So did you catch any of Live8? Hope you did! Watched by 2 billion people worldwide – a mind-boggling number of people, and making it the biggest global telly event in world history. If that doesn’t get the message across, nothing will!
I managed to see most of it, especially enjoying the Spinal Tappiness of Velvet Revolver, the sheer fantasticness of Robbie Williams, the jumpy cheeriness of the Kaiser Chiefs, the oldy fabbiness of The Who, but most of all, the reformed Pink Floyd (who have collectively been grumpy with each other for the past 24 years – I can’t imagine anyone ever thought we’d see them together on a stage again).
That they did so, and clearly enjoyed it so much (Roger Waters, in particular, grinned his way through the whole set, definitely loving it), was a real treat. And the set was so resonant with band history - two Dark Side of the Moon numbers; ‘then ‘Wish You Were Here’ dedicated to long-lost-to-dementia band member Syd Barrett; then playing ‘Comfortably Numb’ (proceeded by Waters taking a deep breath, and saying "Right – here we go…", with his fingers mentally crossed) in front of graphics from ‘The Wall’, the album and tour that finally split them up. And even a quick glimpse of the original, acrimoniously-disputed flying pig behind them as they played – all clearly a deliberate attempt to exorcise the demons of the band’s past, to put it (quite literally) behind them. I especially enjoyed one brief helicopter shot over Hyde Park as they played, briefly zooming in on Battersea Power Station, before panning back down to the band on stage.
The set ended with big hugs and smiles all round, which was lovely to see – wonder if a new album featuring the old line-up will come of this…? They’re all getting on a bit now, but it’s now or never, I’d say…
In other news, my brolly is a bit bust, and on the way to work through the rain this morning, it collapsed around my head twice, probably looking like a venus fly trap to any passers by. So embarrassing. What happened to me blue brolly? Have you borrowed it?
Roger (Wellington)