Al Gore took another step toward sainthood — or at least becoming the next Bob Geldof — when the musical acts for his Live Earth concert extravaganza were announced today. As you’ll recall, the 24-hour, globally simulcast program will take place on July 7th (you know, 07/07/07, which symbolizes… well, I don’t know what) and feature scores of artists grinding out tunes in seven concerts on seven continents (oh, I get it now!) in order to raise awareness for climate crisis. The stars are a diverse lot, and, I must say, a pretty impressive one, too. Here are some of the bigger names:
Performing in London
• Beastie Boys
• Black-Eyed Peas
• Duran Duran
• Foo Fighters
• Genesis
• James Blunt
• John Legend
• Madonna
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
Performing in New Jersey
• Alicia Keys
• Bon Jovi
• Dave Matthews Band
• John Mayer
• Kanye West
• Kelly Clarkson
• Sheryl Crow
• Smashing Pumpkins
• The Police
So there you have it. Thoughts? Concerns? How do you think this lot compares to Live Aid’s 1985 roster? Or to that of Live 8 two summers ago? What about major acts like Madonna (pictured) and the Police roughing it with all sorts of flavors-of-the-moment? Where the bleep is U2? Maybe they’ll appear at one of the other five concerts, whose lineups have yet to be announced. Even still, will you tune in?
Honestly, I don’t see any “flavors of the moment” in either of those lineups. I think it should be an awesome show. I’ll definitely be watching.
you’re right- where is U2? you would think they’d be headlining this thing.
and may i just say this… Smashing Pumpkins??? OMFG!!!!
You forgot to mention Melissa Etheridge is playing the US show
You forgot to mention Melissa Etheridge is playing the US show
Excellent. Just excellent.
I’m really embarrassed to ask this, but you know what they say “there’s no such thing as a stupid question (just stupid people that ask questions).”
Anyway, “seven concerts in seven continents”? Isn’t Antarctica a continent? Didn’t know about the great concert venue down there. Someone enlighten me, please?
I just hope these promoters learn the lesson of “Live 8″, and deny MTV and VH1 any right to broadcast this concert, or any Viacom network, period, or else just offer them one feed they must stick to without any commercial or network interupption. I’d rather watch music, not VJ blather, thank you.
The show sounds awesome. Kelly Clarkson is going to kill with her new single! (“Never Again”, out Friday, BTW)
I too fail to see many “flavors of the moment” present. The Beasties, the Foos, the Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, and DMB have been doin’ it for a long time now.
You said: “Where the bleep is U2?” An even better question is: “Why the bleep isn’t Bruce Springsteen in the lineup for the Jersey show???”
YAY MADONNA!!!!!
I bet U2 plays somewhere in Africa. I want to know what the other acts are on other continents. And Ceballos, I’m with you — are they counting Antarctica as a continent? Are the concerts free, like Live 8?
I want Xtina to perform!
@Lizaphile: I can only hope that’s the case. After leaving the Philly Live 8 show, I got back to my friend’s house to watch the rest of it on tv and couldn’t believe that MTV/VH1 thought it was more important to show their VJ’s inspidly blathering on about how historic the Pink Floyd reunion was instead of, you know, SHOWING THE PINK FLOYD REUNION.
Not to sound like a curmudgeon, but what’s this suppose dto be free? I wouldn’t want to schlep out to Jersey AND pay for that line-up.