Articles

Live8 Report
September, 2005

Article - Tracks Magazine

Feb/Mar 2005

Tribute
Nov 19, 2004

Article - Fort Collins Sentinel
Oct. 23, 2004

Review - Beat
Sept. 18, 2004

Article - Downbeat
August 2004

Review - NME
July 2004

Review - The Guardian
June 19, 2002

Article - Rolling Stone
June 2002

Review - Magnet
March 2002

Review - Poseur
March 2002

Article - Puma Beat

Oct. 16, 2000

Review - NME
November 1999

Live8 Report
by Patrick Gleason
September 2005

The first thing I heard when I got to Hyde Park that day was a wall of noise. Actually, the noise started quite some way from the park itself. Everything seemed to focus in on this one event, and rightly so. This was the second Live Aid, this was Bob Geldof pulling a whole bunch of artists together to raise awareness for a very worthwhile cause. In short, this was history in the making.

The atmosphere, even before the show itself started, was electric. Incredible, millions of people cramming into the same space, buzzing with the excitement of being here, seeing this, and anticipation for the acts. I heard hurried conversations, music fans talking about which acts they were most looking forward to, almost falling over themselves in their enthusiasm.

They were well rewarded. The opening, with Sir Paul McCartney and Bono playing "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", was phenomenal. To see that song being performed by one of the Beatles was a treat in itself, but the costumed extras on the stage and the passion it was performed with made it second to none. That was really something to witness.

The whole day was astounding. Being in the crowd, you really knew that this was an important occasion, something that would be documented and remembered for years to come. The performances were excellent, notably U2's of "One" and Bono's speech before it.

A truly moving moment came when the screens showed the Philadelphia, US concert. The advertising campaign for Live8 features people clicking their fingers every three seconds. That is how often a child dies from poverty in Africa, every three seconds. Will Smith, on stage in Philadelphia, held his hand up and clicked his fingers every three seconds, and got the whole audience at that venue to do so in time with him – and then was connected via satellite to every other Live8 concert around the world, including London, and got every member of the audiences to click their fingers every three seconds in time with his. All you could hear was the echo of the clicks all around you. Several people near me had tears in their eyes. It was just an incredible thing to experience.

Being at a hopefully world-changing event like Live8 makes you reflect on Life a little. I'm a curmudgeonly old – well, old-er – man now, I'm allowed to be nostalgic. Seeing so many musicians get up and do their thing on stage, it reminded me of the old days, the early days with DriveSHAFT when we'd just get together and jam, Charlie with his bass scribbling notes on the back of his hand when he ran out of paper (which he invariably did, because he never brought enough paper – later on in the band's life, Zap bought him a notebook to use instead of scraps he'd lose half of, and Charlie *still* wrote on his hands), Liam singing and handing round the drinks, Sinjin strumming his guitar, me trying out rhythms and beats. I miss having drumsticks in my hands, sometimes, and a pedal under my foot. Most of all, I miss making music; the buzz of those jamming sessions, when what we were creating was raw and edgy and more potential than song, was like nothing else.

I missed Charlie the most, that day. When I first started going to gigs, it was Charlie who I'd go with, Charlie who I'd share that experience with. I've talked to Sinjin and Liam a bit recently, Sinjin's doing some solo touring in the States, and Liam's doing well with his family. We all miss Charlie. There's usually a moment, when I go to gigs now, where it's just a bit weird being there without him.

He'd have really enjoyed Live8. Annie Lennox's performance was stunning, and when Bob Geldof came on stage and introduced the woman who'd been helped by Live Aid, the atmosphere in the crowd was simply incredible. I've been a fan of Bob's for years, to see him on stage and doing what he does best was such a rush. Madonna's set was great, old favourites and some newer songs, widely regarded as the best set of the day.

Of course, I was waiting on tenterhooks for The Who. They're just not the same without Keith Moon. Keith was practically the reason I started drumming in the first place, and The Who without Keith, well. The style's very different, drumming-wise at least, but they're still The Who and I couldn't wait. In the meantime and on the newer band front, the Scissor Sisters gave an excellent show, really got the crowd going. I very much enjoy how Patrick Seacor plays, he has a good, distinctive sound. I also got a kick out of seeing Snow Patrol, Melissa bought me their album for Christmas and I like it.

It was late by the time The Who came on stage, but nobody showed any signs of flagging. Far from it, we were all still buzzing from Robbie Williams's "We Will Rock You", always a great stomp-clap number. At last, The Who were on, Pete and Simon, Roger, John, Damon, Steve White on drums. They played "Won't Get Fooled Again" and it was like being a teenager again, in awe of these men making such inspiring music. By the time the Floyd took to the stage, the euphoria was palpable. The opening to "Money" started, and everyone just went wild.

Paul McCartney ending the show with "The Long and Winding Road" and then everyone piling onto the stage for "Hey Jude" … I'll never forget it. The whole day was outstanding, and being there is really something I'll always remember.