Musian out for social cause in Africa

Live 8 is a series of concerts set for July 2 con ceived in order to capture the attention of the G8 conference in Scotland, where leaders of the world’s wealthiest countries will gather to discuss the horrendous social and economic conditions in many parts of Africa. Its debatable whether a bunch of international fat cats gathered for longwinded symposiums and sumptuous meals will ever make a difference in the lives of the suffering, but its a sure thing that the artists involvedin Live 8 will raise awareness of the issues because they have a track record of having done so before.

Once again Bob Geldof, a member of the Boomtown Rats, is at the center of the event, although now he’s Sir Bob. This time, Sir Bob has arranged six concerts. Five will take place in five cities on July 2 London, Berlin, Paris, Rome and Philadelphia and a sixth will happen in Edinburgh on July 6. The last one will occur at the epicenter of the diplomats confab to remind them to spend less time stuffing their faces and pounding cocktails and more time on debt relief and aid to poor African nations.

The lineup of acts is another who’s who of wellintentioned rockers. U2 is always at the center of any altruistic endeavor in the world of music, and this is no exception. Bono and the boys will headline the London show in Hyde Park along with Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Bob Gelded. All they need is Sir Ian McKellen and’ Sir Ben Kingsley and they could make a Knights of the Round Table movie. Also scheduled for the London show are REM, Madonna, Pink Floyd, Cold play, Annie Lennox, Marian Carey, Keane, Sting and Snoop Dogg. Snoop’s presence is sort of a consolation prize for hiphop fans, because 50 Cent the reigning king of the genre originally committed but then had to bow out. Apparently he had doublebooked himself, since he will be shooting a film in New York and Toronto on those dates. Bono reportedly called him to participate, and 50 Cent agreed, then realized his mistake.

Does that mean Bono could call Chris Martin of Cold play whenever he wants? If so, maybe Bono could tell Martin and his cohorts not to take themselves so seriously.