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[July 05, 2007]

Bands go global with eco message

(Belfast Telegraph Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Up to 150 acts will play at Live Earth in locations in the UK, America, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan and South Africa.

It is estimated that the shows will attract a worldwide audience of two billion people, making it one of the largest global events in history.

The plans for the Live Earth event were announced in Los Angeles by former US Vice President US Al Gore.

During the concerts, people will be asked to support a seven-point pledge, including a demand that each country joins an international treaty within the next two years to cut global warming by 90% in developed countries.

Northern Irish band Snow Patrol will perform at the London leg of the event, alongside some of the biggest names in rock and pop, including Madonna, Razorlight, Kasabian, Keane, Beastie Boys, James Blunt, Foo Fighters, David Gray, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pussycat Dolls and Duran Duran.


Following their afternoon appearance, the five-piece will then travel to Dublin for their headlining performance at the Oxegen Festival the same night.

Irish crooner Damian Rice is also on the London bill.

Singer Katie Melua, who was born in the Ukraine but spent some of her childhood in Belfast and attended Dominican College, Fortwilliam while living here with her family, will take to the stage in Germany, with acts like Snoop Dog, Shakira and Enrique Iglesias.

In the US, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, The Police, Kanye West and KT Tunstall will headline the bill, while in Australia the line-up will include Crowded House, Jack Johnson and Toni Collette and The Finish.

In Brazil, Lenny Kravitz, Macy Gray and Pharell Williams will perform. Anthony Wong and Sarah Brightman will be in China.

Japan's show will feature Michael Nyman and Yellow Magic Orchestra and, in South Africa, Joss Stone and UB40 are among the acts who will play.

The London concert will be presented by Chris Moyles and Russell Brand.

The concerts aim to set a 'green example' for other music events by using measures such as eco-friendly electricity, sustainable lighting and carbon-neutral travel. But the event has already drawn criticism from some quarters. Muse frontman Matt Bellamy hit out at the use of private jets while The Who's lead singer Roger Daltrey said he did not believe a concert would help answer any questions about global warming.

Launching the event, Al Gore said he hoped Live Earth would attract an audience of billions.

"We hope Live Earth will launch a global campaign, giving a critical mass of people around the world the tools they need to help solve the climate crisis."

The seven-point pledge

1 To demand that my country join an international treaty within the next two years that cuts global warming pollution by 90% in developed countries and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthy earth

2 To take personal action to help solve the climate crisis by reducing my own CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) pollution as much as I can and offsetting the rest to become 'carbon neutral'

3 To fight for a moratorium on the construction of any new generating facility that burns coals without the capacity to safely trap and store the CO2

4 To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home workplace, school, place of worship and means of transportation

5 To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal

6 To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests

7 To buy from businesses and support leaders who share my commitment to solving the climate crisis and building a sustainable, just and prosperous world for the 21st century

Copyright 2007 Independent News & Media Ltd Source: The Financial Times Limited

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