andyl

"Ultimately", says Mr Stubbs, "I won't be watching Live8 because of the dire bill". Well I concur with his view of the acts but it does beg the question that if "credible" acts like Interpol, Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, Arcade Fire, Youssou'n Dour etc were playing then he would watch Live8 - and what, then support it? Can't quite follow his reasoning there especially when he links undoubtedly conservative music to the world's ills. Jeez, I thought I was a cynic.

He also bemoans artists for thinking they can effect change. Well, Rock Against Racism certainly did play its part in bringing down the National Front in the late seventies by challenging racist thought and action and making racism uncool (at a time when people like Clapton were spouting offensive drivel). And the impressive thing about Live8 is that it is about ideas, not fundraising. Again I may share Stubbs's uncomfortableness at popstars assuming the mantle, but who else is? The impact on the generation emerging into adulthood of movements like this - the linked cause of environmentalism being another - will count in years to come. Sure the isue is complex, but the fundamentals are effectively being promoted; unfair debt, unfair trade.

Finally, quite what does he want Geldof to do when meeting Blair, Bush etc? Punch them in the gob? Gratifying as that might be for us all, it's hardly going to get the argument across. These people need persuading and there's nothing like a popular movement in doing that. Having said that I will be surprised if true fair trade emerges at the other end but there might be a significant step in the right direction.