Latest news with #BandAid
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘They are c***s' - Bob Geldof hits out against Elon Musk and cuts to US aid at St Anne's Park gig
Geldof said the Trump administration 'declared a war on the weakest, poorest, most vulnerable people on our planet. They are c***s'. He was speaking at the Rewind Festival at St Anne's Park with The Boomtown Rats. During the gig, Geldof invited onstage his long-time friend, Midge Ure, co-writer of the Band Aid hit, Do They Know It's Christmas? Geldof and Ure organised Live Aid in 1984 to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia and raised hundreds of millions of dollars. "We only wrote one song together, but it turned out to be the biggest selling record in British history,' Geldof told the crowd. Geldof then hit out against Elon Musk, who left the Trump administration and his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) this week, a brand new agency that was tasked with overhauling US government spending. 'A couple of Irish singers have been going around the world this week, Bruce in London, Bono in LA and us here, and all of us have said the same thing, that the strongest nation in the world, the most powerful man on the planet, and the richest ever human being in the history of the world, on the first of February 2025 declared a war on the weakest, poorest, most vulnerable people on our planet. They are c***s. "When that f******g hedge-trimming, catatonic f*****g ketamine fuelled Musk decided that he would cut US aid, food, medicine, since that moment he was wielding his hedge-trimmer 300,000 of the poorest people in the world have died because of that f**k.' President Donald Trump ordered a spending freeze on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in January, and has been operating at sharply reduced capacity since. It was reported that food rations that could supply 3.5 million people for a month are mouldering in warehouses around the world because of the US aid cuts and risk becoming unusable. Food rations that could supply 3.5 million people for a month are mouldering in warehouses around the world because of U.S. aid cuts and risk becoming unusable, according to five people familiar with the situation. The food stocks have been stuck inside four U.S. government warehouses since the Trump administration's decision in January to cut global aid programmes, according to three people who previously worked at the U.S. Agency for International Development and two sources from other aid organisations. ADVERTISEMENT Some stocks that are due to expire as early as July are likely to be destroyed, either by incineration, using them as animal feed or disposing of them in other ways, two of the sources said. The warehouses, which are run by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), contain between 60,000 to 66,000 metric tonnes of food, sourced from American farmers and manufacturers, the five people said. An undated inventory list for the warehouses - which are located in Djibouti, South Africa, Dubai and Houston - stated that they contained more than 66,000 tonnes of commodities, including high-energy biscuits, vegetable oil and fortified grains. Meanwhile, two weeks ago singer Bruce Springsteen told the crowd at his Manchester gig that Trump was running a 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.' Trump responded by calling the Boss a 'dried-out prune of a rocker'. Also speaking this month, U2 frontman Bono, who has long campaigned for debt relief, aid and better trade for Africa, said Trump and Musk, the world's richest man, are squandering the potential of millions of people by making huge cuts to US foreign aid spending, "with glee it would appear". It was unwise policy as well as "the definition of the absence of love," he said.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
80s pop icon looks unrecognisable as he's pictured at Wembley stadium - but can you guess who it is?
An 80s pop icon looked unrecognisable as he headed back to Wembley Stadium for Live Aid: The Musical's cast recording on Thursday, 40 years after the iconic concert. The musician was a key organiser of the original two-venue benefit, held on July 13 1985, which intended to raise relief funds for the Ethiopian famine that claimed approximately 300,000 to 1.2 million lives. Almost 40 years after 72,000 fans converged on the venue for an epic string of performances from some of the biggest stars of the decade, this singer posed for photos on its hallowed turf. Hailing from the outskirts of Greater Glasgow, the musician journeyed around several groups in the 70s and early 80s but found real success as the second lead singer of a revived band in 1979. They had a major hit with Vienna in 1981, which went on to become the fifth highest selling single in the UK that year. He juggled his key roles in three big bands, before co-writing and producing Do They Know It's Christmas for Band Aid in 1984 and bagging a solo number one single with If I Was a year later. Can you guess who the new wave icon is? It is none other than Ultravox, Thin Lizzy and Visage star Midge Ure. Echoing that legendary summer's day in 1985, the sun beat down on Wembley as he and fellow Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof recalled fond memories of the fundraising event. Launched at London's Old Vic in 2024, jukebox musical Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical details the events leading up to the two concerts, while featuring a series of fictionalised dramatic sub-plots. Following a recent two month run at Toronto's Mirvish Theatre, it will open at London's Shaftesbury Theatre from May 15 for a further eight weeks, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Live Aid. Watched by an estimated 1.9billion people across the world, the two concerts raised an astonishing £150m in total for famine relief. Just seven-months after the release of Band Aid charity single Do They Know It's Christmas?, Geldof and Ure brought together some of the biggest artists of the 1980s for two huge concerts at Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia's John F. Kennedy Stadium. David Bowie, Sir Paul McCartney, Status Quo, Sir Elton John and Queen led a lengthy roster of performers in London, while Black Sabbath, Joan Baez, Run D.M.C and The Beach Boys joined a host of stars in Philadelphia. Ahead of the anniversary, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer have announced plans to broadcast Live Aid at 40, revealing the behind-the-scenes story of the 1985 concert that brought the idea of charity to a new generation. Geldof (pictured, left) wore a Breton shirt and jeans for his visit to the stadium, while Ure (right) sported a thick roll-neck sweater, despite the weather pushing thirty degrees The event proved the pinnacle of Midge's lofty career, which kicked off with a 1976 number one single, Forever And Ever, while playing in the band Slik. He then had a brief stint in new wave group Rich Kids before forming Visage in 1978 with Rusty Egan and lead vocalist Steve Strange. The band enjoyed a string of hits, including Fade To Grey, and successful albums Visage and The Anvil before tensions caused them to go their separate ways. He then joined Thin Lizzy in 1979 before regrouping Ultravox later that year as its singer, songwriter and guitarist. As Vienna topped the charts in 1981, Midge was also juggling his roles in Visage and Thin Lizzy. They went on to land four top 10 albums and a top three single in Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, before their greatest hits record was released and certified triple platinum. Once he focussed on his solo career, Midge had a number one single with If I Was in 1985 and a number two album in the same year with The Gift. After overseeing Live 8 in 2005, Midge was awarded an OBE. He married his first wife, TV presenter Annabel Giles, in 1985 and they had one daughter Molly Lorenne before divorcing in 1989. In 2003, he tied the knot with his second wife, actress Sheridan Forbes. The duo live in Bath and have three daughters. Last year, Midge paid tribute to his friend and Ultravox bandmate Chris Cross: 'We worked together, we played together, made music and directed videos together. 'We were instant friends as well as Ultravox comrades. Even after years apart we managed to pick up where we left off like the years in between never existed. You were the glue that held the band together. 'You were the logic in the madness and the madness in our lives. It was great to know and grow with you. You are loved and missed old friend.'
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Inside the new Band Aid musical and how one iconic anthem left co-founder Midge Ure with lump in his throat
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) QUEEN'S 'Ay-Oh' is booming around London's Wembley Stadium as I relive Live Aid ahead of the global charity event's 40th anniversary. As silence falls upon the stands, a familiar Irish voice pipes up and, staring at the stadium, Bob Geldof says: 'It doesn't look that sort of different. 10 Bob Geldof invited me to the release of Just For One Day, The Live Aid Musical album Credit: Getty - Contributor 10 Singers George Michael, Bob Geldof, Paul Weller and Freddie Mercury performing the Band Aid single 'Do They Know It's Christmas' in 1985 Credit: Getty 'I expect it to be mega and new and it just looks as crappy as before.' With a glint in his eye, he adds: 'I'm blue in the face listening to f***ing Freddie Mercury.' Joking aside, Bob — alongside fellow musician Midge Ure, promoter Harvey Goldsmith and music exec John Kennedy — has invited me down to announce the release of Just For One Day, The Live Aid Musical album. Out on July 11, it is a 30-track collection of songs from the groundbreaking concert recorded by the cast of the theatre show. Producer Jon Bath tells me it took him 54 weeks to make what he admitted had to be 'the best covers album of all time' with tracks including The Beatles' Let It Be, Elton John's I'm Still Standing and Bryan Adams Summer Of '69 . They've succeeded thanks to a stellar cast — including Craige Els who plays Boomtown Rats frontman and Live Aid mastermind Bob. Midge — who wrote Band Aid's Christmas smash Do They Know It's Christmas — says of the musical: 'I went in as a jaded rock star expecting cheese. But during the show this jaded rock star had a lump in his throat. 'One song jumped out in particular for me and I was never a big Bob Dylan fan. 'Blowing In The Wind, the interpretation that they've done on that was phenomenal. 'It changed my opinion of what theatre and musicals could be up until that moment.' Recalling teaming up with Bob on Live Aid in 1985, John says: 'God looked at a family in Africa and said he had to do something about it. 'Band Aid eat your heart out' Two Doors Down star performs Christmas hit with a Scottish twist 'He knocked on the door for help and it was answered by a scruffy, foul-mouthed Irishman. 'A lanky, impetuous, domineering, potential dictator. Bob then bullied Midge into writing one of the most successful songs of all time, he then bullied the rest of us to be in his band of merry men. 'Here we are, 40 years later.' To date, the Band Aid Charitable Trust has raised more than £150million for people in need. And ten per cent of ticket sales for the musical, which opens at London's Shaftesbury Theatre from May 15, will go to the charity. John continues: 'The Band Aid Trust have been doing this for 40 years and five months. To us, it never felt stale. We got a request from a small charity last week. 'Lives transformed' 'They wanted £25,000 from us. If we gave them that sum and they added it to the £25,000 they've raised themselves, then they would give a village of 3,000 people a clean water supply that would last for 20 to 30 years. 'That project will cost five percent of the money we already make from the musical. 'The other 95 per cent will be spent just as effectively and over the years. the money will roll in. 'But don't go to the musical because of those 3,000 people whose lives will be transformed. Go because you'll have one of the best nights of your life. 'You will laugh, you will cry, you will dance and you will sing. 'And if at the end you're not on your feet giving a standing ovation, then Bob personally will give you your money back.' I'll hold him to that. BBC tributes THE BBC will also be celebrating the anniversary of the legendary concert with new programmes all about it. In July, BBC Two will air a new documentary called Live Aid At 40, telling the behind-the-scenes story of the event, featuring exclusive interviews with Bono, Sting, George Bush and others. Fans will be able to relive the charity gig with Live Aid The Concert, also on BBC Two, while Radio 2 has created its own special, Live Aid – The Fans Story, with tales from performers including Gary Kemp, Francis Rossi and Billy Ocean. Kylie court in act TIMOTHEE CHALAMET and Kylie Jenner had just as much fun playing tonsil tennis as they did watching the basketball in LA. The couple, who have been together for two years, cheered on the Los Angeles Lakers who took on the Minnesota Timberwolves, although the latter team won. 10 Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner attended a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves Credit: Getty 10 The pair locked lips courtside Credit: Rex 10 Also at the game was actress Lily Rose Depp and her musician girlfriend 070 Shake Credit: Getty They weren't the only couple spotted having a smooch there, though. Also at the game was actress Lily Rose Depp and her musician girlfriend 070 Shake – five years after Lily's year-long romance with Timothee ended. Somehow, I doubt they'll be putting a double date in the diary. Rita's hot right now THE mini heatwave is fitting for Rita Ora, who sends temperatures soaring in the music video for her next tune. I'm told the singer is going back to her racy Hot Right Now roots for sizzling new single, Heat. 10 Rita Ora is going back to her racy Hot Right Now roots for sizzling new single, Heat Credit: Instagram Insiders said Rita slipped into her sexiest bikinis for the US shoot, which took place on beaches in both Miami and Los Angeles. They explained: 'Rita is going all out for Heat and the video is one of the raciest she's ever done. 'She wears a number of different bikinis and writhes around on the beach, and there is a lot of sexy choreography, too. 'It really is like her Hot Right Now days and Rita wants to get pulses racing.' There's no word yet on whether Rita's husband Taika Waititi I makes a cameo in the video. But we know he's got form for popping up in the background of scenes. If you ask me, I think Taika will definitely have wanted to be involved in this one . . . Ed still in play after tour end ED SHEERAN has confirmed he won't be hitting pause on his music – as the star releases his new album just five days after the end of his Mathematics Tour. The record, named Play, will be available on September 12, featuring the song Old Phone, which came out last night. Lorde says that her record, Virgin, will be out on June 27, while new releases today include Irish singer Allie Sherlock's Damage Control and rising pop star Sophie Grey's On Hold, ahead of her support slot for Sting in arenas across Europe this summer. My favourite new release is Mimi Webb and Meghan Trainor's irresistibly catchy track, Mind Reader. Mabel has worked with Clavish for the song Benz, and Maroon 5 have teamed up with Blackpink's Lisa for their new single, Priceless Jade: My album agony JADE has voiced her frustration over the delay of her debut album – and it sounds like fans will have to wait even longer. She said in January that the record, which she finished last year, would be out around May, but it sounds like it will now not be released until the end of the summer. 10 Jade Thirlwall has voiced her frustration over the delay of her debut album Credit: Getty Speaking to a fan on social media site Discord, the Angel Of My Dreams singer said: 'The hardest part is waiting for my album to come out. I can assure you nobody wants this album out more than me. 'I am trusting in the team's strategy and expertise and understand that the summer of shows and upcoming promo will help drive preorders as a new artist. 'But I can promise, with my next album, I want to write it and release it within months of each other.' Have Specs with Elton IF you were looking for celebs with the most stylish glasses, you'd probably pick Billie Eilish or But Specsavers have plumped for Sir Elton John to promote their latest collection – despite the fact he's almost blind. 10 Specsavers have plumped for Elton John to promote their latest collection Credit: Getty The high street optician is working with the music legend to bring 12 optical frames and two types of sunglasses from his Elton John Eyewear range to their customers. The glasses are based on some key moments in his life and career but I'm not keen to get a pair given how his vision has deteriorated. Elt has struggled since getting an infection last year and recently admitted: 'I can't see TV, I can't read. I can't see my boys playing rugby and soccer. It's distressing,' When asked how many pairs of glasses he has, he recently said: 'I don't really know. I guess between ten and 15 thousand.' He'll have a few more pairs from this collab – I hope that he sees an improvement. Harry's clubbing in Styles IT'S notoriously difficult to get in to, but Harry Styles seems to have been added to the VIP list at Berlin megaclub Berghain. Revellers often queue for more than six hours, only to be turned away at the door. 10 Harry Styles seems to have been added to the VIP list at Berlin megaclub Berghain Credit: Getty But I hear Harry, below, has become something of a regular at the hardcore electronic music venue. A punter told me: 'Harry's often in Berghain, but I never see him in the queue. He must have a back door agreement with the bosses because I don't think Harry would stand outside for hours like us lot.' It would be good advertising if he did. I told last month how Harry had temporarily relocated to the German capital to put the finishing touches to his fourth record. I just hope he's putting as much time into recording as propping up the bar. Line-up is Jool in TV crown VIEWERS will soon be treated to more top music as Later… With Jools Holland returns to our screens. I can exclusively reveal rock legends Skunk Anansie are booked for the first episode on May 18, alongside Cynthia Erivo, who will perform a track from her upcoming solo album, I Forgive You. 10 Skunk Anansie are booked for the first episode of Later… With Jools Holland on May 18, alongside Cynthia Erivo Credit: Rex The series, which runs for six weeks, will also feature Pulp, Loyle Carner, The Hives, Wet Leg, Joy Crookes, Franz Ferdinand, Wunderhorse, Wolf Alice and Beverley Knight. Also teed up to perform are Billy Nomates, Cameron Winter, Self Esteem, Holly Johnson, ALT BLK Era and Sugababes. The shows, which are all being filmed at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in North London, will air in a new slot on Sunday evenings at 10pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Inside the new Band Aid musical and how one iconic anthem left co-founder Midge Ure with lump in his throat
QUEEN'S 'Ay-Oh' is booming around London's Wembley Stadium as I relive Live Aid ahead of the global charity event's 40th anniversary. As silence falls upon the stands, a familiar Irish voice pipes up and, staring at the stadium, Bob Geldof says: 'It doesn't look that sort of different. 10 'I expect it to be mega and new and it just looks as crappy as before.' With a glint in his eye, he adds: 'I'm blue in the face listening to f***ing Freddie Mercury.' Joking aside, Bob — alongside fellow musician Midge Ure, promoter Harvey Goldsmith and music exec John Kennedy — has invited me down to announce the release of Just For One Day, The Live Aid Musical album. Out on July 11, it is a 30-track collection of songs from the groundbreaking concert recorded by the cast of the theatre show. Producer Jon Bath tells me it took him 54 weeks to make what he admitted had to be 'the best covers album of all time' with tracks including The Beatles ' Let It Be, Elton John's I'm Still Standing and Bryan Adams Summer Of '69 . They've succeeded thanks to a stellar cast — including Craige Els who plays Boomtown Rats frontman and Live Aid mastermind Bob. Midge — who wrote Band Aid's Christmas smash Do They Know It's Christmas — says of the musical: 'I went in as a jaded rock star expecting cheese. But during the show this jaded rock star had a lump in his throat. 'One song jumped out in particular for me and I was never a big Bob Dylan fan. 'Blowing In The Wind, the interpretation that they've done on that was phenomenal. 'It changed my opinion of what theatre and musicals could be up until that moment.' Recalling teaming up with Bob on Live Aid in 1985, John says: 'God looked at a family in Africa and said he had to do something about it. 'Band Aid eat your heart out' Two Doors Down star performs Christmas hit with a Scottish twist 'He knocked on the door for help and it was answered by a scruffy, foul-mouthed Irishman. 'A lanky, impetuous, domineering, potential dictator. Bob then bullied Midge into writing one of the most successful songs of all time, he then bullied the rest of us to be in his band of merry men. 'Here we are, 40 years later.' To date, the Band Aid Charitable Trust has raised more than £150million for people in need. And ten per cent of ticket sales for the musical, which opens at London's Shaftesbury Theatre from May 15, will go to the charity. John continues: 'The Band Aid Trust have been doing this for 40 years and five months. To us, it never felt stale. We got a request from a small charity last week. 'Lives transformed' 'They wanted £25,000 from us. If we gave them that sum and they added it to the £25,000 they've raised themselves, then they would give a village of 3,000 people a clean water supply that would last for 20 to 30 years. 'That project will cost five percent of the money we already make from the musical. 'The other 95 per cent will be spent just as effectively and over the years. the money will roll in. 'But don't go to the musical because of those 3,000 people whose lives will be transformed. Go because you'll have one of the best nights of your life. 'You will laugh, you will cry, you will dance and you will sing. 'And if at the end you're not on your feet giving a standing ovation, then Bob personally will give you your money back.' I'll hold him to that. BBC tributes THE BBC will also be celebrating the anniversary of the legendary concert with new programmes all about it. In July, BBC Two will air a new documentary called Live Aid At 40, telling the behind-the-scenes story of the event, featuring exclusive interviews with Bono, Sting, George Bush and others. Fans will be able to relive the charity gig with Live Aid The Concert, also on BBC Two, while Radio 2 has created its own special, Live Aid – The Fans Story, with tales from performers including Gary Kemp, Francis Rossi and Billy Ocean. Kylie court in act TIMOTHEE CHALAMET and Kylie Jenner had just as much fun playing tonsil tennis as they did watching the basketball in LA. The couple, who have been together for two years, cheered on the Los Angeles Lakers who took on the Minnesota Timberwolves, although the latter team won. 10 10 They weren't the only couple spotted having a smooch there, though. Also at the game was actress Lily Rose Depp and her musician girlfriend 070 Shake – five years after Lily's year-long romance with Timothee ended. Somehow, I doubt they'll be putting a double date in the diary. Rita's hot right now THE mini heatwave is fitting for Rita Ora, who sends temperatures soaring in the music video for her next tune. I'm told the singer is going back to her racy Hot Right Now roots for sizzling new single, Heat. 10 Insiders said Rita slipped into her sexiest bikinis for the US shoot, which took place on beaches in both Miami and Los Angeles. They explained: 'Rita is going all out for Heat and the video is one of the raciest she's ever done. 'She wears a number of different bikinis and writhes around on the beach, and there is a lot of sexy choreography, too. 'It really is like her Hot Right Now days and Rita wants to get pulses racing.' There's no word yet on whether Rita's husband Taika Waititi I makes a cameo in the video. But we know he's got form for popping up in the background of scenes. If you ask me, I think Taika will definitely have wanted to be involved in this one . . . Ed still in play after tour end ED SHEERAN has confirmed he won't be hitting pause on his music – as the star releases his new album just five days after the end of his Mathematics Tour. The record, named Play, will be available on September 12, featuring the song Old Phone, which came out last night. Lorde says that her record, Virgin, will be out on June 27, while new releases today include Irish singer Allie Sherlock's Damage Control and rising pop star Sophie Grey's On Hold, ahead of her support slot for Sting in arenas across Europe this summer. My favourite new release is Mimi Webb and Meghan Trainor's irresistibly catchy track, Mind Reader. Mabel has worked with Clavish for the song Benz, and Maroon 5 have teamed up with Blackpink's Lisa for their new single, Priceless Jade: My album agony JADE has voiced her frustration over the delay of her debut album – and it sounds like fans will have to wait even longer. She said in January that the record, which she finished last year, would be out around May, but it sounds like it will now not be released until the end of the summer. Speaking to a fan on social media site Discord, the Angel Of My Dreams singer said: 'The hardest part is waiting for my album to come out. I can assure you nobody wants this album out more than me. 'I am trusting in the team's strategy and expertise and understand that the summer of shows and upcoming promo will help drive preorders as a new artist. 'But I can promise, with my next album, I want to write it and release it within months of each other.' Have Specs with Elton IF you were looking for celebs with the most stylish glasses, you'd probably pick Billie Eilish or But Specsavers have plumped for Sir Elton John to promote their latest collection – despite the fact he's almost blind. The high street optician is working with the music legend to bring 12 optical frames and two types of sunglasses from his Elton John Eyewear range to their customers. The glasses are based on some key moments in his life and career but I'm not keen to get a pair given how his vision has deteriorated. Elt has struggled since getting an infection last year and recently admitted: 'I can't see TV, I can't read. I can't see my boys playing rugby and soccer. It's distressing,' When asked how many pairs of glasses he has, he recently said: 'I don't really know. I guess between ten and 15 thousand.' He'll have a few more pairs from this collab – I hope that he sees an improvement. Harry's clubbing in Styles IT'S notoriously difficult to get in to, but Harry Styles seems to have been added to the VIP list at Berlin megaclub Berghain. Revellers often queue for more than six hours, only to be turned away at the door. 10 But I hear Harry, below, has become something of a regular at the hardcore electronic music venue. A punter told me: 'Harry's often in Berghain, but I never see him in the queue. He must have a back door agreement with the bosses because I don't think Harry would stand outside for hours like us lot.' It would be good advertising if he did. I told last month how Harry had temporarily relocated to the German capital to put the finishing touches to his fourth record. I just hope he's putting as much time into recording as propping up the bar. Line-up is Jool in TV crown VIEWERS will soon be treated to more top music as Later… With Jools Holland returns to our screens. I can exclusively reveal rock legends Skunk Anansie are booked for the first episode on May 18, alongside Cynthia Erivo, who will perform a track from her upcoming solo album, I Forgive You. 10 The series, which runs for six weeks, will also feature Pulp, Loyle Carner, The Hives, Wet Leg, Joy Crookes, Franz Ferdinand, Wunderhorse, Wolf Alice and Beverley Knight. Also teed up to perform are Billy Nomates, Cameron Winter, Self Esteem, Holly Johnson, ALT BLK Era and Sugababes. The shows, which are all being filmed at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in North London, will air in a new slot on Sunday evenings at 10pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Inside the new Band Aid musical and how one iconic anthem left co-founder Midge Ure with lump in his throat
QUEEN'S 'Ay-Oh' is booming around London's Wembley Stadium as I relive Live Aid ahead of the global charity event's 40th anniversary. As silence falls upon the stands, a familiar Irish voice pipes up and, staring at the stadium, Advertisement 10 Bob Geldof invited me to the release of Just For One Day, The Live Aid Musical album Credit: Getty - Contributor 10 Singers George Michael, Bob Geldof, Paul Weller and Freddie Mercury performing the Band Aid single 'Do They Know It's Christmas' in 1985 Credit: Getty 'I expect it to be mega and new and it just looks as crappy as before.' With a glint in his eye, he adds: 'I'm blue in the face listening to f***ing Joking aside, Bob — alongside fellow musician Midge Ure, promoter Harvey Goldsmith and music exec John Kennedy — has invited me down to announce the release of Just For One Day, The Live Aid Musical album. Out on July 11, it is a 30-track collection of songs from the groundbreaking concert recorded by the cast of the theatre show. Producer Jon Bath tells me it took him 54 weeks to make what he admitted had to be 'the best covers album of all time' with tracks including The Beatles' Let It Be, Advertisement READ MORE ON BANDS They've succeeded thanks to a stellar cast — including Craige Els who plays Boomtown Rats frontman and Live Aid mastermind Bob. Midge — who wrote 'One song jumped out in particular for me and I was never a big Bob Dylan fan. 'Blowing In The Wind, the interpretation that they've done on that was phenomenal. Advertisement Most read in Bizarre 'It changed my opinion of what theatre and musicals could be up until that moment.' Recalling teaming up with Bob on Live Aid in 1985, John says: 'God looked at a family in Africa and said he had to do something about it. 'Band Aid eat your heart out' Two Doors Down star performs Christmas hit with a Scottish twist 'He knocked on the door for help and it was answered by a scruffy, foul-mouthed Irishman. 'A lanky, impetuous, domineering, potential dictator. Bob then bullied Midge into writing one of the most successful songs of all time, he then bullied the rest of us to be in his band of merry men. Advertisement 'Here we are, 40 years later.' To date, the Band Aid Charitable Trust has raised more than £150million for people in need. And ten per cent of ticket sales for the musical, which opens at London's Shaftesbury Theatre from May 15, will go to the charity. John continues: 'The Band Aid Trust have been doing this for 40 years and five months. To us, it never felt stale. We got a request from a small charity last week. Advertisement 'Lives transformed' 'They wanted £25,000 from us. If we gave them that sum and they added it to the £25,000 they've raised themselves, then they would give a village of 3,000 people a clean water supply that would last for 20 to 30 years. 'That project will cost five percent of the money we already make from the musical. 'The other 95 per cent will be spent just as effectively and over the years. the money will roll in. 'But don't go to the musical because of those 3,000 people whose lives will be transformed. Go because you'll have one of the best nights of your life. Advertisement 'You will laugh, you will cry, you will dance and you will sing. 'And if at the end you're not on your feet giving a standing ovation, then Bob personally will give you your money back.' I'll hold him to that. BBC tributes THE BBC will also be celebrating the anniversary of the legendary concert with new programmes all about it. In July, BBC Two will air a new documentary called Live Aid At 40, telling the behind-the-scenes story of the event, featuring exclusive interviews with Bono, Sting, George Bush and others. Fans will be able to relive the charity gig with Live Aid The Concert, also on BBC Two, while Radio 2 has created its own special, Live Aid – The Fans Story, with tales from performers including Gary Kemp, Francis Rossi and Billy Ocean. Kylie court in act TIMOTHEE CHALAMET and Kylie Jenner had just as much fun playing tonsil tennis as they did watching the basketball in LA. Advertisement The couple, who have been together for two years, cheered on the Los Angeles Lakers who took on the Minnesota Timberwolves, although the latter team won. 10 Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner attended a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves Credit: Getty 10 The pair locked lips courtside Credit: Rex 10 Also at the game was actress Lily Rose Depp and her musician girlfriend 070 Shake Credit: Getty Advertisement They weren't the only couple spotted having a smooch there, though. Also at the game was actress Somehow, I doubt they'll be putting a double date in the diary. Rita's hot right now THE mini heatwave is fitting for Rita Ora, who sends temperatures soaring in the music video for her next tune. Advertisement I'm told the singer is going back to her racy Hot Right Now roots for sizzling new single, Heat. 10 Rita Ora is going back to her racy Hot Right Now roots for sizzling new single, Heat Credit: Instagram Insiders said Rita slipped into her sexiest bikinis for the US shoot, which took place on beaches in both Miami and Los Angeles. They explained: 'Rita is going all out for Heat and the video is one of the raciest she's ever done. Advertisement 'She wears a number of different bikinis and writhes around on the beach, and there is a lot of sexy choreography, too. 'It really is like her Hot Right Now days and Rita wants to get pulses racing.' There's no word yet on whether Rita's husband But we know he's got form for popping up in the background of scenes. Advertisement If you ask me, I think Taika will definitely have wanted to be involved in this one . . . Ed still in play after tour end ED SHEERAN has confirmed he won't be hitting pause on his music – as the star releases his new album just five days after the end of his Mathematics Tour. The record, named Play, will be available on September 12, featuring the song Old Phone, which came out last night. Lorde says that her record, Virgin, will be out on June 27, while new releases today include Irish singer Allie Sherlock's Damage Control and rising pop star Sophie Grey's On Hold, ahead of her support slot for Sting in arenas across Europe this summer. Advertisement My favourite new release is Mabel has worked with Clavish for the song Benz, and Maroon 5 have teamed up with Blackpink's Lisa for their new single, Priceless Jade: My album agony JADE has voiced her frustration over the delay of her debut album – and it sounds like fans will have to wait even longer. She said in January that the record, which she finished last year, would be out around May, but it sounds like it will now not be released until the end of the summer. Advertisement 10 Jade Thirlwall has voiced her frustration over the delay of her debut album Credit: Getty Speaking to a fan on social media site Discord, the Angel Of My Dreams singer said: 'The hardest part is waiting for my album to come out. I can assure you nobody wants this album out more than me. 'I am trusting in the team's strategy and expertise and understand that the summer of shows and upcoming promo will help drive preorders as a new artist. 'But I can promise, with my next album, I want to write it and release it within months of each other.' Advertisement Have Specs with Elton IF you were looking for celebs with the most stylish glasses, you'd probably pick But Specsavers have plumped for 10 Specsavers have plumped for Elton John to promote their latest collection Credit: Getty The high street optician is working with the music legend to bring 12 optical frames and two types of sunglasses from his Elton John Eyewear range to their customers. Advertisement The glasses are based on some key moments in his life and career but I'm not keen to get a pair given how his vision has deteriorated. Elt has struggled since getting an infection last year and recently admitted: 'I can't see TV, I can't read. I can't see my boys playing rugby and soccer. It's distressing,' When asked how many pairs of glasses he has, he recently said: 'I don't really know. I guess between ten and 15 thousand.' He'll have a few more pairs from this collab – I hope that he sees an improvement. Advertisement Harry's clubbing in Styles IT'S notoriously difficult to get in to, but Harry Styles seems to have been added to the VIP list at Berlin megaclub Berghain. Revellers often queue for more than six hours, only to be turned away at the door. 10 Harry Styles seems to have been added to the VIP list at Berlin megaclub Berghain Credit: Getty But I hear Harry, below, has become something of a regular at the hardcore electronic music venue. Advertisement A punter told me: 'Harry's often in Berghain, but I never see him in the queue. He must have a back door agreement with the bosses because I don't think Harry would stand outside for hours like us lot.' It would be good advertising if he did. I told last month how Harry had temporarily relocated to the German capital to put the finishing touches to his fourth record. I just hope he's putting as much time into recording as propping up the bar. Advertisement Line-up is Jool in TV crown VIEWERS will soon be treated to more top music as Later… With I can exclusively reveal rock legends Skunk Anansie are booked for the first episode on May 18, alongside 10 Skunk Anansie are booked for the first episode of Later… With Jools Holland on May 18, alongside Cynthia Erivo Credit: Rex The series, which runs for six weeks, will also feature Pulp, Loyle Carner, The Hives, Wet Leg, Joy Crookes, Franz Ferdinand, Wunderhorse, Wolf Alice and Beverley Knight. Advertisement Also teed up to perform are Billy Nomates, Cameron Winter, Self Esteem, Holly Johnson, ALT BLK Era and Sugababes. The shows, which are all being filmed at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in North London, will air in a new slot on Sunday evenings at 10pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
