Get Up Stand Up
Get Up Stand Up
Get Up Stand Up

Get Up, Stand Up

U2, Angelique Kidjo and scores of great artists launch 'agit8' because 'protest leads to progress.'

11 Jun 2013
The ONE Campaign has mobilised dozens of musicians from around the world to launch agit8, an urgent call for action against extreme poverty in the run up to the meeting of G8 political leaders in Northern Ireland.

U2 Angelique Kidjo, Ed Sheeran, Will.i.am, Mumford and Sons and Elvis Costello are among those joining artists from several countries in Africa in recording brand new versions of classic protest songs 'because protest leads to progress'.

The scandal of extreme poverty and the disgrace of needless child deaths really can be ended but it won't happen without action now,' says Kidjo, a special adviser to agit8. 'Throughout history, we have seen great progress when people join forces to demand change. If enough people add their voices to the chorus of protest, world leaders will be forced to hear us and act.'

A pretty great collection of covers includes two U2 tracks, Sunday Bloody Sunday and 'Pride' - news on what U2 have covered coming soon.

Find videos of these new performances of classic protest songs are at ONE and on Spotify.

Bono, co-founder of ONE, quotes the great agitator Nelson Mandela. 'Like slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome. Millions of people... are trapped in the prison of poverty. It is time to set them free. Sometimes if falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation.'

ONE has also collaborated with filmmakers, actors and activists including Richard Curtis, The Found Collective, Chiwetel Ejiofor and People Speak to create a 30-minute film celebrating how protest, and its music, can catalyze progress in history. The film will be projected onto the Tate Modern in London at 10pm tonight, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Join the campaign to end extreme poverty here.

MORE NEWS

ALL NEWS
Carnaval De Luz Indie Record Store Edition
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

Limited Edition Third Man Records Yellow Vinyl of New Album Arrives November 13 at Independent Record Stores

30 SEP 2026
Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr.
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Central Bank of Ireland launches U2 commemorative coin marking 50 years since the band's formation.

28 SEP 2026
Fifty
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Live in Dublin fifty years on. Pat Carty was there for U2.com.

27 SEP 2026
'CARNAVAL DE LUZ' - New Album In November.
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The band's first studio album in nine years will be released on November 13th. Silencio, second track from...

24 SEP 2026
It’s Arrived (with a surprise)
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVES

The Days of Ash Propaganda Magazine & EP bundle is here… complete with a bonus Easter Lily edition...

17 SEP 2026
'2027 Persons of the Year'
HEARTS + MINDS

Band to be honoured by Musicares for 'five decades of musical achievement and humanitarian service'

10 SEP 2026
’Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah’
COMPILATIONS

Release of Pogues cover today, Friday, from stellar line up for '20th Century Paddy - The Songs Of...

28 AUG 2026
'Fireflies'
COLLABORATIONS

Out today!  Martin Garrix teams up with U2 on new track 'Fireflies', debuted live with Edge at Tomorrowland...

24 JUL 2026
'In a place called Mexico…'

Behind-the-scenes with band and crew on the shoot for 'Street of Dreams'.

17 JUL 2026
Street Of Dreams - The New Single is Here.
SINGLES

Listen to Street of Dreams, the first single from the band's upcoming studio album.

07 JUL 2026
’BALLROOM BOOM’
TV

'Ballroom Boom' screening at the Galway Film Fleadh this Thursday.

07 JUL 2026
What a wonder. They're calling it "The Obamalisk"
BONO

Bono and Edge performing City of Blinding Lights at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in...

22 JUN 2026
SHOWING 12 OF 4770 STORIES KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE ↓

Related Topic

LATEST COMMENTS

THE NEW ALBUM
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The new album. Out 13 November 2026.

PRE-ORDER

SUBSCRIBE TO U2.COM

Special editorial and video, exclusive newsletters and events, 25% coupon for the shop and first access to ticket sales when the band tour.