Pride (In The Name Of Love)

Crowds gather in Hyde Park, photo by Vikingchild

July 2nd 2005 was Live 8. We were lucky enough to be there, and also lucky enough to be old enough (?) to remember Live Aid in 1985. I was amazed to be there on the strength of one text message, but very grateful. I don't, as a rule, like festivals (I like to see the bands) but this was an exception.
20 years later, the cynicism was far more apparent. Questions regarding the motives of the people who took part, the choice of line-up, the lack of actual African music were all thrown at the organisers (although Chumbawamba and the Pet Shop Boys had raised similar questions of the original Live Aid) . Rose-coloured memories seemed to have erased the presence of the likes of Nik Kershaw and Howard Jones (no disrespect intended), focussing only on the barn-storming performances (U2, Queen, Bowie - for example). In 2005, Live 8 was never going to be Live Aid...
...but it wasn't meant to be. It had the same mix of questionable acts (pick your own; mine were Joss Stone & Mariah Carey) and the barn-storming performances (U2 again, Robbie Williams etc.) It had spontaneity (the crown singing "Rocking All Over The World" before the start - and booing Carey, har har). It had great reunions (Pink Floyd, The Who - again). The golden circle, whilst probably necessary, was badly executed. It over-ran dreadfully. Elton John declared it an "anti-climax" - well, it was his fault for perfoming with the barely adequate Pete Docherty and massacring the wondrous "Children of the Revolution". Well, sorry, Sir Elton, I disagree.
It was a different day, one which concentrated on raising awareness in the aforesaid cynical society. The G8 is now something people have heard of. I still get shivers when I hear "Come On Home" by Franz Ferdinand (used as the sting for the political messages played between acts, though not played by the BBC - whose coverage was pretty dismal, I'm afraid). Perhaps the message was diverted somewhat by the horror of July 7th, but nevertheless, if even half the people in Hyde Park were educated by the messages of the day, never mind the audience at home, it was worth it. I'm glad - nay proud - that I was there.