July Fourth Weakend
Why don't we just call it Bland Aid?
No, that's taken, by WOW Report, one of the many bloggers and Web sites that sounded less than wowed about the initial lineup announced for Live 8, the free, African-aid benefit July 2 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
"McCartney, Sting, Bono? Bor-ring. Wouldn't it be an end to world poverty if they (and others, like Will Smith) just forked over some of their cash?" Wow asked.
Here in Philadelphia, we don't get those aging A-listers. We get the "others," like homegrown Mr. Smith and Bon Jovi, rappers Jay-Z, 50 Cent and P. Diddy, fresh-scrubbed rockers Dave Matthews and Maroon 5, Sarah McLaughlin, the Kaiser Chiefs, Rob Thomas and Keith Urban. So far, we're strong on hip-hop, weak on the rest.
The list will grow, and since the promoters were not showing their hand yesterday, readers of Blinq chimed in.
A budding impresario named Burbguy wrote:
"Does this city screw up everything??? A better lineup w/ mass appeal would have been: The Roots, Outkast, Jay-Z (w/ Linkin Park), Beastie Boys, The Pixies, Dave Matthews Band."
Bill Walsh added Velvet Revolver, Audioslave, and Van Halen to that list. (also Rolling Stones, U2 and Bruce Springsteen, but that's a little greedy)
That Dude From Philly, a local blogger transplanted to Charleston, S.C. bristled at news that Sir Bob Geldof had nixed a Spice Girls reunion in London because the group was insufficiently political.
"Not that I even remotely care about their music," That Dude wrote, "but it reminds me of why I hate the type of acts who are political....so damn pretentiously arrogant and smug. If he really cared about raising money he'd have them there; they'd generate tons of pub."
The potential for heavy messaging troubled Undertoad as well. "Dave Matthews talked about the whole point of this being outreach over the issue of African debt relief.
"Yeah, I just can't wait to stand for hours in the midday sun on the Parkway with a million other people, to be lectured at by Dave Matthews. Rock OUT man!"
The announcement of a reprise, to be held 20 years after the first Live Aid benefited famine relief, made Citizen Mom wax nostalgic. "I'm still sick over missing the first Live Aid," she wrote. "There I was, all of 13 years old, sitting on the beach in Cape May cursing myself for not being at JFK.
"Anyway, you know there can't be a concert anywhere in Philly without Patti LaBelle, so that goes without saying. Hall and Oates would be good, too, to bring the Philly flava. I'd like to see Bruce (duh), They Might Be Giants, the Pixies, Beck, REM, Ben Folds, Franz Ferdinand."
Sherri W. nominated Common, Alicia Keys, Amos Lee and The Killers. Two votes arrived for The Paul Green School of Rock kids.
And, a gentleman who gave his name as ex-Phillies Dickie Thon and Milt Thompson added Radiohead to the fantasy guest list.
"Dreams and fantasies," wrote Judi, "but it all will probably just be one big, massive traffic jam."
Finally, Skippa wished Blinq readers would look at the event positively:
In typical Philly fashion everyone is complaining about this concert instead of embracing thbbe national notoriety it will bring our sometimes "forgotten city". With the political message the concert brings, Geldorf could just as easily chose DC or NYC. We have a very mixed line-up that displays the great diversity in our city, not to mention the young crowd that P-Diddy, 50, and Jay-Z will bring to support the cause. That being said, it would be a crime if The Roots don't play, and with the Stones in the area it would make sense for them to show up. Finally, the almighty Pearl Jam should be jumping all over this cause (only so i can rock out)
Over at The Rittenhouse Review, Jim Capozzola let the acts speak for themselves:
The good news: Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway will play host to one of five Live 8 concerts to be held worldwide (well, not really worldwide) on July 2.
The bad news: Scheduled acts include Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews, Jay-Z, Maroon 5, P. Diddy, Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban, Il Divo, Rob Thomas, the Kaiser Chiefs, 50 Cent, and Sarah MacLachlan.
Riiiight, the Spice Girls aren't political, but Bon Jovi's position on overconsumption is clear: he forced one of his bandmates to go on a hunger diet when he was getting too fat. Is there anyone in the entire world who likes all three of Bon Jovi, 50 Cent, AND Sarah MacLaughlin? African debt relief and timing it with the G8 summit: is this the kind of compelling issue that will find common cause amongst the audience? Ethiopian hunger was the kind of thing that everyone around the world could get around. But debt cancellation, the IMF and World Bank? Pretty arcane stuff for Bon Jovi and 50 Cent fans. See, there's a litmus test to get on stage but to be in the audience you just need a warm body and a few bucks. This means half the artists despise you, but it doesn't matter as long as you're a tool for their interests. And that goes, by the way, no matter whether you agree with their interests or not. This thing has jumped the shark, and people will have fond memories for this event like they have fond memories of the "US Festival" which was supposed to be the next Woodstock back in the day. It's just a bunch of bands on stage, not a unique cultural event, even if it has a name similar to the original unique cultural event.
"Is there anyone in the entire world who likes all three of Bon Jovi, 50 Cent, AND Sarah MacLaughlin?" *raises hand sheepishly* I don't like them all with the same passion; indeed I prefer Nelly and Jay-Z to 50 Cent, if I must rank my interest in big-name rap guys (I'd add Eminem, but Philebrity still has me scared of sounding every bit as white-bread as I happen to be *wink*). I don't like them all for the same reasons. But I do like them all. I'm also more hopeful that your average rock/rap/fill-in-your-genre-here fan is capable of understanding "arcane stuff" like debt relief. Actually, considering recent legal development erasing our protections against predatory lending policies, some of our city residents might be *very* able to understand the importance of international debt relief.... I said something to this effect on my own silly blog: I'm hopeful that the lineup will be expanded, but I plan to very much enjoy the musicians already on the bill!
Call me crazy but should anyone make a point about how Live Aid was a disaster in terms of getting the money to the people in need? Why shuld this be any different.
Am I the only one who sees the irony in this: Live 8 will draw the attention of the G-8 to the plight of Third World countries, but is being performed in a city run like a Third World country itself?
"Ethiopian hunger was the kind of thing that everyone around the world could get around. But debt cancellation, the IMF and World Bank? Pretty arcane stuff for Bon Jovi and 50 Cent fans." I hate to make this statement in this manner but, how many 50 Cents fans even COMPREHEND Ethiopia, the IMF, world hunger, or international debt? Hell, most rap fans can't remember that 2+2 = 4, but they sure as hell can remember the lyrics (such as they are) to a rap performance (sorry, rap isn't music, therefore that 50 Cents noise isn't a song)!
WERE YOU AT THE ORIGINAL LIVE AID? Inquirer reporter David Hiltbrand is looking for concert-goers to talk to. dhiltbrand@phillynews.com
In some cases the world bank has been lending money to countries that cannot afford to pay back and in turn, corporations from this and other countries effectively loot their natural resources and labor when they default. This is tantamount to loan sharking. The fact that most people aren't aware of this and many of the other issues involving the IMF doesn't make it an unworthy cause. How many issues in 60's were met with apathy or ignorance until they were made issues and public opinion was swayed? We need to stop catering to our progressively increasing need for oversimplicity and also actually give an S about other people who haven't been totally starved yet or hit by a natural disaster.