I didn’t watch Live8 over the weekend. Unlike Live Aid, I didn’t get caught up in the moment. I am too cynical now, and while I believe it was set up for all the right reasons, it was hijacked. If every one of those performers had given up all the revenue from increased record sales in the next 6 months, then I would have been less cynical. If the ‘Multi-millionaire rock stars performing in Philadelphia’ gave back their free gifts worth $12,000 (£6,800) [Source], I would have been even less cynical.
Alexis Petridis, in The Guardian, says, “even the most cynical observer would be forced to admit that, even judged on music alone, Live 8 has been a remarkable day”, but, unfortunately, I heard very little. Still, I have higher hopes for today’s G8 Summit. Really, I do.