The Kaiser Chiefs rocked, and I want to get that announcement out of the way because the portion of the crowd I was standing in seemed very confused by their short set. And I don’t watch television so I can’t talk about MTV’s coverage or NBC’s coverage or anyone’s coverage. I can tell you that I have a sunburn (I look a little like a pink racoon from where my sunglasses were) and that I can now say I’ve seen Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, and Stevie Wonder perform live. Yes.
I read the lineup of who was playing in Philadelphia and thought, “Man, that sucks, I’d rather see Coldplay or at least A-Ha and Lauryn Hill.” The idea of standing under an unforgiving July sun in the city of brotherly love on Independence Day weekend in order to see Keith Urban and the drippy Sarah McLachlan wasn’t particularly appealing. Regardless, May 31st my sister and I both read the headlines and decided, simultaneously that since we’d never been to Philadelphia we would take this opportunity and go.
As we were walking towards the show on Saturday, we were stopped by a man from a local paper who was considering doing a story on what people were wearing to the show. I dig it, there were a lot of ridiculously dressed people and by that I mean they were dressed to go clubbing, not to be standing in the sun all day. What had caught his attention were my sunshine yellow All-Stars. They are not particularly special in that they’re converse and you can go to any sort of punk show and see them in all colors and varieties and wonder if somehow they were part of the dress code. The reporter asked why I’d picked them. Honestly, I wear them to everything. These shoes have seen Red Chord, the Necromantix, A Life Once Lost and My Chemical Romance three times. I wear them until they rot off my feet and/or start reeking so badly that standing completely upright at 5'9" I can smell them.
While a photographer was getting shots of my shoes, we were asked a few questions. What brought us to Philly? (Live 8 and that we’d never been here before) Are we students? (Yes and No. I start grad school in the fall and Beth just graduated.) What do we think of the motives behind the show? (Awareness is a wonderful thing. Democracy is another wonderful thing. Please forgive my naivety here, but isn’t the point of representative democracy that we elect representatives and then tell them how we feel about things so they can take it into account when they make policy and discuss things with other world leaders?) Do we think it will work? (No. But, then I don’t trust a million people to leave a rock concert and go home and continue to contact members of the government and share their feelings about things.) I checked this morning, There were no pictures of my shoes.
Article comments
1 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Excellent Katharine. one of the best things i've read regardin Live 8.
2 - Temple Stark
Wow. Stunning and the best essay I've seen on Live8 so far.
At least reading around it got people to thinking of the poor around this world again.
Ken Edwards makes a good point about the $1 or $2 donation. The only thing I can think of is that was the donation than most people might think they've already done their part. Now many people are left wonderng - so now what can I really do?
idealistic I know. But damnit we need a return of a good dose of idealism.
3 - John Mather
U.S was better than the U.K(snoozefest with one bland band after another)R.E.M aside,and maybe Madonna.Will it change anything? Unlikely.What on earth was Rob Thomas babbling about? "every day in Africa there are two 9/11's...things as bad as 9/11.This song is nothing to do with that!!" Brain in gear before opening mouth.Not smooth at all...
4 - Katharine Donelson
Thank you, Aaron and Temple.
As for what to do, I'm open to suggestions. Fair trade coffee? Solar cars? Hemp pants? I don't know.
John Mather, I honestly have no idea what Rob Thomas was babbling about. I find him to be so musically enthralling I was actually reading while he was on stage.
5 - RJ
Debt-relief and financial aid should be tied to significant progress towards democracy and liberty - and we should be unafraid to cut off this funding if the rulers of some countries are not making a real effort in those directions.
6 - SphinxMontreal
I love the line the concerts are to raise awareness of the problem. What hogwash! Which adult with half a brain is not aware of this problem?
Funny how none of these artists have stepped forward and told us how we can help solve this problem. Obviosuly, either they don't know, don't care or know that the situation is hopeless.
Unfortunately, making money on other people's misfortune has become a very disgusting part of human nature. To change this, you have to change the entire global economic system, which is not happening anytime soon.
7 - Masinissa
What a sad day. Live 8, first I do not need a less than high school graduate telling me what to think about poverty or Africa. But what is more insulting is these over paid immature whiney do nothings think they can tell me that the debt these so called African leaders have amassed should be forgiven and I am the one to pay for it. Well what I say is put down the crack pipe and listen up,. The answer is not NO but HELL NO. I want Bob Geldof to put his money where his big fat mouth is flapping. I say Bobby, you first, lead the way -You- adopt the American Express balance of President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia. If you think that is too much then consider this, with the balance paid off he will be off to Monaco to gamble with the aid money, Next off to France to buy some overpriced Alpha Jets. (ya, ever noticed that there are NO US F16s or F15s sold into sub- Saharan Africa, hum-mm wonder why? when you figure out the answer, get back to me) Then finally President Levy Mwanawasa will make a stop off in China to arrange for some more AK-47s and his favorite the all plastic Chinese antipersonnel land mine. So, Bobby take me off your mailing list and IF you ever figure it out its the corruption stupid - they even have words for it. In Gambia, corruption is called "MASLAHA". In Sudan corruption is called "KITU KIDOGO" In Nigeria, corruption has been institutionalized. If you don't take a bribe you are a fool. Honest people are called fools. In hospital people die because doctors steal drugs and sent them to their private hospitals. It is everywhere. Mr. Geldof, STOP corruption and bribery first then and have your people call my people and we may do lunch.
Masinissa
King of Numidia
8 - Victor Plenty
Thanks for a view from the audience, Katharine. This is the best piece I've seen written about the whole Live 8 experience. Far more thought-provoking than anything the organizers' publicity machine has gotten as far out as my little corner of the world.