Live8
So I was one of the saddos who watched every second of Live8.. wishing I was there.
Decided to write a mini review, or just what I thought of every performance.
U2
They really bore me and I can say this about their whole set... even the intro with McCartney didn't really excite me BUT I did think it was a great thing to do, to perform a song that's never been performed live before. And the brass band dressed as the St Pepper Beatles was a stroke of genius. I like a couple of the U2 tracks but still... them singing really doesn’t interest me. Also Bono and his little speeches are really pretentious, no matter how true what he's saying is.
Coldplay
They were okay, just typically Coldplay.. it improved when Ashcroft came out and then I got shivers. Although Chris brought him out as "the best vocalist in the world" or something, I think that was just in the heat of the moment and Chris' excitement and could have been quickly forgotten. They're well suited to events like this.
Andy & Lou (Little Britain)
Meh... I've grown to hate Little Britain. The intro for Elton using song titles was quite clever though.
Elton
Pretty upbeat set, I only remember bits because I think I went to the toilet or something. But I saw all of Pete Doherty's song, which was great. With his little experimentation with the glam rock eye make-up. I think he performed the song very well.. he looked a bit out of it as usual but bless him, he came through for something important. It was great.
Dido
Her voice seemed a bit weak but then that's kinda how she sings anyway. When Youssou N'Dour came out I was REALLY happy because I KNEW at some point they were gonna sing 7 seconds. I've always loved that song anyway, and to see someone other than Neneh Cherry perform it was good. I think Dido did a really good job of it and it fitted the cause aswell.
Stereophonics
Failed to impress me yet again. They've just sounded like an Oasis tribute band in my eyes. They seem to be changing for trends rather than personal growth. But then I don't know that much about them because I've never really been a fan. Although I didn't used to mind them.
Ricky Gervais
I've been liking all his piss taking of the whole event. Made it a bit more lighthearted and not so tragic. And when he gave into the boos and performed 'the dance' I nearly fell off my chair laughing. I think my mum actually spat out some of her tea. 3 billion people saw that.. I think that's gonna boost the ratings of his TV shows. Good on him. His banter with the sound check man made me chuckle too.
R.E.M
Always thought they were pretty average. Don't think they brought that much to the event... except for some wonder about why the hell Michael had that silly thing across his face. Maybe he was just hiding some flaky skin.
Ms. Dynamite
I think a Marley song had to be sung at some point. Redemption Song was probably one of the best choices and I think she did a pretty good job of it. On the whole she did well considering she's been away for quite a while.
Keane
Not really remembering much from this performance. Probably because of how boring it probably was. But well done to them for getting themselves up there.
Travis
I didn't get to see much of them because of various happenings of the day but what I saw was just Travis. Very good songs, performed perfectly. Pretty safe in terms of sticking to the plot.
Boomtown Rats
Bob had to get up and sing that song.. it just tied it all together. Much needed.
Annie Lennox
Good performer but these days something's just not right. She seems to go on and on for ages and it got pretty boring.
UB40
Boring. I remember their songs sounding better on the radio. They don't seem great as a live band and alot of it was cringe worthy.
Snoop Dog
One of the best performances of the day. A welcome break from alot of the older or more rock based bands. Got everyone being danceier and lifted the mood.
Razorlight
I don't remember much from this. Nothing great happening anyway. They performed like they do. I remember Johnny taking his shirt off and climbing on and off stage though. If that's anything to go by.
Madonna
Brilliant performance. My uncle (who's not actually my uncle) was round though and he kept going on about the dancers.. calling then woofters. Yeah because he could break dance, body pop and spin on his head without killing himself. Anyways, the choir was great, her voice was sounding great and she performed very well. Ending on a fitting song.
Bringing out the girl from the old campaign video while Madonna was on and Bob's little speech about "don't tell us it doesn't work" was fantastic.
Snow Patrol
Although many people don't like them and they can be seen as boring. I love Snow Patrol. I missed most of the set due to family around me not shutting up. But I managed to see a bit. My dad was impressed too. Oh and the lead singer is GORGEOUS. Thank you.
The Killers
So annoying they only got to play one song. As soon as they start getting comfortable and the crowd start warming to them it's time to go. They picked a great song though and performed it very well. Liking the white suits aswell.
Joss Stone
She sounded great as usual.. not much else to say really.
Scissor Sisters
I missed most of and can't remember any of their performance. I regard this as a good thing because I can't stand them.
Velvet Revolver
"The best band I've seen on so far" said my dad. Dunno about that but they were pretty good. Watching the photographers scramble for pictures of Slash made my night though.. and the way he just turned away from them and walked off as if to say "nah.. none of you are having one" only to return and strike a pose. I'm not sure I liked the singer during the performance but on the whole they were very good.
Lenny Henry
His remarks about the Americans thinking he was Gary Coleman had me in stitches and then my dad saying the phrase "whatcho talkin' 'bout Willis" set it off. Half the time I don't think Henry is very funny, but he can have his moments.
Sting
It was a good idea to do the same songs as last time I think.. although I can't remember if he sang Fragile last time and this time I missed him... and that's the only one of his songs I like.
Dawn French
She can be a very funny lady. Although tonight, I don't think she was that funny.
Mariah Carey
She has a very beautiful voice.. till she starts that screaming stuff. But I think she managed to leave that out tonight. She's not someone I listen to but I don't mind her music, I actually quite like her new single. I think she did a pretty good performance and bringing on the African Children's Choir was adorable. She did look mighty sluty though.. I thought that wasn't the best dress for this type of event but whatever floats your boat.
Robbie Williams
Very very good performance. Really got the crowd going. And when the crowd was singing it was brilliant. I'm not really a Robbie fan but I know that he is good at what he does in terms of showman ship. And I do like a few of his songs. It was great that he started with We Will Rock You. I have to say I knew that was coming because it would have been a good way to get everyone going. I think if they showed that part to any of the other countries involved they might have been quite jealous of the fun we were having here. When he sat down at the front of the stage I didn't think he was gonna be able to get back up again.
Peter Kay
He made the night complete for me. From talking to Jonathon Ross in the little pod to being a pest on the stage. And his "are you sober?" comment to the sound check man. Brilliant. And THEN to top it all off.. the song. God help us all if the other countries saw that. They would have been thinking we were all mad, especially the way everyone was singing along. I hated it when that was out as a single and being played everywhere, but since it's had a big break from being pounded out it was ok. But for me when the crowd was singing THAT song it was the defining moment of everyone coming together. I was quite a special moment even though it was funny.
The Who
Brilliant song to open with, they were very very good. Bit disappointed they didn't sing My Generation or Pinball Wizard because I thought those were the one's everyone would know and could sing along to but never mind. My dad was very happy with their performance though. He was beaming ear to ear... but that might have been the excitement waiting for Floyd.
Pink Floyd
We were all sat down with dinner and drinks ready for this one. There was a rush to the kitchen to grab plates and get back in time before they came on. My dad was very very happy. He's been waiting for the day to see them all together live again. 24 years since they played together and 30 years since my dad had seen them playing together. I was a little bit disappointed that they didn't sing any of Another Brick In The Wall but VERY happy that they did Money. Of course they would have had to sing Money.. that was a given. But it was still fantastic and was also relevant. It was quite a touching performance and who knows, maybe the start of something getting fixed between them. Either way it was great to watch them and to see fans in the crowd getting quite emotional and singing along.
Paul McCartney
I wasn't too sure about the thing with George Michael. I like George but still... it seems odd, I dunno why. Helter Skelter.. I wanted to cry when that started. If anything should have got the crowd fired up it should have been that. But I'm not sure it did that good of a job. Other than that I thought the performances by Paul were a bit average.... Till Hey Jude, an anthem. That was a great performance and an obvious one to end on where everyone could come out and have a sing along to the na's, aswell as the crowd. I think that's the point everyone at home was wishing they had been there for the day.
Hehe look who was in the crowd:
<3