A coordinated series of ten benefit concerts in 2005 pressured G8 leaders to double aid to developing nations, reaching an estimated audience of up to 2 billion people.
Key Facts
- Date of main concerts
- 2 July 2005
- Number of concurrent concerts
- 10 simultaneous, 1 on 6 July
- Musicians performed
- More than 1,000
- Television networks broadcasting
- 182
- Estimated global audience
- Up to 2 billion
- G8 aid pledge increase
- US$25 billion to US$50 billion by 2010
By the Numbers
Cause → Event → Consequence
Growing international pressure to address extreme poverty in Africa, combined with the upcoming G8 summit at Gleneagles and the 20th anniversary of Live Aid, prompted organiser Bob Geldof and co-organiser Midge Ure to stage a globally coordinated concert campaign in support of the Make Poverty History and Global Call to Action Against Poverty campaigns.
On 2 July 2005, ten simultaneous benefit concerts were held across G8 nations and South Africa, with over 1,000 musicians performing. A further concert took place on 6 July, the day the G8 summit opened. The events were broadcast across 182 television networks and 2,000 radio stations, with organisers presenting the 'Live 8 List' of names to world leaders calling for action.
On 7 July 2005, G8 leaders pledged to double 2004 aid levels to poorer nations from US$25 billion to US$50 billion by 2010, with half designated for Africa. The concerts demonstrated the capacity of mass entertainment events to generate political momentum on international development issues.