The art of the possible
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir Bob Geldof has worked wonders in getting the Live 8 concert for Africa organised for London on 2 July. But he rightly faces accusations of adopting a patronising attitude to African musicians, following an oddly inappropriate dismissal of the need to include more in the line-up.
Sir Bob Geldof has worked wonders in getting the Live 8 concert for Africa organised for London on 2 July. But he rightly faces accusations of adopting a patronising attitude to African musicians, following an oddly inappropriate dismissal of the need to include more in the line-up.
The idea that none of them is a big enough "global superstar" to warrant inclusion on the stage in Hyde Park, as the events organisers put it, is patently absurd. Without wishing to denigrate any of the more faded attractions on offer by name, this newspaper suggests that artists of the calibre of Baaba Maal of Senegal or Rachid Taha of Algeria should easily have qualified as "big" enough names to warrant an invitation to London.
Twenty years ago, Geldof laid into Western leaders at the 1985 Live Aid concert for showing a parochial, short-sighted attitude to Africa. With only one African featuring in the Live 8 line-up, he lays himself open to similar accusations. Time is running short. With only four weeks to go before the event, he needs to get on the telephone fast and book some more African stars. If not, needless criticism is going to cloud his achievement.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments