"On 2 July, the curtain will rise on the 'global stage' for what is probably the largest live concert the world has ever seen," says Rolf Meyer, speaker of the Sennheiser Executive Committee. "We are delighted that the Live 8 organizers have put their trust in our products and our technical support for the wireless technology at this unique event. Our network of subsidiaries and experienced partners means that we are in an ideal position to provide on-the-spot support all over the globe." Sennheiser will work with local sound rental companies at each of these events, invest more than 1000 man hours and supply in excess of 1 million Euro worth of equipment to ensure this event is a success. This includes more than 300 channels of Sennheiser wireless microphones, guitar systems and wireless monitoring systems plus over 1000 wired microphones for everything from lead vocals to kick drums.
For the organizers Sir Bob Geldof, Live Aid co-founder Midge Ure - who has just been made an "Officer of the Order of the British Empire" by the Queen - Harvey Goldsmith and Richard Curtis, Live 8 is more than just a rehash of the 1985 Live Aid charity concert: this time, it is not a question of fundraising, but mobilizing people to exert pressure on the governments that will attend the G8 summit. To date, the richest industrial countries have already agreed on debt relief for some of the world's poorest nations. However, it is hoped that more can be achieved - Live 8 regards this as a historic opportunity to agree on more development aid and new trade policies and thus make poverty history once and for all.
This is a vision that has also captured the inspiration of many artistes: the line-up for the Live 8 concert in London, for example, includes Sting, U2, Keane, Robbie Williams, Annie Lennox, Dido, Sir Paul McCartney and Madonna; on stage in Paris, the names include Shakira, Johnny Hallyday, Muse and Youssou N'Dour. The Brandenburg Gate venue will feature A-ha, Herbert Groenemeyer, Die Toten Hosen, Lauryn Hill, Sasha and Wir sind Helden; Rome, in turn, boasts headliners such as Faith Hill, Nek, Tim McGraw and Zucchero. In Philadelphia, Live 8 has attracted artistes and bands such as Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band, Destiny's Child, Rob Thomas, Sarah McLachlan and Stevie Wonder, while Bryan Adams, Simple Plan, Our Lady Peace, Bruce Cockburn and the Barenaked Ladies will all perform in Barrie, Canada. The complete line-ups are featured on the Live 8 website.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
