Event Background
Live Aid 1985 was chosen as the live music concert event. It is one of the most valuable and extraordinary concerts in the history of music. It was held on 13 July 1985 in London, England, and Philadelphia, United States (Frith et al., 2021). Various famous and influential singers and musicians performed their popular songs during the concert: Queen, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, U2, Led Zeppelin, and others (Frith et al., 2021). According to Frith et al. (2021), valuable aspects of this concert are “the unabashed admission of Western political responsibility for global poverty and injustice and the equally unabashed enjoyment of Western technological and cultural power” (p. 19). Consequently, one should highlight the importance of this music performance in showing the responsibility and necessity of creating a better and more just world.
Physical and Social Environment and Sound Quality
The physical environment of the concert was established minimally. There were no specific decorations or particular attributes designed to enhance the overall appearance of the stadiums where the action took place. The concert stage presented no specific issues. These factors allowed one to fully concentrate on the musicians’ performances and immerse oneself in the music (Frith et al., 2021). My overall reaction to the performance was extraordinary.
First, I want to stress the considerable number of the most famous musicians in the world who were gathered together on one stage. It created an unforgettable atmosphere and allowed them to establish new vocal, instrumental, and artistic performances while combining their unique talents. Second, this factor has given rise to a vast array of different music genres. It was spectacular to observe how performers use their signing styles and artistic elements, such as Elton John’s style or Freddie Mercury’s plastic movements, to communicate with the audience and to broadcast the meaning of the songs (Frith et al., 2021). Consequently, the sound quality and the entire atmosphere of the Live Aid concert are incredible.
Favorite Piece from the Program
Sir Paul McCartney’s Let It Be was my favorite part of the Live Aid concert. The main difference from many other artists was the calm and soothing rhythm of the song’s performance, as well as McCartney’s communication with the audience. For example, it is essential to note that only McCartney played the piano on the stage for a considerable length of the song. The spotlight was pointed at him, and the rest of the scene was completely blacked out.
At the song’s end, other musical performers appeared on stage to organize a co-singing event (Live Aid, 2018, 00:03:15). Notably, throughout their singing together, the musicians behind McCartney interacted with him in different ways. They jerked his arm, tickled him, and tried to make jokes (Live Aid, 2018, 00.03.37). This action fosters a sense of family at the concert. In addition, the tempo of this part of the concert is defined as slow, and the melodic contour is descending.
Remaining Pieces on the Program and Artistry
The remaining program pieces were created following the musicians’ styles and features. At the concert’s end, the final song was “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” when all musicians gathered on the stage to perform one song (Frith et al., 2021). The artistry of the performers was highlighted during the concert. In addition, their introductions were also different, such as the introduction of the Queen band, when soldiers in traditional English uniforms took the stage.
One should state that such qualities as technical ability and uniqueness are related to Live Aid because of the gathering of many vocalists on one stage. The program was valuable because it allowed me to consider various singing styles from the world’s most famous performers for a considerable time. While observing their vocal talents, understanding how to perform particular music genres was also helpful. In conclusion, it is essential to note that the thorough consideration of events like Live Aid can provide valuable insights into music, offering lessons from the most talented performers.
References
Frith, S., Brennan, M., Cloonan, M., Webster, E. (2021). The history of live music in Britain, volume III, 1985-2015. Taylor & Francis.
Live Aid. (2018). Paul McCartney – Let It Be (Live Aid 1985) [Video]. YouTube. Web.