Live 8 – Rock Against Poverty

The cornerstone of a day of action that called on leaders of the world’s richest countries to act to eliminate poverty across Africa, Live 8 concerts across the globe proved a hopeful awakening, attracting more than one million fans to 10 venues on four continents with an additional two billion tuning in worldwide.

Designed to coincide with the Group of Eight summit in Scotland, Live 8 called upon G8 members to get serious about poverty by doubling aid, fully canceling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa. Martin Professional is proud to be associated with such an essential and fundamental cause and was pleased to support the LIVE 8 concerts around the globe.

Held on July 2nd with the cream of international rock and pop artists performing, Live 8 concerts took place in London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Rome, Philadelphia, Tokyo, Johannesburg and Barrie. Martin gear, including the Maxedia Digital Media Composer, MAC fixtures and Atomic strobes were key gear on several shows.

London
The centerpiece show took place in London where 200,000 fans packed Hyde Park to see a star-studded line-up highlighted by the one day reunion of Pink Floyd. Lighting design was by Peter Barnes who created visuals for both cameras and the live audience during what was primarily a daylight show. His design was also adapted as a basis for the Paris show. All lighting equipment for the Hyde Park concert was supplied by PRG London and included 50 MAC 2000 Wash, 35 MAC 2000 Profiles, 20 Atomic strobes with Atomic Colors, LEDs and conventionals.

Philadelphia
The biggest turnout was in Philadelphia, where up to 500,000 fans jammed into the grounds of the city’s Museum of Art on US Independence Day weekend. Lighting designer Thomas Beck had MAC 2000 Wash, MAC 2000 Profiles and Atomic strobes at his disposal while a Martin Maxedia digital server provided wallpaper and animation effects onto multiple screens in combination with IMAG and other pre-built content. Maxedia effects were controlled from a Martin Xciter off a touchscreen with 60+ songs programmed in two days. Lighting gear was supplied by Light Action of Delaware. The rig was actually a set up that rental company Lightswitch had designed for a free Elton John concert that took place on the 4th of July. Lightswitch simply put the rig up four days earlier than planned for the Live 8 show.

Johannesburg
South Africa was included in the concerts at the ninth hour with Gearhouse South Africa called in to provide a complete package: lighting, sound, stage and power. Former president Nelson Mandela was met with jubilee and a thunderous applause from those at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg. His live message to the millions of concert goers globally echoed the reason why the concerts were being held. “I say to all the leaders: Do not look the other way, do not hesitate, it is easy to make promises, but never go to action.”

An extensive automated lighting rig incorporated 18 MAC 2000 Profiles, 18 MAC 2000 Wash and 12 Atomic strobes, all provided by Gearhouse through Electrosonic. Lighting designer was by Hugh Turner who staggered six trusses, complimented with lighting units, which served as a backdrop. He commented, “The 2Ks are fabulous units, very versatile and bright enough to read on camera during daylight. It was a very relaxed music event, with a wealth of talent from across the African continent.”

Italy

Limelite of Rome delivered several Martin fixtures to the Live 8 show in Italy held at Circus Maximus in Rome. Lighting designer Massimo Gasbarro of Limelite had 44 MAC 2000 Wash, 52 MAC 500 profile spots, 48 MAC 600 wash lights and 28 Atomic strobes as well as other automateds and conventionals at his disposal.

Canada
Held at Park Place in Barrie just outside of Toronto lighting designer Errol Reinart incorporated 24 MAC 2000 Wash into his design for the Canadian Live 8 show. The Martin fixtures were supplied by PRG Toronto through Martin Canada.