Latest news with #TheLiveAidMusical
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 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.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Bob Geldof vows to carry on 'vital' work as he launches Live Aid musical
As the 40th anniversary of the iconic concert approaches, the Boomtown Rats star announced another exciting project back where it all began Bob Geldof looked back on the legacy of Live Aid 40 years on insisting there was still more work to be done - as he launched a musical telling the remarkable story and a new album. The 73-year-old, who organised the original 1985 event alongside singer Midge Ure, reunited at Wembley Stadium today. It was where it all started, when icons like David Bowie, Queen with Freddie Mercury and Elton John took to the stage to raise funds for the famine in Ethiopia. Bob says the charity still has so much work to do, as he announced the Just for One Day - The Live Aid Musical album. 'We wake up every day with 10 or 12 emails dictating the latest horror from the hungry lands,' he said. 'We couldn't possibly know that 40 years down the track that the issue would be as vital. The world and it's emotional bandwidth with Gaza and Ukraine and Trump and all that evil and accept that in Sudan 2.5m are being forced to starve as an instrument of war because America has decided not to send any grain, then 5 million people in Africa are in peril of their lives from AIDS because Trump has decided that's not fun anymore.' Looking around Wembley Stadium, the Boomtown Rats star quipped to Radio 1 host Jo Whiley: 'Wembley doesn't look any different. I expected it to look shiny and new but it looks as crappy as before.' Speaking at the launch Just For One Day, a musical which tells the story of the Live Aid concerts in the national football stadium in London and Philadelphia in the US, he said he wasn't totally sold on the idea at first but has been blown away by the show. 'I was mortified when I was reading the script,' he admitted. 'You're reading a version of the self.' Midge agreed: 'I went to see the show at the Old Vic. I went in as a jaded old rock star and expecting cheese.' But both told how they have been impressed by what they've seen. 'The musical is extraordinary,' said Bob. 'My main thing is that it's politically pertinent. Forty years ago people understood but these days it's about Freddie and all of that. What the musical does for us is put it in a contemporary perspective. 'When you hear (The Who 's) My Generation sung like that. I took Pete Townshend to see the show. He couldn't imagine his song, which is beyond at anthem… He clutched my knee and I knew he was thinking 'Should I record it like that?'' Midge added: 'One song in particular jumped out for me. Bob Dylan 's Blowing In The Wind. The interpretation was phenomenal and it changed my option of what musicals and theatres could be. Fred and Ginger was all I could conjure up. The passion they have equals the passion of the artists on the day. This is a different way of getting the message out, which is incredibly important.' The musical launched at the Old Vic last year. It's made £600,000 for the Band Aid Charitable Trust so far and is expected to raise more than £1m for the charity by the end of the year. 'The musical brings it to a different generation and the possibility of what individuals can do together,' said Bob. "I read somewhere it's another jukebox musical. Dude, it is! That's what it was called. It was hit and hit. The achievement is to make that sense of 40 years ago vivid and relevant to now. And that's what it's done.' Just For One Day will return at London's Shaftesbury Theatre on May 15, with 10% of all proceeds being donated to the Band Aid Charitable Trust. The album is released on July 11 - ahead of the Live Aid 40th anniversary on July 13.
