Live 8 Criticism Is Nonsense, Says Ure

By Tony Jones, PA

Live 8 organiser Midge Ure defended the event today against criticism that not enough African artists are taking part. The musician described the accusation as “a nonsense” hours after the text competition for London’s concert closed. The former singer with 80s group Ultravox said there was an “African feel” to Live 8.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the musician said: “The list (of artists) we’ve got is just fantastic. If you can imagine Comic Relief live, that’s what it’s going to be. “It will be poignant, it will be funny, it will be entertaining, it will be musical, it’s a celebration.” Asked to comment about the claim that there is a shortage of African stars taking part in the event, Ure replied: “That’s a nonsense.

“When I was asked to come on board a few weeks ago, the first people I went to was Peter Gabriel’s Womad, which is the the World of Music Arts and Dance, and they were the first people to commit to coming along and having African artists perform at it. This is a much more eclectic concert than anything else that’s happening anywhere else around the world."

He added that Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour was involved and “there’s very much an African feel to this”.