Geldof lauds Live8 concerts

Bob Geldof at the Live8 DVD release
12 April 2012
The Weekender

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Live 8 marked a beginning of the end of poverty in Africa, Bob Geldof said today as he attended the red carpet launch of the DVD of the event

Geldof, who attended the screening with his four daughters, said more must be done.

The former Boomtown Rats star, who has been named this year's Man of Peace by winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, admitted he was initially anxious that the concerts would not be a success.

But he said they were "the greatest cultural event of the 21st century so far."

He said: "I felt pretty relieved afterwards because I didn't think it would work but it worked magnificently in the political sense.

"We were able to write the agenda and boys and girls with guitars were able to write the agenda and push it to the top table of world politics on behalf of the poor."

Asked why people should buy the DVD, from which profits go to charity, Geldof said: "Literally we begin to see the beginning of the end of poverty in Africa.

"When you look at Live 8 it's a reminder that you're not helpless and not powerless in the face of politics."

He added: "If you say you are a music fan and you don't like Live 8 you're an idiot."

Fifi Trixibelle, 21, Peaches Honey Blossom, 16, Pixie, 14, and Heavenly Hiraani Tigerlily, the daughter Paula Yates had with INXS front man Michael Hutchence, who Geldof became the legal guardian of, all accompanied the Irish star, who was sporting a new short haircut, to the event.

Annie Lennox and Razorlight who both performed at the July 2 London concert also made an appearance. Former Eurythmics star Lennox said: "We need to take these issues incredibly seriously. People want to see change and effective change. There's something so unacceptable about the fact that one half of the world is living in medieval circumstances."

Johnny from Razorlight said: "It's an ongoing fight and it doesn't stop. The world is run by hypocritical, egotistical, megalomaniac lunatics and there's good people trying to do the right thing."

Highlights on the Live 8 London stage included Pink Floyd reuniting, Sir Paul McCartney's rendition of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and acclaimed performances from Madonna, U2 and Robbie Williams.

The concerts were designed to put pressure on leaders gathering in Scotland to thrash out a deal on poverty.

Leaders of the Group of 8 industrial nations agreed to double aid to poor countries by 2010, and cancel the debts of 18 countries.

But the agreement received a mixed reaction from aid campaigners, while environmental groups said little was achieved on the issue.

There was disappointment that agreement had not been reached on trade, and a deadline for eliminating agricultural export subsidies which damage poor countries.

Geldof said receiving the award was "more than an honour, it's almost ridiculous."

He said: "It's almost too big, all the Nobel Peace Prize winners voting for you as their Man of Peace.

"That's f****ng big. I feel weird. Not even proud, just weird. It's an enormous honour that I'm getting it from Gorbachev."

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