't Get Fooled Again, Baba O'Riley and Behind Blue Eyes.

Now this next band had not played a gig for 22 years! That means the last time they played was the year I was born, everyone in the crowd was itching to see them play again, Pink Floyd were next to grace the Live 8 stage. I hadn’t really listened to them before but seeing how excited the crowd was great! They played Breathe, Money, Wish You Were Here and Comfortably Numb.

Last but certainly not least to grace the stage was the one and only Paul McCartney, he was the perfect way to end what had been the most amazing day that all the people there had probably every had. He played about 4 classic Beatles tunes by this time I was ready to go home, but when he broke into The Long And Winding Road I was memorized, it is such a beautiful song! He was then joined on stage by George Michael and they sang Drive My Car together which was a classic moment. They were then joined on stage by the rest of the bands and acts that had played that day and together they all sang Hey Jude by The Beatles. It was a truly outstanding way to finish the most breathtaking day of music.

Live 8 was organized to put an end to world poverty and to make a statement to the 8 men that will be attending the G8 summit to put more money into aid for Africa. It was such a momentous day that it surely should have been enough to make a difference. It is something that will stay in my heart till the day I die and I am so proud to have been a part of it.

By Amy Mullin – 04/07/05
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reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13228 Location: Nottingham

Woah! You weren't lying when you said it was long! :lol:

Awesome review though Amy! :)

ukevents.net · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 2439

That was an excellent review.... thanks Amy. I wasnt lucky enough to be there but I caught some on tv and saw some outstanding performances from Paul McCartney in Hyde Park and an excellent performance from Kayne West in 'Philly.

:smt020

Mullin · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 20062 Location: Ivybridge

Thanks guys! It took me about 4 hours to write!!

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13228 Location: Nottingham

How many songs did the Killers sing?

Mullin · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 20062 Location: Ivybridge

Just the one! Read my reivew and you will know these things snilly!

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13228 Location: Nottingham

I did, but I forgot.

They should've sang Mr Brightside, I love that song! :-D

ukevents.net · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 2439

When Madonna said "Are you f***ing ready London" she stunned the BBC too coz that went out live at teatime :smt101

Mullin · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 20062 Location: Ivybridge

Yeah I know, everyone in the crowd looked at each other and said....oops!

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13228 Location: Nottingham

A few of em said the F word...

ukevents.net · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 2439

Who was that then Pingu ?

Mullin · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 20062 Location: Ivybridge

Snoop Dog said it about a hundred times!

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13228 Location: Nottingham

I dunno, I can't remember, but I know that a few of em said it...

Mullin · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 20062 Location: Ivybridge

Yeah they did....tut tut naughty naughty!!

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13228 Location: Nottingham

Heh, it's only a word.