Live 8 Concert - who really benefits? @ Political FootBall... kicking the crap out of the pundits

The Live 8 Concert came and went with the usual fanfare.

Googling the news pulled up items like: "Best Concert Ever", or "20,000 visit Moscow Red square".

That's all very well and nice, but should not the headlines be reading - in the grand scheme of things will the concert really make any difference in stamping out poverty? Instead of headlines like, "Bono fired up a huge London crowd yesterday, singing Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". Or, "Bob Geldof and Paul McCartney... wave to the crowds at the finale of the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park."

It's too bad the Pope doesn't offer sainthoods for entertainers. But then again they did make Paul a sir didn't they, so you never know. Must have had something to do with improving Britannia's GDP and all that. Maybe money can't buy you love Paul, but...

Past Live Aids have raised money and political awareness for poverty in Africa. But this time around with all those aging rock and rollers hobbling on stage all that they are really raising is the dead.

Unfortunately that is the real legacy of this concert. A last hurrah for senior citizen rockers trying to prove they can still shake their booty with the youngsters. Or to provide exposure for the up-and-commer/wannabes trying to out-do their mentors.

Now don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the music as much as anybody. It was great to see Roger Waters "tear down the wall" and reunite with Pink Floyd. Roger Daltry and the Who proved that old farts who wanted to "die before they get old" have still got what it takes. Lucky for them not all wishes come true so they could spend all that money in their golden years of retirement. Unfortunately for the rest of us who purchased their music we will actually have to work until we are old (or die).

But I digress. I really do hope that some good will come out of the concert. But I'm not that naive, and I've lived long enough to know there's more than meets the ear... er, I mean the eye.

So who are the real winners with these concerts? Could it be the entertainers who give their "free" time to resurrect or promote careers at the biggest venue of all time, but rarely reach into their own pockets where it really hurts?

Too bad for Michael J that he was busy getting off child molestation charges (hee hee hee). I mean really, Geldof's claim to fame was reminding me that "I don't like Mondays". If it weren't for live-aid we would all be singing "what about Bob". For crying out loud even George Michael pranced on stage harmonizing with McCartney to the tune of that ancient Beatles' ditty "Drive my Car".

Bottom line is, in the long term will it really make any difference or is it just shameless self-serving promotion? Beep, beep'm, beep, beep yeah!" Need I say anymore?

UPDATE: Sir Paul McCartney landed the headline spot at Live 8 after threatening not to perform at all. But the music was really great wasn't it? Shiznit.

Looking at all of the comments over at blogcritics, if one conclusion can be made it would be that most of us 'fans' have become cynical with our hypocritical do-gooder heros and their hollow words, as they live lavish lifestyles and are the ones who are really benefitting from these so-called "benefit concerts".