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Sunday, Nov 22, 2009
Julianne Shepherd blogs at Cowboyz 'n' Poodles.
Patric Augustus' complaint about the lack of reggae artists is completely right-on. I think the British lineup is hideously white; for one, London is home to grime, which is perhaps the world's most vital new black art form since hip-hop. I mean, couldn't they at least have gotten Dizzee Rascal to open? Or M.I.A.? I understand the necessity for big-name artists on the bill, but even London's South Asian population numbers almost a million; while I cannot be mad at anyone who's working for change, the whiteness of the British lineup for the concert to help raise poverty awareness in Africa is a little patronizing, especially considering London's multiethnic population. The Live 8 spokesperson's response that "Live 8 is a global concert" and that "urban acts in the U.K. aren't popular in Rome or Paris" is weak. Like Nek is really blowing up the streets of Britain or the U.S. Please.
Jay-Z contributed something like $10,000 to the Christopher Wallace Foundation on the anniversary of Biggie's death. Raising awareness is one thing, but G.W. Bush, should he enact his African AIDS proposal, favors big-money American pharmaceutical companies, delivers most allocated money to churches and missionaries first, and preaches abstinence (though he has conceded on last-ditch condom distribution/education ... in Africa, at least). So I would like to see the American artists on the bills take the matter into their own hands and personally donate money to organizations like Project Hope or Doctors Without Borders.
I do like the idea of Stevie Wonder and Jay-Z on one show. In my fantasy world, I would attend the Philadelphia concert, and fly to Paris during 50 Cent's set to see Manu Chao. Be still my heart.
Berlin: I totally get the A-Ha headliner spot. But I would have added Ellen Allien, Mia (not M.I.A.; Mia, the Berlin new wave band). I would have put King Sunny Ade on the bill, and at least at the Philly show, mixed in more artists who put in real political work. My picks: Ozomatli, Ely Guerra, Immortal Technique, David Banner. And I would have replaced Will Smith as the Philly host with Rip Hamilton, the Piston with a heart of gold (he gets in because he is a native Pennsylvanian).
Lauryn Hill playing in Berlin is very, very exciting.
Despite its thrilling diva-ness, the London show is kinda boring. I would drop Sir Bob Geldof. I would drop Rob Thomas, Bon Jovi and anyone wearing diamonds from African mines.
Frank Yang blogs at Chromewaves.
I see a lot of incredibly safe, mainstream and, yes, white, artists. The usual suspects, if you will. But something like this isn't about introducing new or daring artists to the world, it's not about art -- it's about appealing to the largest possible demographic so that they'll reach into their pockets and give to a (presumably) worthy cause. And that demographic is quite simply the white, middle-aged, middle-class, middle-of-the-road folks who continue to make it possible for people like Sting to have a career. Indie kids aren't going to dig deep and donate, people who (can afford to) go to Elton John concerts are.
That said, I find Razorlight offensive in any context so I'd lobby to have them removed from the lineup.
If I had to go to one of these shows, I'd probably go with Berlin. Less crowded than London, I'd like to see Brian Wilson, and I have a long history with a-Ha.
The complaint about the whiteness of things is sort of reasonable. I don't believe in tokenism, but Mariah Carey is a pretty sorry representative of the black community. Surely they could do better?
Simon Reynolds blogs at Blissblog.
Can't say I care for anything too much on those lineups -- although I suppose the logic is bigger names, bigger attention level. If it was down to me to pick the lineups from my own favorites the event would be a disaster!
But why not Björk, say, or Radiohead? Or the reformed Roxy Music?
I would go to the Rome one, but only because I love Rome.
David Brusie blogs at Music (For Robots).
I would have asked some more of the original players to be involved, especially the ones who are still creating some great music, like David Bowie. Also missing is the great Mark Knopfler, who isn't with his band anymore but is nonetheless pretty great.
It's hard to say who I would drop, considering that some of the big-name bands will drum up some well-needed attention for the cause. But if I were at a concert, even a free one, I wouldn't be too interested in hearing Maroon 5 (despite my undying love for "This Love"), Sarah McLachlan or Rob Thomas. I think it's a matter of including more bands and artists who have a history of political action. For that reason, I was a little disappointed not to see Peter Gabriel on the list.
I think I'd have to go with the London show, what with R.E.M., Keane, Coldplay, the Killers, the Cure, Annie Lennox ... what's a benefit show without bands like Keane and Coldplay (the "new U2s" onstage with the actual U2!) pumping out some melodrama? Though R.E.M.'s new album is terrible (which it pains me to write), they're still pretty great live, and when they get to play for a cause, they're one of the few acts who seem genuinely interested in what they're playing for. I'd be sorry to miss Stevie Wonder and Jay-Z, only a couple of the show's non-white performers, do their great things. And how we've missed Jay-Z after he's been retired for so long!
As for the non-white issue, it's pretty ridiculous that more non-white acts aren't listed. Even if the event wasn't for recognition of African poverty, any lineup with so little variety is something of a crime. (And this is more of a pipe dream than a complaint about the lineup, but how great would it be to see Public Enemy out there?)
