55,000 more tickets, 15 minutes and a 280×60 ft revolving stage.
From today’s edition of The Mirror:
“Live8 organisers have threatened to “revolve” stars like Madonna and Elton John off stage if they overrun on Saturday. All the singers will perform on a 280ft-wide by 60ft-deep revolving stage, but they have been told to keep to a strict time-limit of 15 minutes.
An insider revealed: “To avoid wasting time, some of the acts will be setting up and dismantling while others are on stage – and if people do outstay their welcome they will be revolved out of sight.”
Sir Paul McCartney will close Live8 with a moving rendition of The Beatles’ classic “The Long and Winding Road“. A host of stars is expected to join him for a finale.
Bob Geldof reportedly revealed running order details in Rome last week. He said: “It will be a surprise for everyone. Paul McCartney will end it.” Macca will also open the concert – with help from Irish rockers U2.
But a planned duet between Madonna and Sting has been dropped. Instead, Sting is understood to be using Spitting Image-style puppets of Tony Blair and George Bush.
He is expected to change the lyrics of The Police song Every Breath You Take to “We’ll be watching you”.”
From The Mirror
55,000 more Live 8 tickets for fans
With less than a week to go until Live 8, 55,000 more tickets have reportedly been made available so that fans to watch the event on giant screens. Those who lost out during the original allocation via a text message competition will now be able to enjoy the show.
Space has been made available in London’s Hyde Park for extra people to watch the event on giant video screens, BBC Online reported.
Details about how the new tickets will be distributed are expected to be announced by Live 8 co-ordinator Bob Geldof. There are already plans to set up giant screens in 14 other UK cities.
From The Evening Standard