U2 Set For ’Live 8’ in London
U2 Set For ’Live 8’ in London
U2 Set For ’Live 8’ in London

U2 Set For 'Live 8' in London

U2 are among a stellar cast of acts set to take part in Live 8 aiming to raise awareness of global poverty.

31 May 2005
U2 are among a stellar cast of acts set to take part in Live 8 aiming to raise awareness of global poverty.

Five Live 8 concerts will take place on 2 July in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and Philadelphia. U2 will play at the show in Hyde Park, London - and they will appear early on the bill for the simple reason that they are also taking their 'Vertigo' 05' Tour to Vienna that evening.

Also on the bill in London are Coldplay, Robbie Williams, Sting, Paul McCartney, Elton John, REM and another dozen great acts.

In Philadelphia Will Smith will host a show featuring Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, P Diddy and Stevie Wonder.
Jamiroquai, Craig David, Youssou N'Dour and others will be performing in Paris; in Berlin the line-up includes Crosby, Stills and Nash, Brian Wilson and Lauryn Hill while in Rome the acts signed up to date feature Duran Duran and Faith Hill.

Bob Geldof, who is organising Live 8 - as he did the original Live Aid in 1985 - said that the aim this time is not so much about charity as about raising awareness of Make Poverty History, a campaign to get the richest nations to cancel debt and increase aid to developing countries, and to promote fair trade.

"There is more than a chance that the boys and girls with guitars finally get to tilt the world on its axis."

For the complete line up on each of the five concerts, check the BBC's
report on todays announcement and to get a good understanding of what the Make Poverty History campaign is all about they also have an excellent summary of the arguments.

Make Poverty History is the sister campaign to the ONE campaign which U2 have been promoting every night on the first leg of their US tour.

More news as we get it. Meantime, put July 2nd in your diaries - if you can't get a ticket, get to a TV with your mates!

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 ↓

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.