'Live 8' to Raise Awareness for Debt Relief

Political activist and former Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof has announced plans for Live 8, a multinational concert event to raise awareness of global poverty and debt. The event, which will follow the format of 1985’s Live Aid concert, will take place July 2, in hopes of drawing attention to the July 6 G8 Summit in Scotland.

Live 8 will consist of events in five cities: London, Philadelphia, Paris, Berlin and Rome. All the concerts, which are free, feature high-profile artists such as Coldplay, R.E.M., U2, The Dave Matthews Band, Jamiroquai and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Organizers of the events hope that they will draw attention to the Make Poverty History campaign, which urges leaders of the world’s richest nations, eight of which will participate in the G8 Summit, to forgive developing nations’ debt and increase aid.

The original Live Aid was the result of Geldof’s efforts, and featured Madonna, David Bowie, Paul McCartney and many others. Several of the original performers will be returning on the Live 8 bill, which comes on the 20th anniversary of Live Aid.

Live 8 Lineup:

Hyde Park, London:

U2, R.E.M., Coldplay, Dido, Elton John, Keane, Annie Lennox, Madonna, Snow Patrol, Muse, Scissor Sisters, Paul McCartney, Joss Stone, Razorlight, Stereophonics, Sting, Robbie Williams, Velvet Revolver, Bob Geldof, The Killers, The Cure, Snow Patrol, Mariah Carey

Museum of Art, Philadelphia:

Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Dave Matthews Band, Sarah McLachlan, The Kaiser Chiefs, Rob Thomas, Will Smith, Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, P Diddy, Keith Urban, 50 Cent

Eiffel Tower, Paris:

Jamiroquai, Craig David, Youssou N'Dour, Yannick Noah, Andrea Bocelli, Calo Gero, Kyo, Placebo, Axelle Red, Johnny Halliday, Manu Chao, Renaud

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin:

Crosby, Stills and Nash, Brian Wilson, Lauryn Hill, A-ha, Bap, Die Toten Hosen, Peter Maffay

Circus Maximus, Rome:

Duran Duran, Faith Hill, Irene Grandi, Jovanotti, Tim McGraw, Nek, Laura Pausini, Vasco Rossi, Zucchero

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