Geldof's U-turn over African stars
Rick in Oz
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Geldof's U-turn over Live 8 snub to African stars
08:17am 16th June 2005
Bob Geldof always insisted that no African acts were big enough to perform
at the Live 8 concert.
But in the face of mounting criticism, he has changed his mind and given
them a show all of their own.
He has enrolled former Genesis star Peter Gabriel, Ultravox singer Midge Ure
and African singer Youssou N'Dour to organise Africa Calling.
The show will be held at the Eden Project in Cornwall at the same time as
Geldof's Live 8 concerts in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Tokyo, Toronto and
Philadelphia on July 2.
The organisers hope it will silence critics who rounded on Geldof when he
declared African bands could not compete with artists such as Madonna, Sir
Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and U2 who attract global audiences.
He argued that having big crowd pleasers on stage would attract more
attention to the problem of poverty in Africa.
He also claimed Live 8 "is not Womad", the world music festival founded by
Gabriel. Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn, BBC Radio 3 DJ Andy
Kershaw and the Senegalese star Baaba Maal were among those upset at the
lack of African artists on the Live 8 bill.
But if Geldof was hoping to put an end to the backbiting with the new show
he will be disappointed.
'Token black concert'
Some African critics are aggrieved at making do with a smaller 'token black'
concert 200 miles away from the real showstopper in London.
Lester Holloway, editor of the black news website Blink, summed up the mood.
"This is really a terribly token gesture," he said.
"Only a couple of days ago, Geldof said he didn't want Live8 to be like the
world music festival Womad, and now that he realised his comment brought a
bit of a cloud over things, that's exactly what is happening.
"The irony is that all the white acts will be playing in London, the most
multi-cultural city in Europe, while all the black acts will be in Cornwall,
where black people are very much in the minority."
Another concert, also featuring African musicians, is planned for
Johannesburg. Peter Gabriel, 55, said he had 'talked at some length' with
Geldof about the idea of Africa Calling.
"I understand his criteria of trying to keep the largest audience around the
world switched on and looking at issues about Africa through the artists
selling the most records," he said.
"I would have done it a different way - I think it's important to be seen to
be allowing the voices of Africa to be heard directly.
"A lot of artists don't feel this is a perfect situation, but respect the
aims and goals. It's a difficult enough job trying to do what they want to
do."
The staging of Africa Calling is an apparent turn-around for Geldof.
Last week, his spokesman said: "Bob Geldof's intention was to get
headlinegrabbing shows full of people who fill stadiums and arenas. This is
not Womad. We are not doing an arts festival."
The Live 8 concert line-up raised eyebrows as no leading British black acts,
such as Jamelia, Beverley Knight, Ms Dynamite, Dizzee Rascal and Lemar were
included. Sade was the only black artist to perform at the 1985 Live Aid
concert at Wembley Stadium.
African artists' representatives have been queuing to vent their frustration
at being left out.
Island Records founder Chris Blackwell said: "It's a great thing for Africa,
but they should have African artists. My experience of working with African
artists such as Baaba Maal is they put back into their community what they
earn. The exposure would be great for them."
Jo Ashbridge, owner of UK-based Wrasse records, added: "The British public
have become far more wide-ranging in their tastes in the last 20 years.
"But a new Live Aid has come along and it is as if nothing has changed. It's
like some sort of old school club, Bob Geldof and his mates."