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Original poster

Is it just me or is Live 8 not talked about?

66 replies

KaydenJayden · 14/07/2025 07:49

I’ve got really emotional watching the Live Aid concert this weekend - the acts were excellent- I’m very nostalgic for the summer of 1985.

But we’re now as far away from the ‘Live 8’ concert in July 2005 as that was from Live Aid in 1985 - but no one seems to talk about Live 8? The only memory I’ve got of Live 8 is Dido being flown in to do her bit - I was cleaning my flat while listening to Radio 1 (I think)

OP posts:
HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 14/07/2025 13:24

It was a bit shit. I watched some of it on the telly and remember some commentator/radio 1 DJ person saying something along the lines of ‘yeah wow, can’t wait to get together and do it again in another 20 years’ and me and DH looking at each other thinking ‘did she just say that’ (when obviously the point was to eradicate poverty so that the event wouldn’t be needed).

Squidgemoon · 14/07/2025 13:22

There were some great acts, I remember REM and The Killers being really good in the afternoon. Richard Ashcroft came on and did Bittersweet Symphony with Coldplay which 18-year-old me thought was fantastic. Robbie Williams wasn’t really my sort of thing but I do remember he did a great set, really got the crowd going.

WondererWanderer · 14/07/2025 13:21

RoxytheRexy · 14/07/2025 12:22

It’s probably because it was shit

This

Needmorelego · 14/07/2025 13:20

TheBuffetInspector · 14/07/2025 12:25

No. GB holding the Olympics was. The celebrations.

Nothing was so important that it was overshadowed though.

Perspective and love to all involved.

Show quote history

Live 8 was the weekend and the Olympic announcement was on the Wednesday so London was in "celebration" mood.
Then on the Thursday the bombs happened so everything changed.

Original poster
KaydenJayden · 14/07/2025 13:19

BoatsAndHoes · 14/07/2025 13:12

Wasn't there some sort of text lottery to get tickets?

I don’t recall this tbh or the Pink Floyd thing for that matter!

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ThatDaringEagle · 14/07/2025 13:19

It may have been underwhelming but there were some good acts at Live8 nonetheless,e.g. this is still my favourite version of this song since live 8

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=fPC4vSu0oC8&si=jnFqur5oUIV-GYfh

ThatDaringEagle · 14/07/2025 13:18

It may have been underwhelming but there were some good acts at Live8 nonetheless,e.g. this is still my favourite version of this song since for instance...

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=RxIKH8e6cx4&si=aEULu-Moo8bCAiKL

Original poster
KaydenJayden · 14/07/2025 13:18

Faceonthewrongfoot · 14/07/2025 13:14

I went to Live 8 - but not the main concert, they had a bit just outside that you could get cheap tickets for and they played the music on big screens/speakers. I can barely remember who played, but I do remember there was a ban on alcohol, you couldn't even buy it and they searched people before they went in - people went to incredible lengths to smuggle alcohol in! Bottles of wine inside loaves of bread was my favourite that I saw.

Blimey ! Was there a similar ban for Live Aid?

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HappyNewTaxYear · 14/07/2025 13:16

KaydenJayden · 14/07/2025 07:49

I’ve got really emotional watching the Live Aid concert this weekend - the acts were excellent- I’m very nostalgic for the summer of 1985.

But we’re now as far away from the ‘Live 8’ concert in July 2005 as that was from Live Aid in 1985 - but no one seems to talk about Live 8? The only memory I’ve got of Live 8 is Dido being flown in to do her bit - I was cleaning my flat while listening to Radio 1 (I think)

That’s because it was rubbish

Faceonthewrongfoot · 14/07/2025 13:14

I went to Live 8 - but not the main concert, they had a bit just outside that you could get cheap tickets for and they played the music on big screens/speakers. I can barely remember who played, but I do remember there was a ban on alcohol, you couldn't even buy it and they searched people before they went in - people went to incredible lengths to smuggle alcohol in! Bottles of wine inside loaves of bread was my favourite that I saw.

EverardDeTroyes · 14/07/2025 13:12

I've got to admit, I only heard of Live 8 a few days ago when I watched the 3 part documentary on Live Aid. I'm old enough to have been an adult in 1985 so no excuse really.

BoatsAndHoes · 14/07/2025 13:12

Wasn't there some sort of text lottery to get tickets?

TerrierTamer · 14/07/2025 13:11

I would have been 18 at the time, but I have absolutely no recollection of it being a thing, but maybe that's because it probably wouldn't have been my thing, if Dido and Robbie were two of the biggest stars on the lineup!

feellikeanalien · 14/07/2025 13:11

I do remember watching something that Pink Floyd were playing at because Roger Waters and David Gilmour were actually on stage together. That was the only reason I watched and I didn't remember that it was called Live 8.

sonjadog · 14/07/2025 13:10

I remember watching Live Aid on tv. I think because something like it had never been done before it made it extraordinary and magical. That feeling can’t be recreated after the first time, and global events are more common now.

Icepop79 · 14/07/2025 13:10

I think I went to somewhere like Hyde Park to watch it on a big screen..?
it was underwhelming.
And I agree, 7/7 completely overshadowed what talk there had been about it.

yeesh · 14/07/2025 13:10

Never heard of live 8 tbh

Squidgemoon · 14/07/2025 13:10

I went to Live 8 and had a brilliant time. It just didn’t have the same impact though I agree.

HRTQueen · 14/07/2025 13:09

It was a bit rubbish in compression, no great standout performances like Queen or anything that was particularly memorable

I was there and enjoyed it, Snoop Dogg was great but it was nothing like Live Aid

RaininSummer · 14/07/2025 13:08

I dont remember this event at all. Surely I must have heard of it at the time but no recollection now.

Original poster
KaydenJayden · 14/07/2025 13:07

Live 8 had the slogan

Make Poverty History with those bracelets

OP posts:
Original poster
KaydenJayden · 14/07/2025 13:06

MyUmberSeal · 14/07/2025 12:36

It was a naff attempt at recreating some of the magic and charity momentum that the actual Live Aid event had. It didn’t work and it’s wasn’t that same, so people have forgotten.

I’d agree with this

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Original poster
KaydenJayden · 14/07/2025 13:03

KrisAkabusi · 14/07/2025 12:58

It was nowhere near as big and had no lasting impact. Why would it be talked about?

I didn’t actually watch the original - so didn’t realise tbh that it wasn’t as big

from what I’ve read though the event took place in more countries than Live Aid

OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 14/07/2025 12:58

It was nowhere near as big and had no lasting impact. Why would it be talked about?

ZoraBennett · 14/07/2025 12:56

the80sweregreat · 14/07/2025 12:53

My friend went and she said it only livened up when Robbie Williams came on.
The other live aid song is barely played at Christmas time either! People seem to like the original one more.

Yes! Robbie was great - it was a bit dull until then!