Live8 To Arrange Concert In Johannesburg

Due to unprecedented criticism of a lack of African performers for Live8’s multi-city concerts; Bob Geldof has announced an extra show to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He is set to announce the line-up any day soon along with two other recently added shows in Tokyo and Toronto.

The three newly introduced events, plus the previously announced shows in London, Paris, Berlin Rome and Philadelphia, will take the shows up to the apt number of eight and will hopefully quieten some of the voices of dissent surrounding the events. Geldof has been derided from numerous different quarters for his predominately white western line-ups. For example, in London, where Coldplay, Madonna, Elton John, U2 and Pink Floyd are set to play for thousands.

Geldof’s attempt to incorporate more African artists at a Live8 sister show in Cornwall named, ‘Africa Calling,’ has only infuriated his dissenters more. The show will also take place on July 2nd and will feature African stars Youssou N’Dour, Angelique Kidjo, Slaif Keita and Thomas Mapfumo. But has been dubbed “a terribly token gesture,” hence the announcement of the Johannesburg show as reported by Buffalo News today.

Here’s hoping that the South African gig will appease some of the discord and put the focus firmly back on the issues which sparked Live8 in the first place.