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EIGHT IS ENOUGH

Five-City Simulconcerts to Raise Awareness, Pressure G8 for Debt Relief
Bob Geldof has announced Live8, a series of megaconcerts to take place simultaneously on July 2 in Philadelphia, London, Paris, Berlin and Rome, with the stated goal of putting pressure on members of the G8 to do something about third-world poverty at their upcoming summit.

The event, which comes some 20 years after the rocker organized the original Live Aid, is being organized with ONE.org, the debt-relief campaign supported by Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Jamie Foxx, George Clooney, Penelope Cruz and Pat Robertson, among others.

“We will not tolerate the further pain of the poor while we have the financial and moral means to prevent it," said Geldof in a statement. "The boys and girls with guitars will finally get to turn the world on its axis. What we started 20 years ago is coming to a political point in a few weeks. What we do next is seriously, properly, historically and politically important. The G8 leaders have it within their power to alter history. They will only have the will to do so if millions of people show them that enough is enough. This isn’t about charity, it’s about justice.”

Said Dave Matthews, who helped announce the Live8 event, "As a musician, as an African, as a human, I'm going to do all I can to turn up the volume to fight AIDS and poverty. I’m proud to help invite everyone to come to Philly for Live8, watch it on aolmusic.com or on television, and help us show that Americans want a historic breakthrough. When we all join together as ONE, we will change the world, and start to make poverty history.”

Live8 performers announced by organizers Tuesday are as follows:

Philadelphia: Will Smith (host), Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews Band, Sarah McLachlan, Rob Thomas, Keith Urban, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, 50 Cent, Kaiser Chiefs and P. Diddy.

London: Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Dido, Keane, Elton John, Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney, Muse, Razorlight, REM, Scissor Sisters, Snow Patrol, Stereophonics, Sting, Joss Stone, Robbie Williams, U2, Velvet Revolver, Bob Geldof, The Killers, Madonna and The Cure.

Paris: Andrea Bocelli, Craig David, Calo Gero, Jamiroquai, Kyo, Yannick Noah, Youssou N'Dour, Placebo, Axelle Red, Johnny Halliday, Manu Chao and Renaud.

Berlin: A-ha, Bap, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Lauryn Hill, Die Toten Hosen, Peter Maffay and Brian Wilson.

Rome: Irene Grandi, Faith Hill, Jovanotti, Tim McGraw, Nek, Laura Pausini, Duran Duran, Vasco Rossi and Zucchero.

There has also been talk of the Rolling Stones, a re-united Pink Floyd and even the Spice Girls taking part. The concerts will be televised and will also be available for viewing live and on-demand through AOL Music. The concerts are expected to be seen by more than a billion people.

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