London: "It's 12 noon in London, 7 a.m. in Philadelphia, and around the world it's time for Live Aid." This announcement on July 13, 1985, marked the beginning of a monumental event that broadcast over 16 hours of music from Wembley Stadium in London and John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. Live Aid united close to 2 billion people across more than 100 countries with the primary goal of raising funds for famine relief in drought-stricken Ethiopia. It became the largest satellite linkup and television broadcast of its time.
According to Deutsche Welle, Live Aid was the brainchild of Irish musician Bob Geldof and Ultravox's Midge Ure. The event was organized at a rapid pace, fueled by the momentum from the 1984 Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Ure later mentioned in The Guardian how much of the planning relied on instinct and goodwill rather than strategic planning or budgeting. This model set a precedent for future events like Farm Aid (1985), Live 8 (2005), and Live Earth (2007).
Speaking in 2004 during the release of a DVD box set of the event, Geldof stated, "We took an issue that was nowhere on the political agenda and, through the lingua franca of the planet - which is not English, but rock n roll - we were able to address the intellectual absurdity and the moral repulsion of people dying of want in a world of surplus."
Despite its noble intentions, Live Aid was not without criticism, especially regarding representation. Although it aimed to benefit Africa, no African performers were included in the 1985 lineup, and female representation was limited. Geldof defended the choices, asserting that artists were selected based on their ability to draw donations.
In 2005, Geldof organized Live 8, coinciding with the G8 summit to urge global leaders to "Make Poverty History." However, the lineup faced similar criticism for lack of diversity. The original roster included only Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour, prompting backlash. Subsequently, the Africa Calling concert was organized, showcasing prominent African artists.
Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter, expressed her thoughts in The Guardian about the portrayal of Africa during Live Aid. She noted, "The version of Africa that Live Aid was selling the world was very different to the one in which I grew up."
Bob Geldof has often faced accusations of having a "white savior complex," which he rejects. Responding to criticism in The Guardian in 2024 about Live Aid's portrayal of Africa, Geldof dismissed it as "the greatest load of bollocks ever."
Live Aid raised millions for famine relief and had lasting political impacts. It inspired the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, although the program later faced financial cuts. A recent documentary, "Live Aid at 40: When Rock n Roll Took On The World," highlights how Geldof and Bono's lobbying led to G8 leaders agreeing to cancel $40 billion of debt owed by 18 of the world's poorest countries after Live 8.
Reflecting on Live Aid's 40th anniversary, Geldof, now 73, shared his thoughts with NME, expressing doubts about replicating its ethos in the social media age. However, he remains optimistic about the power of collective action, stating, "You can change things, you really can actually change things. ... The individual isn't powerless and, collectively, you really can change things."