TV review: Live Aid docuseries paints Geldof as the good guy
But it is also the story of a group of Irishmen haunted, as Bono says, by the 'folk memory' of our own famine and a trauma passed down the generations.
Bono makes his comment early in Live Aid at 40: When Rock'n'Roll Took on the World (BBC Two, Sunday), a fascinating three-part documentary about the original shows at Wembley and Philadelphia, the 1984 Band Aid single Do They Know It's Christmas? and Live Eight, the damp squib follow-up charity circus from 2005.
The lead character is another Dubliner, Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof. He comes across well in this film — a flawed yet sincere campaigner outraged by BBC news footage of children starving to death in Ethiopia in 1984.
A clumsier doc would lean into revisionism and accuse Live Aid and Geldof of a white saviour complex. Live Aid at 40 resists that temptation and gives Geldof his due as a passionate campaigner.
There are criticisms, however. Journalist Kolton Lee points out that the Live Aid Wembley bill was all white, and that the many black artists in Britain at the time were given short shrift.
Geldof's response comes from a place of arch-pragmatism. The goal, he says, was to raise money for those dying in Ethiopia.
He needed big stars, and because of the way the business operated at that time, those stars were all white. Had there been a Stormzy at that time, he would have begged him to be involved. But there wasn't.
The BBC also does well in giving a voice to Ethiopians. Many were upset by the line 'Do they know it's Christmas' from Band Aid.
Ethiopia had been at the nexus of ancient Christianity — how insulting to suggest that Christmas was an alien concept, says Ethiopia's then aid minister Dawit Giorgis. 'Ethiopians are the oldest Christians in the world so that offended us.'
There is some unexpected humour. Bono recalls visiting the White House to meet George W Bush — only to be mistaken for Cher's ex, Sonny Bono, long dead at the time.
It is a rare chuckle in an often sobering series which ultimately stands as a warts-and-all celebration of Geldof and his remarkable achievement in transforming something as trivial as pop music into an instrument that saved millions of lives.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Horrifying moment Call the Midwife's Helen George sobs and falls to the floor after terrifying shark cage experience
CALL the Midwife's Helen George broke down in tears after a terrifying shark cage experience on ITV's new show. 2 Seven celebrities are taking part in ITV's new show 2 Helen is best known for her role as Trixie in Call the Midwife Credit: BBC The celebrities join three world-renowned shark experts on a dive expedition to The Bahamas, the shark capital of the world. While the other celebrities - Sir sharks , Helen had a more pressing problem to address on the first day. She revealed she is scared of the sea and hasn't been in it for 20 years, after a childhood incident left her fearful of putting her head under the water. Helen - Read More on Helen George But, keen to overcome her phobia for the sake of her two children who love swimming , the actress got her wet suit on and headed to the pool with the others for a safety briefing on their scuba gear. Later, the time came for her to get into the shark cage, with the experts deciding it would be best for her to go in with one of them, Danni Washington . Helen was clearly petrified, but managed to get into the cage and submerge to see the sharks all around her. But she became panicked about where to put her feet - having been warned to keep all limbs inside the cage. Most read in Reality After a few moments, she cried: "I wanna come out, I wanna come out, please!" But then she became more distressed at how she would be able to get out of the cage, her fear of being trapped underwater returning once more. Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters Helen begged Danni to climb out before her so she could see how it was done, before she was finally pulled out too. Once back on dry land, an emotional Helen sank to her knees on the dock and put her hand to her face before apologising. She told Danni: "I'm so sorry, I was so scared, I was panicking. I was so scared about coming out." Danni immediately got down beside her and reassured Helen that she had done a great job, leading Helen to give her a big hug. Viewers flocked to social media to make their opinions heard and one wrote: "Helen is doing a better job than me. Severe fears are insane. Heights for me are worse than death. I totally feel for her. Well done to her." But another said: "Not liking SEAWATER and/or is this the only thing your agent found for you?" While a third said: "OK I vote Helen George to go in first without a cage and covered in entrails." "Ffs Helen is a right wuss," added another viewer. Danni later told her colleagues: "She overcame a huge fear, actually a phobia, she managed to get her head under the water because that's her biggest fear and then on top of that she was in the water with sharks. So we're off to a good start." Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
MasterChef star John Torode's explosive statement in full after being ‘asked to resign over racist remark'
MASTERCHEF host John Torode has released an explosive statement responding to allegations he made a racist remark. The Australian chef, 59, has been 4 John Torode has responded to claims that he used racist language while working alongside Gregg Wallace on Masterchef Credit: PA 4 The Australian chef, 59, said he had no recollection of using racist language Credit: Rex Features 4 Gregg Wallace is facing dozens of complaints over his conduct while working for the BBC Credit: Getty The TV chef was cited - but not named - in the dating back over eight years. He allegedly made a racist remark during a private conversation - something John denies having any recollection of ever taking place. Shockingly, the BBC and production company Banijay asked John to resign last week - and claim he had mental health problems. He refused and has now issued a statement to The Sun confirming he was investigated over the alleged remarks. read more in Gregg Wallace John told how he intended to cause no offence to the person he was talking to and apologised immediately after the alleged incident at the time. He has now come out and said: 'Following publication of the Executive Summary of the Investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. 'The allegation is that I did so sometime between 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards. Most read in News TV 'I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. 'However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'We'll never work with him again', blast BBC as Gregg Wallace report reveals 'substantial' allegations over 19 YEARS 'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.' Last night a source close to the chef added: 'John is absolutely devastated to have been pulled into this mess. 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star. 'As Gregg has pointed out broadcasting is becoming a dangerous place especially when there is no concrete evidence. 'If the BBC let him go for this, where will it all end? There will soon be no-one left on telly.' It follows a series of serious complaints being made about co-star and close friend Gregg Wallace. In a bombshell report, 45 of 83 complaints about the TV star's bad behaviour had been upheld - leading to his sacking last week. One included unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress. The under-fire host, 60, yesterday apologised, saying he 'never set out to harm or humiliate'. In total, the report says 83 allegations were made against Wallace, with the majority of the substantiated claims relating to inappropriate sexual language and humour, but also culturally insensitive or racist comments. The inquiry, conducted by an independent law firm, was ordered by Banijay in the wake of a BBC News investigation which first revealed claims of inappropriate sexual comments against Wallace. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he 'welcomed' the BBC cutting ties with Gregg Wallace and demanded action to end future 'abuses of power'. The PM's spokesman said he still has 'confidence' in the Corporation but that it must take steps to 'ensure the public retains trust'. The BBC has now also admitted the Wallace is said to feature in the 20 episodes yet to be released. Grace Dent is now The food critic, 51, is understood to have been asked to start filming for MasterChef UK alongside chef Torode at the end of the summer. It is unclear how the recent report and claims from the Aussie chef may change the BBC's scheduling. What did the report find? FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated. An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace. The report substantiated: - Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo; - Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments; - Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone; - Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments; - Three claims that he was in a state of undress; - Seven allegations of bullying; - One allegation of unwanted touching. The allegations span from 2005 to 2024 4 The pair hosted Masterchef together for almost two decades Credit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Russell Mael of Sparks: How we made ‘This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us'
In advance of their two sell-out Irish shows, the US frontman on famous fans and using food stamps despite their breakthrough hit John Lennon was heavily reliant on heroin in the mid-1970s, so the following legendary story should be taken with a pinch of salt. In 1974, he watched LA duo Sparks perform This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us on the BBC's flagship music show Top of the Pops and immediately got on the phone to one of The Beatles.
