Live And Kicking

It was 20 years ago today...” And so, on an overcast afternoon in Hyde Park, a huge mass of people have gathered to show solidarity with their fellow human beings through the medium of pop music...

There’s also the small matter of seeing some of the world’s biggest artists together on the same stage.
At 1.55pm, the mood amongst the assembled masses is almost subdued, as if nobody can quite believe the line-up to come, especially given that to buy a ticket to go and see them all individually would probably cancel the debt of a small African country on its own.
Footage of the original Live Aid beams from the big screens, laying down the gauntlet as much to the crowds as the bands themselves, and it’s hard to imagine a better way of opening “the biggest concert ever organised in the history of the world” than with U2 and Paul McCartney blasting out ‘Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band’. As Bono himself says – what a trip. In truth it’s not until their high class busking session finishes and U2 launch into 'Beautiful Day’ that the first real spine-tingling moment of the day arrives, the song merging into The Beatles’ ‘Blackbird’ as a flock of doves are released at the front of the stage.
But, following a brilliant ‘One’, it’s time for the biggest band in the world to make way. Strange to think the day is only beginning...
Chris Martin bounds onstage and Coldplay set about the task of following in their heroes’ footsteps, an ironic cheer going up as they smuggle a segment of Status Quo’s ‘Rocking All Over The World’ into ‘In My Place’.
They also provide one of the most inspired collaborations of the day, with Richard Ashcroft joining them for ‘Bittersweet Symphony’, while the most unexpected arrives when Elton John wheels out the Pete Doherty show for a somewhat shaky rendition of ‘Children of the Revolution’.
If the intent is all about sending a message of unity to the G8 leaders, it’s not only the acts who enter the spirit but the crazy quilt of a crowd, with cooler-than-thou indie kids dancing alongside middle-aged mums (even if not all at the same time).
That said, the appearance of Youssou N’Dour onstage with Dido acts as a reminder of just how few black faces there are in an otherwise diverse crowd.
In between the bands, the screens show us the other concerts around the globe, all seemingly happening in blinding sunshine. Back in dreary old London, it’s time to get excited again as REM arrive and follow up ‘Everybody Hurts’ with a great ‘Man On The Moon’, during which Michael Stipe indulges in some brilliantly silly, hip-swivelling, dancing.
Thus far Bob Geldof had kept his onstage contribution to a minimum – but he receives undivided attention when he does finally address the crowd. “Well I suppose it would have been a bit crap if nobody had turned up," he says, and eventually gives in to temptation to perform ‘I Don’t like Mondays’, pausing once more to emphasise that the “lesson today is how to die”.
It’s clear that he hasn’t lost the ability to cut through the crap in a way that no musician, or indeed politician, can equal – but this time 'round he’s more like a benign uncle, warning people that because of overruns they might need to leave early to get their trains home. As if. As it turns out many end up stranded in Hyde Park because of their reluctance to leave the party.
Perhaps the most genuinely moving moment of the concert arrives with Annie Lennox’s rendition of ‘Why’, accompanied by a video of beautiful children playing with the camera, all of whom we are told had been suffering from AIDS, and most of whom are now dead.
Despite the pain of watching, nobody can take their eyes away from the screens. In a way, the music is a mere soundtrack to these powerful images, prompting us to remember that this is much more than just a musical mini-fest for those with low attention spans.
Back onstage, Snoop Dogg soon brings a welcome if slightly inappropriate dose of foul-mouthed fun to the proceedings (and has parents scrambling for the kids’ ear muffs), while Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell makes full use of the occasion to advertise his own Bono ambitions, delivering an ultra confident, chest-baring set.
Another highlight comes when Uncle Bob introduces of Birhan Woldu, a survivor of the Ethiopian famine of 20 years ago. Mesmerized by the vast crowds, as Madonna bursts into a blinding version of ‘Ray of Light’, her interpreter arrives to gently lead her away, only for Madonna to grab his hand as well and pull him dancing across the stage.
It must have seemed a bit surreal for Snow Patrol, flying in from their gig in Killarney the night before, to land in the midst of all this, but despite occasional sound glitches they do themselves justice with an uplifting version of ‘Run’.
Unfortunately the same can’t quite be said of The Killers, who after a patchy ‘All These Things That I Have Done’ make a slightly confused looking exit from the stage.
With the almost setting sun finally bursting through the clouds, Scissors Sisters delight in camping things up once more while the first truly cringeworthy moment of the day arrives with Mariah Carey scuttling onto the stage and introducing her personal assistant, while thrusting her mic into the faces of a frightened looking children’s choir. Those not booing suddenly wished they were already on the walk to Edinburgh.
It takes the cheeky chappy act of Robbie Williams to reignite tired hands and vocal chords, and despite whispers of “blasphemy” from some during his version of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’, you can’t help the feeling that it had to be done by someone.
Finally it’s time for the grumpy grandads to demonstrate their legendary status to the younger generation, and they do just that. The Who turn in a brilliant ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ before the much-vaunted, reunited Pink Floyd take to the stage and bring with them an unexpected warmth. Despite the dry ice threatening to obscure them at times, a magnificent ‘Wish You Were Here’ alone makes it worth the wait.
And so, only three hours behind schedule, it’s time for the finale. Though it’s a tad disappointing that many of the big names have already hit the long and winding road, it does indeed prove a fitting end, and ‘Hey Jude’ is still echoing out from the crowd as they make their exit.
Even judged on the music alone it’s been quite a day, and as we leave, believing once more in the strength of people power, you hope it is a sentiment that will resound long after this concert has receded into the memory.