Live Earth Preview: The 24-Hour-Long Concert Starts in Sydney Tomorrow

The stage is almost set, the lights are in place, the performers are setting up their instruments and the show is only hours away. The preparations for the first ever global concert are almost complete, but there is a major problem. The world is barely aware of this event going on.

First of all, let's stress the mind blowing details. This concert is set to last for 24 hours straight, with 9 live performances on all seven continents. That includes Antarctica as well, where some scientists have formed a band and they will play. The event will have a worldwide broadcast and it should have the biggest number of TV viewers ever recorded...theoretically. The performers line-up is impressive, with big names such as The Police, Genesis, Lenny Kravitz, Madonna and many many others.
But the most important fact is the purpose of this concert, which is to raise awareness about global warming, which in turn is the biggest crisis as far as our entire planet is concerned. As I mentioned before, this should be the most eagerly anticipated event this Saturday. But it's not.

Instead, the world keeps a close eye on Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears, who day by day manage to eclipse various events. To put matters into perspective, I'm 99% sure that Live Earth may turn out to be somewhat more attractive to the media than Eva Longoria's wedding to Tony Parker in France (which is also scheduled tomorrow) is. But I'm equally sure that the vast majority would rather pay attention to the latest Paris Hilton appearance, even if she just came outside her house to playfully wave to the paparazzi.

But back to Live Earth. This initiative, although very honorable, simply has bad timing. Back in 1985, Live Aid took the world by storm. 20 years after that, the world witnessed Live 8. And even though it represents a global musical event, Live Earth has a huge handicap: it simply comes too soon.

Another problem revolves around money. Although both shows were intended to raise awareness, Live Aid was free, while Live Earth is not. The only exception will be the show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the economical situation cannot provide the financial stability for a massive crowd.

Another reason why there aren't so many people watching is the cause. Live Aid was about helping starving Third World children. People responded immediately when they were presented with those touching pictures. But when it comes to Live Earth, it is very hard to make somebody care as long as s/he cannot see what he is being told to support. Quite ironically, this is the exact same problem that Live Earth is trying to solve: the lack of awareness.

Last but not least, another major problem for Live Earth are Bob Geldof and Bono. Or rather, the fact that they are not part of this world wide concert. This counts for something, as these two artists came up with the idea for the original Live Aid, 22 years ago. Geldof did some more damage to Live Earth when he called it a waste of time. In his opinion, the show would be of some use if the American presidential candidates would present to the world their projected environmental measures (it is well known that the US is the largest producer of greenhouse gases on the planet).

Geldof may have a solid point. The 24-hour-long concert is nothing more than just a concert. But nobody can deny the scale of such a musical event …and we will be watching.