06-16-2005, 09:54 AM
By TERRY WEBER
Thursday, June 16, 2005 Updated at 9:17 AM EDT
Globe and Mail Update
Rock star Bob Geldof, architect of a series of anti-poverty concerts, has confirmed that Toronto will play host to one of the Live 8 performances.
Mr. Geldof, who was in Dublin receiving an honorary doctorate degree, was quoted by Reuters News Agency as saying that gigs will also be played in Tokyo and Johannesburg.
He said a formal announcement will be made Friday.
Organizers in Canada have been scrambling to put together a date for this country. Initial reports suggested Parliament Hill as a possible site for the July 2 date.
Officials confirmed this week, however, that Ottawa was out as a venue because of the expected size of the crowd and the fact that the concert is to be played just one day after Canada Day celebrations, which typically draw huge crowds to the nation's capital.
Organizers told globeandmail.com earlier in the week that an announcement was “very close” but that details were still being worked out.
The line-up has also been a source of intense speculation, with some reports suggesting that the Rolling Stones – who will be rehearsing in Toronto for their upcoming world tour – could take part. Canadian acts like Barenaked Ladies and Jann Arden have also expressed interest in playing for the event.
The Toronto-area Downsview Park site of the 2003 SARs benefit concert has also been mentioned as a possible location for the event.
Mr. Geldof – who organized the Live Aid benefit years earlier – is behind this summer's concert bashes, to be held in Philadelphia, London, Paris, Rome and Berlin on July 2.
With U2, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Sting and Sarah McLachlan among the performers in those cities, Mr. Geldof is banking on the star-studded event's raising awareness of poverty before leaders of the wealthy G8 countries – which include Canada – meet in Britain.
Speculation has also been rife that pop star Michael Jackson, cleared this week of child molestation charges, may be also be added to the bill of one of the concerts.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050616.wlive0616/BNStory/Entertainment/">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... rtainment/</a><!-- m -->
Thursday, June 16, 2005 Updated at 9:17 AM EDT
Globe and Mail Update
Rock star Bob Geldof, architect of a series of anti-poverty concerts, has confirmed that Toronto will play host to one of the Live 8 performances.
Mr. Geldof, who was in Dublin receiving an honorary doctorate degree, was quoted by Reuters News Agency as saying that gigs will also be played in Tokyo and Johannesburg.
He said a formal announcement will be made Friday.
Organizers in Canada have been scrambling to put together a date for this country. Initial reports suggested Parliament Hill as a possible site for the July 2 date.
Officials confirmed this week, however, that Ottawa was out as a venue because of the expected size of the crowd and the fact that the concert is to be played just one day after Canada Day celebrations, which typically draw huge crowds to the nation's capital.
Organizers told globeandmail.com earlier in the week that an announcement was “very close” but that details were still being worked out.
The line-up has also been a source of intense speculation, with some reports suggesting that the Rolling Stones – who will be rehearsing in Toronto for their upcoming world tour – could take part. Canadian acts like Barenaked Ladies and Jann Arden have also expressed interest in playing for the event.
The Toronto-area Downsview Park site of the 2003 SARs benefit concert has also been mentioned as a possible location for the event.
Mr. Geldof – who organized the Live Aid benefit years earlier – is behind this summer's concert bashes, to be held in Philadelphia, London, Paris, Rome and Berlin on July 2.
With U2, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Sting and Sarah McLachlan among the performers in those cities, Mr. Geldof is banking on the star-studded event's raising awareness of poverty before leaders of the wealthy G8 countries – which include Canada – meet in Britain.
Speculation has also been rife that pop star Michael Jackson, cleared this week of child molestation charges, may be also be added to the bill of one of the concerts.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050616.wlive0616/BNStory/Entertainment/">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... rtainment/</a><!-- m -->
