Live 8 Acts Announced

I get the impression that you're not as excited to see "DMB" as the rest of Philadelphia is.

Dave Matthews is a huge name, so as far as noteriety goes, it's a good catch for Live 8 and for Philly.

I think Matthews (with or without the "Band") is a mediocre artist, at best. But that's not a big deal, as there are plenty of mediocre acts out there.

I just think he has a really obnoxious fan base, and I hope that they don't try to turn this into a "Dave show!!!" since it's supposed to be something much bigger than that.

Also, I think you're mistaken if you think the rest of Philadelphia is just brimming with excitement for Dave. Philadelphia has a thriving community of independent music fans, as well as hip-hop and R&B fans. A lot of Dave's fanbase is located on the outskirts of the city and in the suburbs. Again, not a knock on him, but I doubt my opinion is hardly from some sort of obscure Philadelphia minority of music fans.

That's okay, I was just teasing you -- I gathered Dave Matthews wasn't on your top ten list. I have a feeling there will be lot of fans from (at least) several different artists there. There may be "Dave" pockets, but they'll be mostly neutralized by Stevie, Jay-Z, Will Smith, Bon Jovi fans, etc. Especially in Philly.

Dave's huge everywhere, it seems, so I'm sure he'll have a huge showing there for him (although maybe they won't show up until later, if he's headlining -- heck, I'll cross my fingers for that, so then I'll know when to leave).

Man - except for Jovi and Smith - I'm upset! Where's The Roots? Where's the Hooters? Where's Bruce? Not one metal band! How about Marah? Silvertide?

I gotta keep my fingers crossed.

Great post :)

-- found it on the Philly.com story, but couldn't find it on Google for the life of me earlier. www.live8live.com
Karl,

The list, I hope isn't complete. I can't help but think they'd take on a few more performers (maybe even locals?) if this line-up was to match anywhere near the depth of the '85 show. But then, I don't know if they're trying to optimize it for broadcast...

i'm with you. i can't stand him and his music. one of my best friends is a dave freak, i don't understand it. i'm looking forward to artists that are still to come.

I don't understand why everyone is being so negative. They will definitely add more big names. It's a sure thing. They even said so.

Also, Philebrity, when did P-Diddy and 50-Cent, Stevie Wonder turn white?

Who would you want them to have to make it more.. Diverse?

You have a point enrico :) They are sure to add some more acts and we should be celebrating right now.

I read the Philebrity post and just shrugged it off -- he makes his name by being predictably jaded about everything.

I tend to think that they'll take any big name act that really wants to join in (well, except maybe the Spice Girls, but then, I didn't know they were still around). Keep in mind that many bands have their summer schedules set, and like it or not, they can't/don't want to skip paying gigs.

As far as some of the individual band-bashing I've seen, like them or not, at least the bands listed have decided to show up. There are probably some pretty famous bands out there that can't be bothered, I'm sure.

I think it's also in part of all of us wanting to see all of our favorite bands/groups live, in person, for free, with this great cause as an unbelievable backdrop to share with the entire world and say I WAS THERE. I know that's part of my negativity. I'm thrilled to see most of those bands. And to let it all out, my first concert was a Puff Daddy and the Family World Tour in Hartford, CT. Jigga Man has always been one of my favorite rappers of all time, I've seen him twice.

It should be awesome to see Jovi live in his element and to see the great Stevie, man... awesome.

DMB hating is fashionable, understandable, and tired. He'll easily be the most popular act there (yes, more than Bon Jovi and Jay-Z).

If we're going to stereotype the fanbase of every act at a free concert, why not include Puffy/Jay-Z/50 Cent (thugged out wannabes), Sarah McLachlan (patchouli-toting lesbians), Keith Urban (slack-jawed yokels), Bon Jovi (big-haired Jersey trash), and so on. Come on! If you're going to rip on a crappy concert, the least you can do is be comprehensive. Don't stop at DMB.

It's a pop concert that is going to be beamed across the world. If you're into the indie stuff, of course you're going to be upset with the scheduled artists.

-c

"But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." -Thomas Jefferson

I'm not all that excited about Dave Matthews Band either, never been that into them, but whatever. I'm excited about Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Puff Daddy, Jay-Z, Keith Urban (no I'm not a "slack-jawed yokel), and Rob Thomas. I find it necessary to explain the Urban thing. My girlfriend thinks he's hot, so she dragged me along to a concert last year. I hate country music, so I was expecting torture, but the guy plays the hell out of the guitar. In my opinion, he's more rock than country.