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{{Short description|International series of benefit concerts prior to the G8 summit in 2005}}
{{For|the pair of benefit concerts whose twentieth anniversary Live 8 commemorated|Live Aid}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2014}}
{{infobox music festival
| music_festival_name = Live 8
| image              = [[File:Live8Logo.jpg|230px|Live 8 logo]]
| caption            = Logo
| location           = *[[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]]<br>[[London, England, United Kingdom]]
*[[Palace of Versailles]]<br>[[Versailles, Yvelines|Versailles, Paris, France]]
*[[Berlin Victory Column]]<br>[[Berlin, Germany]] 
*[[Circus Maximus]]<br>[[Rome|Rome, Lazio, Italy]]
*[[Benjamin Franklin Parkway]]<br>[[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States]], 
*[[Park Place (Ontario)|Park Place]]<br>[[Barrie, Ontario, Canada]]
*[[Makuhari Messe]]<br>[[Chiba, Japan]]
*[[Mary Fitzgerald Square]]<br>[[Johannesburg, South Africa|Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa]]
*[[Red Square]]<br>[[Moscow, Russia]]
*[[Eden Project]]<br>[[Cornwall, England, United Kingdom]]
*[[Murrayfield Stadium]]<br>[[Edinburgh|Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom]]
| Participation      = [[Madonna]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], Bob Geldof, [[U2]], [[Bon Jovi]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Duran Duran]]
| founders           = [[Bob Geldof]], [[Midge Ure]]
| years_active       = 2005
| dates              = 2 and 6 July 2005; {{Time ago|Jul 2 2005}}
| genre              = [[Pop music|Pop]]<br />[[Rock music|Rock]]
| website            = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160418155435/http://www.live8live.com/ www.live8live.com]
}}

'''Live 8'''{{efn|
* {{langx|fr|En direct 8}}
* {{langx|de|Live 8}}
* {{langx|it|Vivi 8}}
* {{langx|ja|ライブ8|translit=Raibu 8}}
* {{langx|ru|Прямой эфир 8|translit=Pryamoy efir 8}}}} was a string of [[benefit concert]]s that took place on 2 July 2005, in the [[G8]] states and [[South Africa]]. They were timed to precede the G8 conference and [[31st G8 summit|summit]] held at the [[Gleneagles Hotel]] in [[Auchterarder]], [[Scotland]], from 6–8 July 2005. Both events also coincided with the 20th anniversary of [[Live Aid]]. Run in support of the aims of the UK's [[Make Poverty History]] campaign and the [[Global Call to Action Against Poverty]], ten simultaneous concerts were held on 2 July and one on 6 July. On 7 July, the G8 leaders pledged to double 2004 levels of aid to poor nations from US$25 billion to US$50&nbsp;billion by 2010. Half of the money was to go to Africa. More than 1,000 musicians performed at the concerts, which were broadcast on 182 television networks and 2,000 radio networks. Live 8 was seen by 3 million viewers in the United States according to Nielsen, with an estimated 30 million viewers worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 5, 2005 |title=Reality ruins ‘Live 8’ boasts |url=https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/jul/05/20050705-110500-1044r/ |website=The Washington Times |quote=According to Nielsen, fewer than 3 million watched ABC’s two-hour special on the concerts, which featured Paul McCartney, Bono and the Who, among others.  Meanwhile, the French channel M-6 drew 1.9 million viewers, and two Italian broadcasts of the concerts pulled in a combined 2 million. In Canada, the TV audience numbered 10 million, the Hollywood Reporter said yesterday. The audience in these TV markets — the biggest in the world — to number about 30 million.}}</ref>

[[Live Aid]] organiser [[Bob Geldof]] announced the event on 31 May. Many former Live Aid acts offered their services to the cause. Prior to the official announcement of the event, many news sources referred to the event as '''Live Aid 2'''. However, Geldof and co-organiser [[Midge Ure]] have since explicitly said they do not think of the event as the same as Live Aid. On an episode of [[BBC Two]] music-based comedy panel show ''[[Never Mind the Buzzcocks]]'', which aired on 2 March 2006, [[The Cribs]] frontman [[Ryan Jarman]] said he had texted Geldof to suggest that a "Live Aid 2" would be a good idea. However, after organising the event, Geldof said: "This is not Live Aid 2. These concerts are the start point for The Long Walk To Justice, the one way we can all make our voices heard in unison."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=643010 |title=Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, World, News, Business, Entertainment |work=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=19 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718063302/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=643010 |archive-date=18 July 2006 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Many of the Live 8 backers were also involved in the largely forgotten [[NetAid]] concerts, including Executive Producer [[Jeff Pollack (media consultant)|Jeff Pollack]].

Organisers of Live 8 presented the "Live 8 List" to the world leaders at the Live 8 call that politicians take action to "Make Poverty History".<ref>[http://www.live8live.com/ www.live8list.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050602015259/http://www.live8live.com/ |date=2 June 2005 }}</ref> Names from the list also appeared on the [[Jumbotron|giant television]]s at each concert during the broadcast.

An official Live 8 DVD set was released on 7 November 2005 internationally and 8 November 2005 in the United States.

== Concerts ==
{{Live 8}}

Broadcaster [[Jonathan Ross (television presenter)|Jonathan Ross]] opened the European Live 8 concerts with the words: "It's two o'clock in London on July the 2nd 2005. Hyde Park welcomes the world to Live 8."

There were ten concerts held on 2 July 2005, most of them simultaneously. The first to begin was held at the [[Makuhari Messe]] in Japan, with [[Rize (band)|Rize]] being the first of all the Live 8 performers. During the opening of the [[Philadelphia]] concert outside the city's [[Philadelphia Museum of Art|Museum of Art]], actor [[Will Smith]] led the combined audiences of London, Philadelphia, Berlin, Rome, Paris and Barrie in a synchronised [[Finger snapping|finger snap]], meant to represent the death of a child every three seconds in Africa.<ref name=guardianlive/><ref name=todaylive>The Associated Press (2 July 2005). [http://www.today.com/popculture/rock-rap-reunions-live-8-concerts-wbna8434048 "Rock, rap, reunions at Live 8 concerts"]. [[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]].</ref>

Bob Geldof hosted the event at [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] in London, England where he also performed "[[I Don't Like Mondays (song)|I Don't Like Mondays]]". Special guests appeared throughout the concerts. Then-[[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] [[Kofi Annan]] and [[Microsoft]] co-founder [[Bill Gates]] made speeches at the London show, while former [[President of South Africa|South African President]] [[Nelson Mandela]] addressed the crowd in the Johannesburg venue. Guest presenters, ranging from sports stars to comedians, also introduced acts.<ref name=guardianlive/>

Included in the all-star line-up were [[Pink Floyd]], reunited with former frontman [[Roger Waters]] for the first time in over 24 years. With the death of keyboardist [[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]] in 2008, Live 8 was the final time the band's "classic" lineup performed together. Waters stated the band dedicated "[[Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd song)|Wish You Were Here]]" to their absent former member [[Syd Barrett]], who later died in 2006.<ref>Greene, Andy (7 July 2015). [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pink-floyd-reunited-with-roger-waters-10-years-ago-this-week-20150707 "Pink Floyd Reunited With Roger Waters 10 Years Ago This Week"]. [[Rolling Stone]].</ref>

The final event called [[Edinburgh 50,000 - The Final Push|Edinburgh 50,000 – The Final Push]] was held at [[Murrayfield Stadium]] in [[Edinburgh]], Scotland, on 6 July 2005.<ref>Broadfoot, Julie (7 July 2005). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4658643.stm "Eyewitness: Live 8 The Final Push"]. [[BBC News]].</ref> It featured further performances from some of the artists from the other concerts, and was the closest of the eleven to the actual location of the G8 summit.

== Tickets ==
[[Image:Live_8_tickets2.JPG|thumb|275px|right|A pair of Live 8 tickets]]
Although the concerts were free, 66,500 pairs of tickets for the Hyde Park concert were allocated from 13 to 15 June 2005, to winners of a mobile phone text message competition that began on Monday, 6 June 2005. Entry involved sending the answer to a multiple choice question via a text message costing £1.50. Winners were drawn at random from those who correctly answered the question. Over two million messages were sent during the competition, raising £3 million. The first £1.6 million raised was given to the [[Prince's Trust]], which had to cancel its own annual [[Party in the Park]] concert in Hyde Park that year to make way for Live 8.<ref>MacMillan, Robert (15 June 2005). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/15/AR2005061500818.html "Geldof: I Don't Like EBay"]. ''[[The Washington Post]]''.</ref> According to the Live 8 website, funds raised beyond the £1.6 million "will go to pay for the costs of Live 8, as it is a free event".

Some ticket-winners placed their tickets for sale on internet auction site [[eBay]], and were heavily criticised by the organisers of the event, including Bob Geldof. Initially, eBay defended its decision to allow the auctions to go ahead, stating that there were no laws against the resale of charity concert tickets. The site also offered to make a donation to Live 8 at least equivalent to the fees it would make from the ticket sales. Some people, angered by others seemingly using Live 8 to make money, placed fake bids for millions of pounds for such auctions in an attempt to force the sellers to take them off sale. It was later announced that eBay, under pressure from the British government, the public, as well as Geldof himself, would withdraw all auctions of the tickets.<ref name=tickets>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4090774.stm "eBay prevents Live 8 ticket sales"]. [[BBC News]]. 15 June 2005.</ref>

Similar touting situations arose for the Edinburgh and Canadian shows, and eBay also halted the sales of the tickets.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

== Performances ==
{{refimprove section|date=February 2013}}
{{prose|section|date=February 2013}}
=== London===
{{main|Live 8 concert, London}}

[[File:Madonna @ Live 8 3 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Madonna]] performing at Live 8]]
* [[U2]] and [[Paul McCartney]] opened the London concert, playing "[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (song)|Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]". Later, [[Bono]] added a couple of lines of [[The Beatles]]' "[[Blackbird (Beatles song)|Blackbird]]" to the end of "[[Beautiful Day (song)|Beautiful Day]]".  
* [[Mariah Carey]] performed her hit 1993 single “[[Hero]]” and “[[Make It Happen (Mariah Carey song)|Make It Happen]]”
* [[Travis (band)|Travis]] performed singles "[[Sing (Travis song)|Sing]]", "[[Side (song)|Side]]" and "[[Why Does It Always Rain on Me?]]".
* [[Keane (band)|Keane]] performed singles "[[Somewhere Only We Know]]" and "[[Bedshaped]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/keane/2005/hyde-park-london-england-6bd596ca.html|title=Keane Setlist at Live 8 London|website=setlist.fm|access-date=2018-03-07}}</ref>
* The classic quartet line-up of the [[progressive rock]] band [[Pink Floyd]] ([[Roger Waters]], [[David Gilmour]], [[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]] and [[Nick Mason]]) played together on stage for the first time in 24 years. The band performed the songs "[[Speak to Me]]", "[[Breathe (Pink Floyd song)|Breathe]] / [[Breathe (Reprise)]]", "[[Money (Pink Floyd song)|Money]]", "[[Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd song)|Wish You Were Here]]" and "[[Comfortably Numb]]". They were the only band not to be verbally introduced. This was also the final performance by the full classic line-up as Richard Wright died of cancer in 2008.
* [[Pete Doherty]] joined [[Elton John]] for a version of [[T. Rex (band)|T. Rex]]'s hit "[[Children of the Revolution (song)|Children of the Revolution]]".
* Using much of the musical equipment used by rock band [[Travis (band)|Travis]], who had just left the stage, [[Bob Geldof]] decided on the "spur of the moment" to perform [[the Boomtown Rats]]' hit "[[I Don't Like Mondays]]".
* Before [[Madonna]]'s set, Geldof introduced [[Birhan Woldu]], who was the starving child in the [[CBC News]] report which prompted Geldof to organise [[Live Aid]]. She held hands with Madonna while the singer performed the first verses of "[[Like a Prayer (song)|Like a Prayer]]".
* [[Chris Martin]] included the chorus of [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]]'s song "[[Rockin' All Over the World]]" in the bridge of [[Coldplay]]'s song "[[In My Place]]". Status Quo had opened the 1985 Wembley Live Aid concert with that song. In addition, Coldplay were joined by [[Richard Ashcroft]] to perform "[[Bitter Sweet Symphony]]".
* [[Robbie Williams]] began his set with a cover of [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s "[[We Will Rock You]]". Williams stated in an interview that he "wanted to bring a bit of [[Freddie Mercury|Freddie]] back from the original Live Aid". Williams had often performed the same section of "We Will Rock You" during his own concerts.

===Philadelphia===
{{main|Live 8 concert, Philadelphia}}
* [[Kaiser Chiefs]] opened the show with "[[I Predict a Riot]]", "[[Everyday I Love You Less And Less]]", and "[[Oh My God (Kaiser Chiefs song)|Oh My God]]".
* [[Kanye West]] performed a three-song set with a twenty-five piece string orchestra, opening with a live debut of [[Diamonds From Sierra Leone|his lead single]] for his then forthcoming album ''[[Late Registration]]''. [[Will Smith]] and [[DJ Jazzy Jeff]] can be seen briefly dancing off stage.
* Will Smith led the crowd in a sing-along to the theme song of "[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]".
* Jay-Z and Linkin Park joined forces to sing their mash-up song "[[Numb/Encore]]"
* [[Mayor of Philadelphia|Mayor]] [[John F. Street|John Street]] announced on stage that there were over 1 million spectators in the audience.
* Closing act [[Stevie Wonder]] was joined on stage by [[Matchbox Twenty]] front man [[Rob Thomas (musician)|Rob Thomas]] and [[Maroon 5]] lead singer [[Adam Levine]]. Thomas dueted with him on "[[Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder song)|Higher Ground]]" and Levine on "[[Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours]]". During Wonder's performance, [[American Idol]] judge [[Paula Abdul]] can be seen dancing off stage right.

=== Barrie, Canada ===
{{Main|Live 8 concert, Barrie}}
[[Deep Purple]] made an appearance and performed "[[Highway Star (song)|Highway Star]]", "[[Smoke on the Water]]" and "[[Hush (Billy Joe Royal song)|Hush]]". [[Darryl McDaniels|DMC]] (of [[Run-DMC]]) performed with Elliot Easton of [[The Cars]], and Joey Kramer and Tom Hamilton of [[Aerosmith]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/rapper-dmc-added-to-canadian-live-8-lineup/article22505709/| title=Rapper DMC added to Canadian Live 8 lineup|publisher = [[The Globe and Mail]]|date = June 29, 2005|access-date = 2018-10-12}}</ref> [[The Tragically Hip]] played a set, just before [[Neil Young]] finished off Live 8 in Barrie with "4 Strong Winds", "[[Rockin' in the Free World]]" and "[[O Canada]]".

===Berlin===
{{main|Live 8 concert, Berlin}}
Some of the highlights of the Berlin show included [[Brian Wilson]] who played a set with his band, doing "[[Our Prayer]]"/"[[Gee (The Crows song)|Gee]]", "[[God Only Knows]]", "[[California Girls]]", "[[Good Vibrations]]", and "[[Fun Fun Fun]]", as well as [[Green Day]], having released their political rock opera "[[American Idiot (song)|American Idiot]]" the previous year.

===Moscow===
{{main|Live 8 concert, Moscow}}
[[Agatha Christie (band)|Agatha Christie]], [[Bi-2]], Jango, Dolphin, [[Linda (musician)|Linda]], [[Moral Code X]], [[Red Elvises]], [[Splean]], [[Pet Shop Boys]]

== Separate rally and anti-poverty protest in Edinburgh ==
{{One source|section|date=April 2023}}
On 2 July, the same day as the Live 8 concerts, a rally and protest march was held in central [[Edinburgh]], the nearest major city to the [[Gleneagles, Scotland|Gleneagles]] venue, for the G8 conference later that week. This protest was organised by the [[Make Poverty History]] coalition as part of a series of events ahead of the G8 conference,<ref name=march/> and had already been planned before the announcement of Live 8.

An estimated 225,000 people took part, making it the largest-ever protest in Scotland<ref name=march>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4642053.stm "Thousands flock to poverty march"].2 July 2005.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jeffery |first1=Simon |last2=Tempest |first2=Matthew |date=2005-07-02 |title=200,000 form Edinburgh human chain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jul/02/g8.uk |access-date=2024-02-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and the largest ever anti-poverty protest in the UK.

== Notable absences ==
In the weeks leading up to Live 8, British newspaper ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' began a petition, garnering support for British rock band [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]] to play at the event. Originally offered a 6pm slot, the band already had commitments in Ireland and therefore requested an earlier slot. Their request was rejected by the organisers as there were no available slots.<ref>Colothan, Scott (17 June 2005). [http://www.gigwise.com/news/6698/status-quo-plead-yet-again-to-perform-at-live-8 "STATUS QUO PLEAD YET AGAIN TO PERFORM AT LIVE 8"]. [[Gigwise]].</ref>

There were speculations by the press that English girl group the [[Spice Girls]] would reunite for a Live 8 performance, in what would have been their first appearance as a five-piece since May 1998.<ref>Davies, Hugh (27 May 2005). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1490858/Spice-Girls-to-reunite-for-Live-8-concert.html "Spice Girls to reunite for Live 8 concert"]. ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' (London).</ref> At the Live 8 launch in May, [[Bob Geldof]] confirmed that organisers were trying to get the group to re-form for the event. Ultimately, the Live 8 reunion did not materialise due to a holdout by Spice Girl [[Mel B]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4113814.stm Mel B 'blocking Spice comeback']. [[BBC News]]. 21 June 2005.</ref><ref>Amter, Charlie (22 June 2005). [http://www.eonline.com/news/50106/mel-b-a-maybe-for-live-8 "Mel B a Maybe for Live 8"]. [[E!|E! News]].</ref> During the Hyde Park concert, British comedian [[Peter Kay]] jokingly introduced the Spice Girls while he was introducing [[The Who]].<ref name=guardianlive>Tilden, Imogen (2 July 2005). [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jul/02/live8.g8 "'Welcome to the greatest rock concert in the world'"]. ''[[The Guardian]]'' (London).</ref>

English rock band [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] also declined to participate in the concerts as they were performing at the [[City of Manchester Stadium]] the same evening and the day after. [[Noel Gallagher]] later expressed disapproval that musicians were expected to rally at the convenience of Geldof.<ref name=oasis>Melia, David (17 June 2005). [http://www.gigwise.com/reviews/6688/noel-gallagher-defends-oasis-live-8-no-show "NOEL GALLAGHER DEFENDS OASIS' LIVE 8 NO SHOW"]. [[Gigwise]].</ref> Gallagher was also vocally sceptical about the impact of Live 8, citing his belief that rock stars did not have as much influence over world leaders as the Live 8 organisers may believe.<ref>Smith, David (19 June 2005). [https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jun/19/arts.live8 "Gallagher casts doubt on the value of Live8"]. ''[[The Guardian]]'' (London).</ref>

English rock band [[Radiohead]] also turned down an offer to play at the event.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4070550.stm "Radiohead decline Live 8 request"]. [[BBC News]]. 7 June 2005.</ref>

== Criticism ==

===Lack of racially diverse performers===
The original lineup for the Hyde Park concert faced criticism for having only one non-white artist &ndash; [[Mariah Carey]].<ref name=albarn2/> [[Blur (band)|Blur]] and [[Gorillaz]] frontman [[Damon Albarn]] called the lack of black performers the organisers' "greatest oversight",<ref name=albarn1>Left, Sarah (10 June 2005). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jun/10/g8.live8 "Albarn hits out at 'Anglo Saxon' Live 8"]. [[The Guardian]].</ref> while [[Senegal]]ese musician [[Baaba Maal]] wrote in ''[[The Independent]]'': "I do feel it's very patronising as an African artist that more of us aren't involved."<ref name=albarn2/>

Live 8 organisers subsequently added British R&B singer [[Ms. Dynamite]], US rapper [[Snoop Dogg]] and Senegalese singer [[Youssou N'Dour]] to the Hyde Park lineup in response to the criticism. N'Dour was the only major African artist scheduled to perform at any of the five main concerts. A Live 8 spokesman said that a number of black performers had been approached but were not available to participate<ref name=albarn2>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4079958.stm Live 8 logic attracts criticism]. [[BBC News]]. 10 June 2005.</ref> and that the event would nonetheless feature a "large urban element".<ref name=albarn3>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4079644.stm "Albarn criticises Live 8 concerts"]. [[BBC News]]. 10 June 2005.</ref> Organisers also argued that there were few black British artists who could attract a large global audience, stating that Geldof's intention was to aim for the biggest global stars to ensure media attention and a large television audience.<ref name=albarn2/> A [[Live 8 concert, Johannesburg|Live 8 concert in Johannesburg]] and an [[Live 8 concert, Eden Project|"Africa Calling" concert]] featuring an entirely African lineup at the [[Eden Project]] in [[Cornwall]], were organised following the criticisms.<ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2005/07/200841010618932767.html "Live 8 concerts call for debt relief"]. [[Al Jazeera English]]. 2 July 2005.</ref>

=== Motives and controversy ===
Geldof's motives for organising Live 8 were questioned. TV and radio presenter [[Andy Kershaw]] - who had co-presented Live Aid in 1985 - directed criticisms at Geldof and the motives for Live 8, saying: "I am coming, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Live 8 is as much to do with Geldof showing off his ability to push around presidents and prime ministers as with pointing out the potential of Africa. Indeed, Geldof appears not to be interested in Africa's strengths, only in an Africa on its knees."<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/andy-kershaw-the-myth-of-saint-bob-saviour-of-africa-226087.html Andy Kershaw: The myth of Saint Bob, saviour of Africa]. ''[[The Independent]]''. 16 June 2005.</ref> Rashod Ollison of ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' echoed Kershaw's criticisms, calling the event a "ravenous orgy of celebrity ego trips".<ref name=baltimore>Ollison, Rashod D. (4 July 2005). [https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/07/04/did-egos-stifle-live-8-message/ "Did egos stifle Live 8 message?"]. ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]''.</ref> Geldof's approach, of pressuring G8 leaders to improve aid, forgive debt and ease trade restrictions in Africa, was questioned by John O'Shea, chief executive of international aid charity Goal. O'Shea was concerned that "Live 8 overlooked the need to tackle Africa's corrupt regimes and establish a UN peacekeeping army in Darfur, the Congo and northern Uganda."<ref name="logic">{{cite news |title=Live 8 logic attracts criticism |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4079958.stm |access-date=3 September 2019 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC UK |date=10 June 2005}}</ref>

The organisers were criticised for using Africa to revive the careers of ageing rock stars more than about helping the poor in Africa.<ref name="logic" /> The lineup for the [[Live 8 concert, Barrie|Canada Live 8]] concert in particular, was criticised for being "out of touch" and filled with "musical has-beens".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.ca/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050622.wlive8_22/BNStory/Entertainment/|title=Live 8 dismisses criticism about grizzled lineup|access-date=12 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050625015514/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050622.wlive8_22/BNStory/Entertainment/|archive-date=25 June 2005}}</ref> 

For the Edinburgh concert, Geldof called for children to "give up home and school for a week" to join supporters in a march (entitled The Long Walk to Justice) on 6 July, the start of the G8 summit, which drew the ire of teachers and local residents.<ref name="logic" /> Furthermore, the Live 8 concert's timing coincided with the long planned [[Make Poverty History]] march in Edinburgh.

Damon Albarn suggested that the performers should put pressure on their [[record label]]s to pay "some kind of tariff" from the increased record sales that would come from playing at the event, so as to "genuinely show this is an altruistic act and that there is no self-gain in it".<ref name=albarn3/> [[Pink Floyd]]'s guitarist [[David Gilmour]] announced that he would donate the profits from the increased sales in Pink Floyd's [[Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd|''Echoes'']] album to charity, stating: "Though the main objective has been to raise consciousness and put pressure on the [[G8]] leaders, I will not profit from the concert. This is money that should be used to save lives."<ref>Byrne, Ciar (4 July 2005). [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/pink-floyd-album-sales-soar-but-no-money-for-gilmour-296904.html "Pink Floyd album sales soar but no money for Gilmour"]. ''[[The Independent]]''.</ref>

Criticism was levelled at the [[Live 8 concert, Philadelphia|Philadelphia Live 8 concert]], when it was revealed that while the performers received no monetary compensation for their participation, they were given gift bags containing designer gifts worth about $12,000. The gifts included $2,000 [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson guitars]], $3,500 [[Hugo Boss]] suits and $6,000 Bertolucci watches.<ref name=baltimore/>

=== Uncensored broadcasts ===
Despite the show being broadcast before the [[Watershed (broadcasting)|watershed]] in the United Kingdom, there was no attempt at censorship by the [[BBC]]. The network came under fire for its coverage of the Live 8 concerts due to the amount of live swearing by several performers that was broadcast before the watershed. [[Madonna]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Razorlight]], [[Green Day]], [[U2]] and [[Velvet Revolver]] were also criticised for their use of foul language during their performances.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4732712.stm "BBC rapped over Live 8 swearing"]. ''[[BBC News]]'' (London).</ref> An investigation by the UK media regulator [[Ofcom]] ruled that television audiences were subjected to "the most offensive language" and demanded that the BBC issue an on-air apology.<ref>Singh, Anita (9 April 2008). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1584412/BBC-forced-to-apologise-on-air-over-foul-language-on-Live-Earth.html "BBC forced to apologise on-air over foul language on Live Earth"]. ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' (London).</ref>

In the United States, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] drew criticism from the [[Parents Television Council]] when its [[broadcast delay|delayed]] airing of the Hyde Park concert highlights failed to censor [[The Who]]'s performance of "[[Who Are You (The Who song)|Who Are You]]" which contained the lyric, "Who the fuck are you?". ABC responded: "Unfortunately, one inappropriate phrase sung by one performer was initially missed and made it into the East Coast network feed. It was subsequently edited out of the West Coast feed."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4685415.stm Live 8 swearing angers US parents]. BBC News, 15 July 2005.</ref>

=== Other ===
[[MTV]] and [[VH1]] were criticised for their coverage of the Live 8 concerts. Media critics and viewers complained that the networks focused too little on the actual musical performances, pointing to the frequent switching between artists and concerts, and cutting to commercials, interviews or "educational segments" while bands were still performing. The [[VJ (media personality)|VJs]] also received criticism for frequently talking over the performances. The following weekend, MTV and VH1 re-aired ten commercial-free hours of music performances from the Live 8 concerts in response to the criticism.<ref>Ryan, Maureen (10 July 2005). [https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/07/10/mtv-defends-live-8-coverage/ "MTV defends Live 8 coverage"]. [[Chicago Tribune]].</ref><ref>Welsh, James (8 July 2005). [http://www.digitalspy.com/media/news/a22412/mtv-vh1-in-us-to-re-air-live-8-concerts/ "MTV, VH1 in US to re-air Live 8 concerts"]. [[Digital Spy]].</ref>

The London concert also received criticism when alcohol was outlawed for concertgoers, but made available for the VIPs.<ref>Baracaia, Alexa (29 June 2005). [https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/pop-but-no-alcohol-in-the-park-7296522.html "Pop, but no alcohol in the park"]. ''[[London Evening Standard]]''.</ref>

== Legacy ==
On 2 July 2006, [[BBC One]], [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] and [[MTV]] broadcast ''Live 8: What a Difference a Day Makes''. In the UK, the special was 60 minutes as compared to the U.S. version on MTV, which was 90 minutes long. The special was aired on MTV at 07:30 Eastern time, giving nearly no chance for viewers to be made aware of the broadcast. Instead of airing the special late at night, MTV aired their normal broadcasting schedule for Sundays, again adding to the criticism of MTV's lack of interest in Live 8.

The Live 8 on AOL worldwide multi-feed webcast by America Online won the first [[Emmy Award]] for content delivered via the Internet, cellphones, and iPods ("Broadband award"). Live 8 on AOL was chosen as the winner out of 74 entrants.<ref>{{cite web |title="LIVE 8 ON AOL" WINS FIRST BROADBAND EMMYHONORING PROGRAMS FOR INTERNET, CELLPHONES, PDAs {{!}} The Emmy Awards |url=http://emmyonline.com/day_33rd_creative_live8 |website=emmyonline.com |publisher=The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=3 September 2019 |location=New York, New York |date=24 April 2006 |archive-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903083000/http://emmyonline.com/day_33rd_creative_live8 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In a report issued in June 2006, the G8 have reportedly not lived up to their promises set in 2005. According to DATA, the US, U.K., Italy, and France increased their development-assistance pledges and actual aid to Africa in 2005, but Germany maintained its former level of contribution and Canada decreased aid in 2005. In general, the G8 is moving slowly in the effort to meet its promises.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535470/20060629/u2.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229163149/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535470/20060629/u2.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 February 2008 |title=Live 8, One Year Later: Goals Not Met |publisher=MTV News |access-date=19 December 2010}}</ref>

Some consider Live 8 to be a success, including Bob Geldof himself.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/sep/12/hearafrica05.development |title=Three months ago Bob Geldof declared Live 8 had achieved its aim. But what really happened next? |first=Oliver |last=Burkeman |date=13 September 2005 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian News and Media]] |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |oclc=60623878 |access-date=28 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528215117/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/sep/12/hearafrica05.development |archive-date=28 May 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref> However, others including the [[World Socialist Web Site]] dismissed Live 8 as a "public relations stunt" for G8 leaders and multinational corporations, due to the disparity between the rhetoric of the events and the actual efforts made after the events in reducing poverty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jul2005/live-j11.shtml |title=Live 8: Who organised the PR campaign for Blair and Bush? |date=11 July 2005 |publisher=Wsws.org |access-date=19 December 2010}}</ref> Geldof also believes that public attention was quickly diverted by the [[7 July 2005 London bombings|London bombings]] on 7 July 2005, the day after Live 8 Edinburgh which was the final concert in the series.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5128344.stm | work=BBC News | title=Did Live 8 make a difference? | date=2 July 2006| access-date=11 May 2010 | first=Ian | last=Youngs}}</ref>

== Home video ==
=== Weekly charts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for ''Live 8''
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2005–2006)
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
|-
{{album chart|AustriaMV|1|date=18-11-2005|rowheader=yes|access-date=1 February 2021}}
|-
!scope="row"|Danish Music DVD ([[Hitlisten]])<ref name="IFPI-DK">{{cite web|url=http://www.hitlisterne.dk/lister.asp?w=47&y=2005&list=v10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005224958/http://www.hitlisterne.dk/lister.asp?w=47&y=2005&list=v10|archive-date=5 October 2012|url-status=dead|title=Musik-DVD Top 10 – Uge 47 – 2005|publisher=[[IFPI Danmark]]|language=da|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
|1
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand Music DVD ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref name="Scapolo">{{cite book|first=Dean|last=Scapolo|title=The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006|publisher=Maurienne House|year=2007|isbn=978-1-877443-00-8}}</ref>
|1
|-
!scope="row"|Norwegian Music DVD ([[VG-lista]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lista.vg.no/liste/dvd-audio/10/dato/2005/uke/47|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329020719/http://lista.vg.no/liste/dvd-audio/10/dato/2005/uke/47|archive-date=29 March 2016|url-status=dead|title=Topp 10 DVD Audio – Uke 47, 2005|publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI Norway]]|language=no|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
|2
|-
!scope="row"|Portuguese Music DVD ([[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|AFP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/200546.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119155715/http://artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/200546.htm|archive-date=19 November 2010|url-status=dead|title=Top 30 DVD's Musicais – Semana 46 de 2005|publisher=[[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa]]|language=pt|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
|1
|-
!scope="row"|Spanish Music DVD ([[Productores de Música de España|PROMUSICAE]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.promusicae.es/listas/semana/837-dvd-semana-45-2005|title=Top 20 DVD Musical – Lista de los titulos mas vendidos del 07.11.05 al 13.11.05|publisher=[[Productores de Música de España]]|language=es|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
|2
|-
{{album chart|SwedenMV|2|year=2005|week=46|rowheader=yes|access-date=1 February 2021}}
|}

=== Certifications ===
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Live 8''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Various Artists|title=Live 8 |award=Platinum|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|type=video|access-date=17 December 2021|note=Australian compilation}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=2006|artist=Various Artists|title=Live 8 Toronto|note=Live 8 – Barrie/Toronto|access-date=1 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=Canada|award=Diamond|number=2|certyear=2006|artist=Various Artists|title=Live 8|note=Live 8 – International|access-date=1 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=Denmark|award=Platinum|certyear=2005|note=Live 8 – International|certref=<ref name="IFPI-DK"/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=France|award=Gold|certyear=2005|certmonth=11|artist=Compilation|title=Live 8 International|note=Live 8 – International|access-date=1 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=France|award=Platinum|certyear=2005|certmonth=11|artist=Compilation|title=Live 8 Paris|note=Live 8 – Paris|access-date=1 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=Germany|award=Platinum|certyear=2005|artist=Diverse|title=Live 8|note=Live 8 – International|access-date=1 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=Ireland|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2005|note=Live 8 – Rome|access-date=1 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2006|note=Live 8 – International|certref=<ref name="Scapolo"/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=Portugal|award=Platinum|certyear=2006|note=Live 8 – International|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/200630.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120020709/http://artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/200630.htm|archive-date=20 November 2010|url-status=dead|title=Top 30 DVD's Musicais – Semana 30 de 2006|publisher=[[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa]]|language=pt|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=Spain|award=Gold|certyear=2005|note=Live 8 – International|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.promusicae.es/listas/semana/838-dvd-semana-46-2005|title=Top 20 DVD Musical – Lista de los titulos mas vendidos del 14.11.05 al 20.11.05|publisher=[[Productores de Música de España]]|language=es|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=Switzerland|award=Platinum|certyear=2005|artist=Diverse Interpreten|title=Live 8 - One Day - One Concert - One World|note=Live 8 – International|access-date=1 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2013|certmonth=07|artist=Various Artists|title=Live 8 - July 2Nd 2005|note=Live 8 – International|access-date=1 February 2021|id=9445-1509-5}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=video|relyear=2005|relmonth=11|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=9|certyear=2005|certmonth=12|artist=Various|title=Live 8|note=Live 8 – International|access-date=1 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Rock music}}
*[[List of historic rock festivals]]
* [[List of Live 8 artists]]
* [[Live Aid]]
* [[Live Earth]]
* [[Philadelphia Freedom Concert]]
* [[G8 (forum)|G8]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Category commons}}

{{Live 8 concerts}}
{{Rock festivals}}
{{U2}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Live 8]]
[[Category:2005 in economic history]]
[[Category:Benefit concerts]]
[[Category:July 2005]]
[[Category:Music festivals established in 2005]]
[[Category:Pop music festivals]]