No speech at Live 8?

Actually, the fourth song was supposed to be "Dancing In The Streets" at least that is what they were practicing according to people in Philly. As for the crowd reaction, I think it is really hard to grasp what it was like by watching videos. According to people that were actually there, BJ garnered one of the best reactions of the day. Of course you could counter that this isn't saying much, due to the lack of good acts, but if BJ sees a great reaction, that will only encourage them to continue doing the basics.

Then they should have scraped either Prayer or IML rather than Dancing in the Streets.
And yes, I will counter that it isn't saying much that BJ had the best reaction of the day. The whole show was a failure really, the bands seemed just as absent as the crowd. It never really picked up.
But as BJ were one of the first bands up, and certainly the first "Giant" to take the stage, it was their job to pump it up and they didn't do it enough, though that responsibility is shared with the crap acts that followed them and turn the crowd off (See Linkin Park...)

Ponrauil

I don't think anything could have pumped that crowd up. Between the technical problems, heat, and the lack of talent, it was doomed from the start.

[quote="Dawn"]I was shocked that he didnt say anything, he usually likes to do his deep and meaningful stuff. I figured that it must have been because he didnt have enough time, but still how long does it take to say one sentence.

Me too dawn.....shocked and dissappoined....for someone to be so opinionated i cant understand why he didnt say anything.....as for his performance... look to me like he was just going through the motions....and for the timing thing....forget it....the london gig went 2 hours over time.....no excuse.

[quote="jovifaith"]This is a good point if London can run 2hrs late then what was Philly getting its knickers in a twist for.

Dawn

The London show wasn't great either. The highlights for me were Pink Flloyd and The Who. I've never seen Pink Flloyd before live and I think it was a great performance. Ian Gilmore (I think that's what he is called) is a really good guitarist, despite his scowling expressions. The bass lines were amplified to a good level and the whole performance had great atmosphere. They've convinced me to listen to some of their stuff, as they've never really appealed to me before. The Who put in a decent performance, but not a great one. I guess they'll never be the same as they were back in the day with Enwistle and Moon, but Who Are You and Won't Get Fooled Again still sounded pretty good. Great band.

As for the other acts, I thought they looked very shabby. Stereophonics were decent muscially but vocally you could hardly make Kelly Jones's words out. REM weren't bad. They did a great version of Everybody Hurts. Didn't see Velvet Revolver but I heard they were just all noise and no quality. U2 were pretty average considering their normal high standards.

I watched the first live aid and I have to say Live 8 doesnt live up to the first one, but then nothing every real does when they try to recreate it.

Dawn

[quote="Dawn"]I watched the first live aid and I have to say Live 8 doesnt live up to the first one, but then nothing every real does when they try to recreate it.

sorry dawn....i have to disagree with you here....as i've seen live aid first time round..... i dont think they've tried to recreate it this time.....big different in both.....different act.....different time.....different generation

Really? I watched them on AOL demand and thought they were fantastic!

I have to agree with Jovifaith. It wasn't supposed to be the same as LiveAid and for all purposes, it was even better. However, 20 years ago the fact that there were 2 concerts simultaneously for the same cause was spectacular. Now, it's not quite as cool anymore. Though, I am blown away by the internet broadcast ... TV will soon be obsolete for big events - who really wants to listen to those teeny boppers at MTV while you can make out the band in the background rocking away *sigh*.

Anyway, it was most definitely equally thrilling - for me at least....