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Sydney kicks off Live Earth gigs Sydney kicks off Live Earth gigs
(about 3 hours later)
Sydney in Australia is set to be the first city to stage a Live Earth concert, a global event intended to raise awareness of climate change. Sydney in Australia has become the first city to stage a Live Earth concert, a global event intended to raise awareness of climate change.
Eight other cities, including London and Washington, are holding gigs.Eight other cities, including London and Washington, are holding gigs.
Among the biggest names performing live are Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, The Police and Garth Brooks.Among the biggest names performing live are Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, The Police and Garth Brooks.
Live Earth is organised by former US Vice-President Al Gore, who described Live Earth as a "global response" to a "global problem".Live Earth is organised by former US Vice-President Al Gore, who described Live Earth as a "global response" to a "global problem".
"By engaging individuals all over the world, Live Earth will drive corporations and governments to tackle the climate crisis," he said."By engaging individuals all over the world, Live Earth will drive corporations and governments to tackle the climate crisis," he said.
More than 150 artists will be performing at nine venues.
The Sydney event kicked off with an aboriginal welcome.
The line up featured Crowded House, performing songs from their new album Time On Earth, as well as Jack Johnson and Australian actress Toni Collette with her band The Finish.
The biggest stars will perform in London and the United States, while venues in Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan and South Africa will feature mainly local and regional acts.The biggest stars will perform in London and the United States, while venues in Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan and South Africa will feature mainly local and regional acts.
LIVE EARTH CONCERT TIMES Sydney - 0110 BST (1110 local)Tokyo - 0400 BST (1200 local)Johannesburg - 1100 BST (1200 local)Shanghai - 1130 BST (1830 local)Hamburg - 1300 BST (1400 local)London - 1330 BSTWashington - 1530 BST (1030 local)New Jersey - 1930 BST (1430 local)Rio de Janeiro - 2000 BST (1600 local)LIVE EARTH CONCERT TIMES Sydney - 0110 BST (1110 local)Tokyo - 0400 BST (1200 local)Johannesburg - 1100 BST (1200 local)Shanghai - 1130 BST (1830 local)Hamburg - 1300 BST (1400 local)London - 1330 BSTWashington - 1530 BST (1030 local)New Jersey - 1930 BST (1430 local)Rio de Janeiro - 2000 BST (1600 local)
Washington, DC, has been added as a venue for the series of Live Earth concerts. Country couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will be among the artists performing on The Mall in Washington DC on Saturday.
Country couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will be among the artists performing on The Mall in the US capital on Saturday.
Madonna, Duran Duran and the Beastie Boys will play in London.Madonna, Duran Duran and the Beastie Boys will play in London.
However there has also been scepticism about the value of the concerts from some quarters.However there has also been scepticism about the value of the concerts from some quarters.
Critics say that flying rock stars in on aeroplanes and using a great deal of electricity to power several concerts sends out mixed messages about energy conservation.Critics say that flying rock stars in on aeroplanes and using a great deal of electricity to power several concerts sends out mixed messages about energy conservation.
"What would be great is if these pop stars - now they realise the damage we are all doing to the climate - look very carefully at their own actions and make some changes themselves," said John Buckley, managing director of the organisation Carbon Footprint."What would be great is if these pop stars - now they realise the damage we are all doing to the climate - look very carefully at their own actions and make some changes themselves," said John Buckley, managing director of the organisation Carbon Footprint.
Mr Buckley calculated that the singer and her entourage emitted 444 tonnes of carbon dioxide on flights during last year's Confessions tour, more than 40 times the annual output of the average Briton.
Safety fearsSafety fears
Bob Geldof, who organised the Live Aid and Live8 charity concerts, has described the event as lacking a "final goal" and claimed most people already knew about the hazards of global warming.Bob Geldof, who organised the Live Aid and Live8 charity concerts, has described the event as lacking a "final goal" and claimed most people already knew about the hazards of global warming.
Al Gore wants to raise the awareness of climate changeOrganisers have insisted they were keeping the concerts as green as possible.Al Gore wants to raise the awareness of climate changeOrganisers have insisted they were keeping the concerts as green as possible.
Proceeds from ticket sales are going to distribute power-efficient light bulbs and other measures which will offset the shows' greenhouse gas emissions.Proceeds from ticket sales are going to distribute power-efficient light bulbs and other measures which will offset the shows' greenhouse gas emissions.
Doubts had been cast over whether the Rio de Janeiro gig would go ahead because of concerns about safety on Copacabana Beach, but organisers persuaded a judge that adequate measures were in place.Doubts had been cast over whether the Rio de Janeiro gig would go ahead because of concerns about safety on Copacabana Beach, but organisers persuaded a judge that adequate measures were in place.
However, the Turkish event - in Istanbul - was shelved, owing to insufficient sponsorship and lack of time.However, the Turkish event - in Istanbul - was shelved, owing to insufficient sponsorship and lack of time.
Live Earth will also broadcast two songs performed in sub-zero conditions in Antarctica by Nunatak, a rock group made up of five members of the British Antarctic Survey.Live Earth will also broadcast two songs performed in sub-zero conditions in Antarctica by Nunatak, a rock group made up of five members of the British Antarctic Survey.
They have recorded their contribution in front of 17 colleagues against a backdrop of icebergs.They have recorded their contribution in front of 17 colleagues against a backdrop of icebergs.