Trois questions à Bob Geldof

LE MONDE 18.06.05 12h01

1. Le Live Aid de 1985, organisé pour venir en aide à l'Ethiopie, avait réuni les stars pop et rock de l'époque sans convier le moindre artiste africain, ce qui avait beaucoup choqué. Le Live 8 n'en a convié qu'un seul cette année, le chanteur sénégalais Youssou N'Dour.

Je corrige ce que vous venez de dire : à l'époque, un tout petit nombre de personnes s'étaient plaintes. Ensuite, nous venons d'ajouter un concert à Johannesburg avec des artistes sud-africains, comme les Mahotella Queens et Lucky Dube.

Le Live 8 n'est pas un événement culturel, c'est un événement politique. Il nous faut donc les artistes les plus connus pour réunir un maximum de gens et exercer une pression politique. Le critère, c'est la popularité et les ventes. Les spectateurs veulent voir ceux qui vendent des millions de disques dans leur pays. En France, c'est Pascal Obispo. Le groupe Snow Patrol ne jouera pas en France, où il est à peine connu, mais aux Etats-Unis, où il cartonne.

2. Les artistes qui participent à Live 8 ne vendent pas tous des disques par millions. Par ailleurs, la Cap-Verdienne Cesaria Evora est connue dans le monde entier et l'Ivoirien Alpha Blondy sur le continent africain.

La réalité est que les artistes africains vendent beaucoup moins de disques. En Afrique, les gamins n'écoutent pas Baaba Maal -chanteur sénégalais-, mais 50 Cent et Eminem -rappeurs américains-.

Vous avez une vision très romantique de l'Afrique. Y êtes-vous déjà allé ? Je n'ai pas envie, moi, d'entrer dans une logique politiquement correcte, en faisant attention à ce que tout le monde soit représenté, les femmes, les Africains, etc. Ce n'est pas le lieu pour la diversité culturelle.

J'aime les musiques du monde, mais mes goûts personnels ne comptent pas. Peter Gabriel s'occupe de l'aspect culturel avec son festival en Cornouailles, Damon Albarn -chanteur des groupes Blur et Gorillaz- aussi.

3. Vous avez demandé que des concerts soient organisés en Afrique. N'y a-t-il pas un problème de moyens ?

Non, au Kenya, en Ethiopie, la mobilisation pour ces concerts a déjà commencé. Ils ont de bons soundsystems et de grandes scènes là-bas.

Propos recueillis par Bruno Lesprit

Article paru dans l'édition du 19.06.05

Essaouira : Plus de 70 artistes internationaux invités

Publié par I. Fattah le Vendredi 17 juin à 09:20:06 GMT

Le Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du monde s’est imposé depuis ses débuts comme un laboratoire de fusion musicale, intégrant des courants d’expression et de créativité musicales, venus des quatre coins du monde.

Cette année, une programmation toujours plus riche et diversifiée fera la place à des artistes de renommée internationale aux styles éclectiques qui échappent bien souvent à toute classification.

Ainsi le Français Magic Malik, et sa flûte traversière magique, le percussionniste turco-arménien Arto Tunçboyaciyan, le guitariste français Louis Winsberg, le batteur autodidacte d’origine congolaise Roger Biwandu, le bassiste Étienne M’Bappé, et enfin l’as des tablas singapourien Nantha Kumar seront présents, en fusion avec les Gnaoua, tous avides de nouvelles expériences.

Huit groupes étrangers font également le déplacement, depuis l’Ile de La Réunion pour Danyel Waro, dont nous attendons tous les impressionnantes sonorités live de la culture maloya. Puis la diva malienne Naïny Diabaté et ses étonnants percussionnistes, le duo de choc sénégalo-suédois d’Ellika et Solo, le curieux et étonnant mélange berbéro-celtique de Thalweg, le jazz pluriel de Bozilo - nouveau projet de Karim Ziad, Julien Lourau et Boyan Z -, la douceur flamenca de Jaleo…

Ou encore l’expérience égyptienne de l’ingénieux Fathy Salama avec les Gnaoua Soudanais emmenés par le virtuose musicien soudanais du “rango”, Hassan Bargamoun. Le festival laissera le mot de la fin à la star sénégalaise Youssou N’Dour et son orchestre, le Super Étoile de Dakar, pour une fête 100% africaine et un finish attendu avec impatience par de nombreux fans.

Concerts scène Moulay El Hassan : à partir de 17h30 (sauf jeudi 23/06 : concert d’ouverture à 18h30)Concerts scène Bab Marrakech : à partir de 18hConcerts acoustiques : Chez Kébir et Dar Souiri, les 23, 24 et 25/06 à partir de minuit

Live 8 Africa competition begins

Tickets for the Live 8 Africa Calling concert at the Eden Project have become available via a competition running online, by SMS and by post.

Entrants must answer the question "Where is the Eden Project?", choosing from Cornwall, London or Gleneagles. The competition is open to all UK and Channel Island residents aged 16 and over. It closes at midnight on 24 June. The concert, featuring a variety of African performers, will be held on 2 July, the same day as the Live 8 shows. The line-up of Live 8 Africa Calling was announced amid criticism that the Live 8 concerts, which aim to highlight world poverty, featured too few black artists.

It will be hosted by Peter Gabriel and headlined by Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour. Other African musicians taking part include Angelique Kidjo, Maryam Mursal, Salif Keita and Thomas Mapfumo.

Entries

Those wanting tickets can text their answer, A for Cornwall, B for London or C for Gleneagles, to 83008 at a cost of £1.50 plus the charge of the text. Entries can also be lodged online at www.live8.edenbookings.com or by sending a postcard to the Eden Project.

When the concert line-up was announced, Peter Gabriel said it would give African artists the chance to be heard. Kidjo said it showed that African input was needed as part of the programme of gigs around the world. "We need to be a part of it. You couldn't help us without us," she said.

BBC Radio 3 will broadcast from the concert as part of the Live 8 coverage. Live 8 shows have been scheduled in cities including London, Paris, Rome, Philadelphia, Tokyo and Johannesburg. They are timed to take place days before the G8 summit of world leaders at Gleneagles, Scotland.

A nice gift to boot for Father's Day

In celebration of Father's Day (yes, it's this weekend, people), Rhino is reminding people that the video for Peter Gabriel's "Father & Son" is featured as part of the Peter Gabriel: Play (Rhino, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP) video collection.

A pretty spiffy disc, that is, and a nice gift to boot.

concerts contre la pauvreté à quelques jours du G8

Live 8: 8 concerts contre la pauvreté à quelques jours du G8

...

Petit accroc dans cette unanimité apparente autour de Live 8, le chanteur sénégalais Youssou N'Dour s'est dit »choqué» d'être le seul artiste africain à se produire sur scène à cette occasion.

»Je suis choqué par la décision de ne pas programmer d'autre artiste africain que moi à l'occasion du Live 8», estime Youssou N'Dour dans un communiqué transmis vendredi à l'AFP par la maison de disques Warner Music.

»Je jouerai à Londres et à Paris le même jour et j'invite (la chanteuse malienne) Rokia Traore à me rejoindre sur scène à Paris», indique en outre le Sénégalais.

»Peter Gabriel est en train d'organiser un concert en parallèle avec de nombreux artistes africains le 2 juillet dans les Cornouailles, je ferai le maximum pour m'y rendre également», conclut le communiqué de Youssou N'Dour.

Interrogé à ce sujet lors de sa conférence de presse à Paris,Geldof a répondu: »Cette manifestation est un événement politique. Nous avons donc besoin de gros artistes, qui réalisent de grosses ventes» pour attirer l'attention de l'opinion.

Lors du Live Aid il y a 20 ans, certains avaient déjà déploré l'absence d'artistes de pays du Sud au profit de grandes stars de pays développés.

Deviendrez-vous un assistant officiel du Mondial 2006 ?

L'artiste André Heller cherchez 8500 Berlinois pour son Gala "Fifa 2006"

Oliver Ohmann, Berlin, Vendredi, 17 juin. 2005 18:51 heures

Rêvez vous d'apparaître en direct devant 2 milliards de spectateurs ? Pas de problème. Nous vous expliquons comme ça marche car Berlin cherche 8500 Superstars !Le 8 juin 2006 le monde regardera vers Berlin et le monde doit être enchanté.André Heller, 58ans, produira dans le stade olympique le grand Gala d'ouverture du Mondial 2006.

Déjà en 1984 des millions de Berlinois ont été séduit par l'artiste viennois avec les "théâtres de feu" devant le Reichstag.

Il nous dit : "cette fois-ci, je prevois un feu d'artifice des sens. Une revue poetique qui montre le Berlin ouvert sur le monde. Son histoire, ses hommes et leurs rêves. Les Berlinois doivent être eux-mêmes le point central du show de 90 minutes."

A partir du 1er juillet, Heller va chercher 8500 acteurs et assistants pour le Gala.

Qui peut participer ?

Tous les Berlinois et Brandebourgeois à partir de14 ans, s'ils sont peu sportifs.

Heller : "La passion est la plus importante. Nous repeterons souvent la nuit jusqu'à 3 heures, avec le vent et les intempeteries et nous n'en donnerons pas d'argent , seulement une médaille d'honneur. Pour tout cela vous pourrez collaborer avec l'un des meilleurs artistes du monde, le directeur musical qui est mon ami : Peter Gabriel"

À partir du 1er juillet, vous pouvez remplir le formulaire de candidature en ligne sur : www.FIFAworldcup.com/gala.

Vous devrez prouver que vous aurait le temps pour effectuer jusqu'à 20 dates de repetition.

Le premier casting commence en septembre, les repetitions en mars 2006 .

Papa Wemba :Le virage décisif à 56 ans

17/06/05

Papa Wemba a fêté ses 56 ans le 14 juin.

Et sa voix (haut perchée) n’a pas pris une seule ride. Même si en 2004, le rossignol du Kassaï a frôlé le pire de très près. Wemba a eu officiellement 56 ans, le mardi 14 juin dernier.

Cette date anniversaire n’est peut-être pas exacte puisqu’en 1949 (année de naissance de Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, l’état civil, dans la colonie belge du Congo, n’était qu’embryonnaire.

Ce qui est par contre une certitude, c’est qu’à 56 ans, l’artiste tente de ramener sa carrière musicale dans des eaux plus calmes après de très fortes turbulences dues à ses problèmes avec la justice.17 février 2003, la légende vivante de la rumba congolaise est interpellée par la police française, à son domicile, dans la banlieue parisienne.

Wemba est accusé d’avoir organisé, sous le couvert de ses activités musicales, un trafic d’immigrants clandestins. Très rapidement, il est mis en examen et incarcéré à la prison de Fleury Mérogis.En juin 2003, il est libéré non sans avoir payé une caution de 20 millions de F CFA. Mais l’engrenage judiciaire ne s’arrête pas pour autant. Le 25 octobre 2004, Wemba comparait au tribunal de Bobigny, dans la banlieue parisienne.

Lorsque le procureur requiert 10 ans de prison et environ 500 millions de F CFA d’amende contre l’idole congolaise, c’est de nouveau le grand émoi chez ses fans. L’énoncé du verdict en novembre 2004 est pour Wemba un énorme soulagement. Malgré sa condamnation à trente mois de prison, dont quatre fermes, et 6,5 millions de F CFA d’amende, il jubile et repart libre chez lui (il avait déjà purgé sa peine en détention préventive).

«Cette décision est un grand soulagement car enfin la justice a tranché et surtout je ne retourne pas en prison. Mon art va reprendre le dessus», se réjouissait-il. Mais pour Wemba les choses ne seront plus jamais pareilles. Au niveau de sa foi et de son métier, en tout cas.

L’artiste aborde un nouveau tournant de sa carrière, un tournant très spirituel. 35 ans après avoir participé à la naissance de Zaïko Langa Langa, l’un des principaux groupes zaïrois des années 1970, 27 ans après avoir créé Viva la musica, son orchestre et 11 ans après sa rencontre et sa collaboration avec le musicien anglais Peter Gabriel.

Une collaboration qui a vu naître trois albums dont l’inoubliable Emotion. Un disque qui lui a valu notamment un disque d’or au Etats-Unis. Il sort sous peu un coffret CD/ VCD intitulé Ba zonkion. Wemba a été sollicité par Singuila pour intervenir sur son prochain album…

Usher A.

African artists finally get chance to grace Live 8 stage

"Why are we having this controversy. If there were not big stars there would not be the attention of the media. What is important is that we all work together against poverty" Angelique Kidgo

17/06/2005

Benin singer
Angelique Kidgo

The Eden Project in Cornwall has been confirmed as the venue for the African- Calling concert highlighting the Live 8 campaign for essential Aid and trade in Africa.

The Eden Project in Cornwall has been confirmed as the venue for the African- Calling concert highlighting the Live 8 campaign for essential Aid and trade in Africa.

The upcoming concert devised by former Genesis star, Peter Gabriel, hopes to challenge criticism over the under-representation of black artists at next month’s Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, which set up by 1984’s Live Aid organisers Bob Geldof and former Ultrabox singer, Midge Ure.

The global event will showcase performances from artists, such as Senegal’s Youssou N’ dour, Thomas Mapfumo and the Black United from Zimbabwe and Mali singer, Salif Keita.

Peter Gabriel who strongly advocates world music said he always wanted to see more African artists in other Live 8 promotions, especially as they would be the most relevant performers to relate the African musical spirit to world-wide audiences.

According to the Guardian, the Womad co-founder is very enthusiastic about the concert and sees it as the right attribute in fighting Africa’s desperate needs, rather than calculating record sales.
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Solid State Logic purchased by Peter Gabriel and David Engelke

Industry visionaries acquire the world’s leading console company

Oxford, England 16 June 2005

Solid State Logic is pleased to announce that the company’s assets have been acquired by a joint venture established by musician and technologist, Peter Gabriel, and broadcast industry entrepreneur, David Engelke. The company, which will trade as Solid State Logic, will continue to design and manufacture mixing consoles and related audio technology at its Begbroke, Oxford headquarters.

The principal investors bring considerable experience of both the company’s main markets: music recording and broadcast.

Peter Gabriel’s background as an artist is well known, but he has had a long involvement with technology. Syco Systems, which he co-founded, developed the ‘Tablet’, one of the world’s first purpose-built digital audio workstations. Real World Multi Media, part of Peter’s Real World Group, won awards for both technological and creative innovation. More recently, he has had success with OD2 (On Demand Distribution), now the leading European platform provider for the distribution of on-line music. At the same time his many years as artist and studio owner at Real World in Wiltshire have given him a passion for the possibilities of technology, and how it can serve and transform the process of music making and post production.

American David Engelke, formerly also an SSL console owner, has been involved with production and broadcast companies including Pinnacle Systems, Montage Group, and Digital Editing Services and invented several widely adopted technologies in the broadcast industry. Technologies developed by him and his engineering teams have earned them three EMMY Awards from the US National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and an OSCAR from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

David Engelke, who currently heads up Broadcast Devices LLC, spoke about his enthusiasm for the company, “The Solid State Logic brand stands for excellence like no other pro audio company in the world. We are investing to strengthen the company and bring these brand values to a broader market through continued innovative product development.”

Peter Gabriel added: “I have been a long time fan of SSL. We’re very excited about the opportunity of working with the company and to have a chance to participate in its future and its product development. Real World has enjoyed a close relationship with the company for many years.”

Peter Gabriel and David Engelke have recruited an experienced management team for their joint venture. Antony David, SSL’s Sales Director in the 80’s and early 90’s, then head of Pro Audio at Sony Broadcast & Professional Europe, is Managing Director; Piers Plaskitt, previously President of SSL Inc and President Sales & Marketing at Euphonix, is Group Commercial Director; and Chris Smith is Group Finance Director.

For further information visit http://www.solid-state-logic.com/

Gabriel Defends Geldof's White' Live8 gigs

16/06/2005 17:52

British rocker Peter Gabriel has leaped to Sir Bob Geldof's defence for supposedly ignoring black acts in his Live 8 line-ups.

The Sledgehammer star, who is curating Live 8's offshoot show Africa Calling at the Eden Project in south-west England, insists he can understand Geldof's choice of artists, which includes globally celebrated stars such as Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney, U2 and Stewie Wonder.

Last week (ends10Jun05), Blur frontman Damon Albarn attacked the Live 8 gigs for failing to include African artists among the performers, especially as the concert aims to raise awareness of poverty on the developing continent.

He says, "Bob's sole criteria is that he has to keep millions of eyes around the world glued to the television and he felt if it was some remote part of China or Latin America, if it was an unknown artist ... people might switch off.

"So if they didn't sell 10 million records they weren't going to be invited. I don't agree that's the right thing to do, but I fully understand."

Live 8 et Africa Calling cohabitent le 2 juillet

Salif Keita, left, embraces Youssou N'Dour during a concert in Dakar, Senegal in this March 12, 2005 file photo. (AP/Cassandra Vinograd)

Paris le 16/06/2005

Le 2 juillet, MTV diffuse les interviews et des documents exclusifs liées au Live8, cette vaste rencontre musicale organisée par Bob Geldof. L'ancien frontman des Boomtown Rats, fut déjà à l'initiative du Live Aid de 1985, visant à aider la population éthiopienne, en proie à la famine.

Vingt ans ont passé et Geldof remet ça, le 2 juillet prochain, à l'occasion du Live8, une série de cinq concerts monumentaux, ayant lieu en Europe (London, Berlin, Paris et Rome) et à Philadelphie. Ils visent à éveiller la conscience des 8 grandes puissances économiques mondiales, sur la nécessité de faire sortir l'Afrique de la pauvreté endémique, dans laquelle elle s'enfonce inéxorablement.

C'est ainsi que cet événement musical majeur, a lieu quelques jours avant la rencontre du G8 en Ecosse du 6 au 8 juillet. Le G8 étant ce groupe de superpuissances, dont la rencontre se fait une fois par an, ce qui attise la colère des anti et alter-mondialistes de tous bords, qui ne voient ici, qu'un club fermé de gens très riches, discutant de leurs intérêts seuls.

Geldof toujours alerté par la misère du tiers monde, invite le 2 juillet, les plus grosses stars de la musique internationale, dont Madonna, Paul McCartney, U2 ou Stevie Wonder. Petit bémol de taille, soulevé par Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), concernant l'absence remarquée d'artistes africains, directement concernés par le Live8.

C'est ainsi que Peter Gabriel organise en parallèle au Live8, l'Africa Calling, un concert devant accueillir entre 5 et 10.000 spectateurs dans le sud de l'Angleterre, avec Youssou N'Dour, Angelique Kidjo, Maryam Mursal ou Salif Keita en têtes d'affiche.

Il faut ajouter un 7è concert Live8, devant avoir lieu le 6 juillet à Edimbourg, en Ecosse, au même moment que la rencontre économique du G8.

Corto is born

Hommage à une amie

Corto est né le vendredi 10 juin

Corto was born Friday June 10

Out of Zorb ?

Live 8 At The Eden Project Confirmed

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The Eden Project, the biological research and events centre in Cornwall, is to stage a major Live 8 concert on July 2 under the banner of ‘Africa Calling’. The event will be ‘curated’ and hosted by ex-Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel and his WOMAD organisation, alongside Senegalese music legend Youssou N'Dour.

Artists expected to appear include:

• West African vocalist / songwriter Angelique Kidjo
• Somalia's female vocalist, Maryam Mursal
• Salif Keita, known as ‘The Golden Voice of Africa’
• Zimbabwe-born musician and political spokesman Thomas Mapfumo with his group the Blacks Unlimited
• Tinariwen, a Touareg group from the southern Sahara
• Award-winning Senegalese hip hop group Daara J
• Arab-Andalusian singer and musician Akim El Sikameya
• South African singers and dancers Shikisha
• Kenyan lyre player and singer Ayub Ogada
• Modou Diouf & O Fogum, bringing Sabar drum rhythms and dance.

Eden's chief executive Tim Smit commented, "We are huge fans of Live 8 and the agenda that is so brilliantly driven by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. The idea to host the concert came out of a conversation with Oxfam representatives when we hosted one of the Make Poverty History events at Eden in May."

Transmissions of the gig will be made from the event as part of the Live 8 media coverage.

WOMAD was founded in 1982 by Peter Gabriel and WOMAD's artistic director Thomas Brooman with the aim of bringing artists together from all over the world to reach new audiences. Since 1982 WOMAD has presented more than 150 festivals and events in 26 countries and islands.

For further information on the event at Eden and ticket allocation details go to http://www.live8.edenbookings.com/. Live 8's London leg takes place in Hyde Park on July 2 and inlcudes performances from U2, Coldplay, Paul McCartney, Muse, The Killers and many more. For more information check out http://www.live8live.com/

Revealed (at last): Live8's African artists

By Cahal Milmo

16 June 2005

The rock star Peter Gabriel backed critics of the lack of African artists in next month's Live8 concert yesterday as he unveiled details of a separate show featuring performers from the continent.

The Africa Calling concert - held at the Eden Project in Cornwall to coincide with the other Live8 events on 2 July - will provide a global stage for more than a dozen leading African musicians, with television pictures being transmitted around the world.
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The decision to use the Eden Project, the environmental visitor attraction situated under a series of "bio-domes" in a disused quarry, was made after Gabriel and Ure were approached by its founder, Tim Smit.

The performers

• Youssou N'Dour (Senegal)
  
  
• Angélique Kidjo (Benin)
  
  
• Maryam Mursal (Somalia)
  
  
• Salif Keita (Mali)
  
  
• Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited (Zimbabwe)
  
  
• Tinariwen (Touareg group based in Mali)
  
  
• Daara J (hip-hop group from Senegal)
  
  
• Akim El Sikameya (Algeria)
  
  
• Shikisha (South Africa)
  
  
• Ayub Ogada (Kenya)
  
  
• Modou Diouf and O Fogum (Senegal)

African-Only Live 8

Eden Project to Stage African-Only Live 8 Concert

Wed 15 Jun 2005 4:42pm (UK)

Midge Ure and Peter Gabriel announced details today of an African-only Live 8 concert to be held at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Africa Calling will take place on July 2 at the same time as the main event in Hyde Park.The concert, hosted by Gabriel and Senegalese star Youssou N’Dour, will feature a bill made up entirely of African artists.

Bob Geldof and the Live 8 organisers have been criticised for omitting African artists from the Hyde Park line-up.Blur frontman Damon Albarn said the bill, featuring Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney and Robbie Williams, was “so damn Anglo-Saxon”.

And Gabriel, founder of Womad (World Of Music, Art and Dance), said he agreed. “I talked to Bob about it and I do think it would be better to have a larger African presence in Hyde Park,” he told a press conference in London.

“He made the point that in places like China, for example, if there’s an act that comes on the TV that they don’t know – whether from Africa or Germany – they may well switch off. He wants to keep people watching.

“I don’t agree that’s the right criteria but there it is.”

But Gabriel said the Eden Project concert would give African artists an opportunity to be heard. He said: “We have a chance to do more to redress the balance. Africa Calling will be about voices of Africa undiluted.

“The artists will get the opportunity, because the event isn’t televised, to speak more freely and play longer sets. So I think there are advantages from separating it, although it wouldn’t have been my first choice.”

But African performer Angelique Kidjo said she had no problem with the Hyde Park line-up.Why are we having this controversy?” she asked. “They are big rock and roll stars and without them we would not have the media interest. What is important is that we all work together against poverty.”

Ure said he planned initially for the African artists to appear at Scotland’s Murrayfield gig on July 6. “When Bob very unceremoniously announced a few weeks ago that I was in charge of Live 8 for Scotland, my first move was to approach Womad. I have done many Womad concerts and they are fantastic events.Initially I asked for them to put African artists on the bill in Edinburgh and this has grown from that idea.”

The Africa Calling concert will be held on the stage in the Eden Arena with the world’s biggest greenhouses as the backdrop.Eden Project founder Tim Smit said: “We are very excited to feel part of something which we hope will be historic.“We hope it will be an event at which people say, ’I was there and I will remember it until the day I die’.”

Transmissions will be made from the event by the BBC as part of the Live 8 celebrations.The bill will include famous African names including Maryam Mursal, Salif Keita and Thomas Mapfumo.

N’Dour hopes to echo Phil Collins at the original Live Aid by performing in Cornwall, London and Paris. Ticket details will be announced in the next few days.

Africa Calling - Live8 at the Eden Project

Africa Calling - Live8 at the Eden Project

The Eden Project is to stage a major Live8 concert on July 2nd under the banner of "Africa Calling" and programmed and presented in association with WOMAD and its co-founder Peter Gabriel, together with Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour.

The evening itself will be hosted by Peter Gabriel, who has championed World Music for the past 25 years. Youssou N'Dour and Peter Gabriel have invited many of their favourite African artists to perform at the event.

The concert will be held on the stage in the Eden arena with the world's biggest greenhouses providing a spectacular backdrop in the crater.

This outstanding line-up will bring the spectacular Eden site alive with unbeatable African party spirit. Transmissions will be made from the event by the BBC as part of the Live8 celebration.

Further announcements regarding the event and how to register an interest will be made on this site shortly (Our Box Office has no additional information at this stage).

Le retour de Tears For Fears

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Les Beatles sont-ils votre principale influence ?

Nous adorons Sergent Pepper Lonely’s Heart Club Band, mais aussi Led Zeppelin.

A la fin des années 70, plusieurs grands albums le Remain in Light des Talking Heads, Scary Monster de Bowie ou le Third Album de Peter Gabriel nous ont donné envie d’enregistrer nous-mêmes.
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Eden African gig to be revealed

Peter Gabriel has been involved in organising the event

Singer Youssou N'Dour will join Midge Ure and Peter Gabriel to announce details of the Live 8 Africa Calling concert at the Eden Project.

More details about the line-up - which will showcase African artists - will be revealed on Wednesday afternoon.
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Happy Father's Day : "Father,Son"

Review-Peter Gabriel's Play The Videos DVD

If you watch VH1 Classic you are sure to have seen the commercials running advertising Peter Gabriel's Play-The Videos. The DVD includes 26 Peter Gabriel videos plus bonus footage.

Peter Gabriel was once a member of a little group named Genesis. You didn't know that. Yep, he was. When he left, a guy named Phil Collins started singing lead. Don't know if you ever heard of him.

Peter Gabriel has been in the music business for quite some time. While Genesis would have a string of early 80's hit, it would take a synth-pop song with a wicked video to break Peter Gabriel in the U.S. "Shock The Monkey," was the first song and video that made Peter Gabriel a household name in the U.S.

Peter Gabriel hit the video jackpot with the release of his mid-80's before it's time video "Sledgehammer." Watching this video nearly 20 years after it was released, you might find yourself thinking, "What's the big deal?" But back then this was a really groundbreaking video which won Peter lots of awards. This video was followed up by "Big Time" which was similar in nature to "Sledgehammer."

Peter tuned it down and was very simple for the video for his ballad, "In Your Eyes."

Peter was ready to experiment again with his 1992 video "Digging in the Dirt." This video is amazing, as is the song.

Play includes Peter's well known videos as well as some of the lesser known videos. The sound quality is amazing. The DVD also includes the touching black and white video for his song "Father and Son." You can check out the virtual Father's Day card which plays this video here

Peter Gabriel dirigera les festivités inaugurales du Mondial 2006

Lundi 13 juin 2005 13:04

DPA BERLIN

Peter Gabriel, ex membre du groupe musical Genesis, sera responsable de la partie musicale des festivités inaugurales du Mondial 2006 de Football en Allemagne, comme il sera annoncé dans son édition demain du journal allemand "Tagespiegel".

Le périodique se référe à des informations du comité organisateur et indique que Gabriel, fondateur de "Genesis" et qui agit maintenant comme soliste, a accepté l'offre que lui ont fait les organisateurs.

Les festivités inaugurales du Mondial 2006 en Allemagne, auront lieu le 8 juin au Stade Olympique de Berlin. Le match inaugural sera joué le 9 juin à Munich entre la sélection allemande et un adversaire à confirmer.

Eden goes African for Live 8 gigs

Eden has hosted rock concerts for four years

The Eden Project is taking part in the international Live 8 concerts being held across the globe next month.

Managers at the environmental attraction are talking to Live 8 and Peter Gabriel, of world music body Womad, about a concert on 2 July.
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Outcry over lack of African artists at Live8

Picture / Reuters

14.06.05 4.00pm By Ciar Byrne

Bob Geldof is under fire for the lack of African performers in the Live8 lineup.

The organisers of Live8 are to stage a concert for African performers at the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, but have failed to quell fierce criticism over the predominantly white and Western line-up of the main events.

Midge Ure met Peter Gabriel, founder of the world music festival Womad, who is involved in organising the Cornish concert and the Eden Project's chief executive, Tim Smitt, yesterday to discuss details of Africa Calling.

It will be on July 2 at the same time as concerts in France, Italy, Germany and the US.

A seventh concert, also featuring African musicians, is planned for Johannesburg following criticism from the likes of the Blur and Gorillaz frontman, Damon Albarn, the DJ Andy Kershaw and the Senegalese star Baaba Maal over the lack of involvement of African artists.

Gabriel said: "I talked at some length with Bob about this. I understand his criteria of trying to keep the largest audience around the world switched on and looking at issues about Africa through the artists selling the most records. "I would have done it a different way - I think it's important to be seen to be allowing the voices of Africa to be heard directly. A lot of artists don't feel this is a perfect situation, but respect the aims and goals. It's a difficult enough job trying to do what they want to do."

The involvement of Womad is a u-turn for the Live8 organisers.

Last week, a spokesman said: "Bob Geldof's intention was to get headline-grabbing shows full of people who fill stadiums and arenas. This is not Womad. We are not doing an arts festival."

Ure said yesterday that Live8 would have an "African feel".

He told BBC Breakfast News that it was "a nonsense" that there was a shortage of African stars.

He said: "When I was asked to come on board a few weeks ago, the first people I went to was Peter Gabriel's Womad and they were the first people to commit to coming along and having African artists perform at it."

He added that the Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour was due to play at the Live8 concert in London and the one in Paris.
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Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du monde d'Essaouira

Plus de 200 Artistes Marocains sur le Devant de la Scène

Communiqué 11/06/2005

Source :http://www.emarrakech.info

Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du monde d'Essaouira

Durant 4 jours, les musiciens marocains occuperont le devant de la scène d'Essaouira.

À commencer par les maâlems Gnaoua qui, pour cette 8ème édition, ne seront pas moins de 21 à se produire sur 7 sites du festival.
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Youssou N'Dour sera en clôture du festival.

It's Token8 !

Margin8'ed: Baaba Maal

by Lester Holloway
13/6/2005

LIVE8 have announced that Africa's top artists are to perform... in Cornwall.

Token8, as the event will inevitably branded, comes after an avalanche of criticism about the mostly-white line-up for the main London gig.

International superstars like Baaba Maal and Jamie Catto won't be performing at Hyde Park, but they will be on stage at the Eden Project.

Just days after Live8 insisted their mega-concert was "not Womad", an annual world music festival, the organisers have turned to the founder of Womad, Peter Gabriel.

"Token8" promises to feature the creme de la creme of African artists, but the event was overshadowed by news of another Live8 super-concert, this time in Edinburgh.

Once again the line-up at the Murrayfield rugby stadium looks 'hideously white'. Robbie Williams, Travis, Snow Patrol, Dido, Annie Lennox, The Thrills, Ronan Keating, and McFly are set to headline at the 21,000-seated gig.

In a concession to diversity Lenny Henry is ear-marked to entertain at the Scottish stadium. Main organiser Sir Bob Geldof was quoted as joking that he will be the "ethnic Irishman" at Murrayfield.

There may not have been room for African artists at Hyde Park or Edinburgh, but there was space found for a late addition to the bill in London, as it was announced that ageing rockers Pink Floyd are to reform for one last performance.

There are also unconfirmed reports that UB40 will bring their brand of reggae music to a worldwide TV audience of a billion

Give your support to fight AIDS!

You can contribute to Nelson Mandela's fight against AIDS by donating money to the 46664 campaign.

Donate now and watch the music performances from the 46664 ARCTIC Concert. 46664 ARCTIC is a unique music event that brings together artists from the southern and northern hemispheres and across the world to help Nelson Mandela in his call for change and action in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The event takes place in Tromso, Norway on June 11.

With your donation, you can watch it live or watch it anytime at your leisure for up to 1 month after your purchase. click here

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”.

Peter Gabriel fait honneur à Mandela

Nelson Mandela et Peter Gabriel en Norvège.

L'ex-président sud-africain Nelson Mandela (86 ans) a recruté ce week-end en Arctique les sons chauds du rock pour apporter plus d'aide contre le SIDA.

Mandela a voyagé depuis l'Afrique du sud avec son épouse Mme Graca Machel jusqu'à la ville norvégienne de Tromsø au nord du cercle polaire, pour participer en tant qu'hôte d'honneur au concert "Arctic 46664".

A cette occasionn le chanteur britannique Peter Gabriel a fait honneur au gagnant du prix Nobel de la paix, en apportant spécialement en Arctique un nouvelle chanson. (information erronée ! erroneous information !)

L'Ex-chanteur de Led Zeppelin Robert Plant a réchauffé les 17.000 spectateurs du concert en plein air avec le classique "Whole Lotta Love".

Pour Mandela et son épouse, les organisateurs avaient dréssé une tente bien chauffée, où la princesse norvégienne Mette-Marit (31 ans) rendu visite au couple.

La ville polaire avec un soleil rayonnant et des températures de 17 degrés et plus a aussi offert des conditions agréables.

Peter Gabriel performs during 46664 Arctic concert

(AP Photo/ Jan-Morten Bjornbakk/SCANPIX)

Peter Gabriel performs during a star-studded AIDS benefit concert in the Norwegian Arctic city of Tromsoe Saturday, June 11, 2005.

The 46664 Arctic Concert, named for Mandela's prisoner number during his 27 years in South African detention, is part of a series of AIDS charity concerts and has drawn such stars as Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Robert Plant, Brian May, Angelique Kidjo and the group Razorlight.

Geldof has enlisted Peter Gabriel to find African acts for Live8

Geldof does U-turn on African acts for Live8

By Anthony Barnes
12 June 2005

Bob Geldof revealed last night that he has enlisted fellow musician Peter Gabriel to find African acts for Live8, defusing a damaging row about the continent's acts being excluded from the main show.

Blur frontman Damon Albarn and broadcaster Andy Kershaw are among those who have denounced the global 2 July concerts for snubbing African performers.

But Geldof said last night that he has now spoken to Gabriel, one of the champions of world music who established the Womad festival 23 years ago.

He will put together a list of African performers for a concert at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on 6 July. Also involved will be Jamie Catto of the world music act 1 Giant Leap, who has worked with performers such as Senegalese star Baaba Maal.

"Peter rang me, so I said he should go up there to Edinburgh along with Jamie Catto," Geldof told The Independent on Sunday:

There had been rumours in the music industry that a breakaway show was being planned. Several top musicians had been approached, and the bill was to be packed with African performers.

Albarn weighed into the criticism of Live8 on Friday, dismissing the bill as "so Anglo-Saxon". He said: "If you are holding a party on behalf of people, then surely you don't shut the door on them."

Geldof has defended the virtual exclusion of African acts, because he wants big names such as Sir Elton John, U2 and Madonna who will attract TV viewers in the G8 nations.

He joked that his own appearance in Edinburgh, as an "ethnic Irishman", was important as part of the world music community.

He is not, however, due to perform at the Hyde Park Live8 event.

"There's no space. But maybe I'll sing along - I want to be there on the day just so I can say I took part."

«si le monde avait un seul père, ce serait lui»

www.46664arctic.no

Nelson Mandela s'est joint samedi soir à de nombreuses stars internationales de la musique pour demander aux pays les plus riches d'accroître leur action contre le sida et la pauvreté lors d'un concert de bienfaisance organisé sous le soleil de minuit de l'Arctique norvégien.

»Agissons pour que chaque enfant soit un enfant en bonne santé, a lancé l'ancien président sud-africain devant une foule de 18.000 personnes réunies à Tromsoe (Norvège). Nous savons ce qu'il faut faire et combien cela coûte. Nous avons désormais besoin d'une direction, d'une vision et de courage politique.»

Le concert «46664 Arctic», baptisé selon le matricule de Nelson Mandela lors de ses 27 années d'emprisonnement, fait partie d'une série de concerts de charité pour lutter contre le sida et a mobilisé notamment Peter Gabriel, l'ex-membre de Led Zeppelin Robert Plant et l'ancien guitariste de Queen Brian May.

Depuis qu'il a quitté son poste de président sud-africain en 1999, Nelson Mandela, dont un fils est mort en janvier d'une maladie liée au sida, fait campagne pour la lutte contre le sida, surtout en Afrique où vivent 25 des 40 millions de séropositifs de la planète.

»Il y a de nombreuses années, j'ai dit que mon long parcours n'était pas achevé, a déclaré M. Mandela. Ce soir, je suis conforté en voyant que nous ne sommes pas seuls dans ce voyage.»

Cette déclaration fait référence aux dirigeants des pays du G8 qui doivent se rencontrer le mois prochain pour annuler 40 milliards de dette des pays les plus pauvres.

En présentant le leader sud-africain, le chanteur Peter Gabriel a estimé sous les acclamations que «si le monde avait un seul père, ce serait lui»

Nelson Mandela déclare la guerre au sida depuis le Grand Nord Norvégien

ecouter:

Nelson Mandela et une palette d'artistes renommés se sont retrouvés samedi à Tromsoe, dans l'Arctique norvégien, pour lancer un appel à la mobilisation internationale contre le VIH-sida qui affecte près de 40 millions de personnes à travers le monde.

TROMSOE (Norvège) (AFP) - Ayant lui-même perdu un fils du sida, l'ancien président sud-africain, âgé de 86 ans, devait présider samedi soir à un concert de charité mettant en scène des chanteurs tels que Peter Gabriel et Annie Lennox.
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Outre Annie Lennox et Peter Gabriel, le concert de Tromsoe devait mettre en scène Brian May du groupe Queen, Sharon Corr des Corrs, l'ancien de Led Zeppelin Robert Plant, Zucchero et plusieurs artistes scandinaves et africains.