Live8 Inequality / Live8 ‘Golden Circle’ Controversy...
(By: Amanda)

Hi, Amanda and myself were lucky enough to win tickets to Live8 at Hyde Park. We left very early and travelled to London in order to be at the gates by 6:30am and to our joy we where very near to the front of the queue! When the gates opened at around midday we ran into the park in order to find a place near to the stage only to discover a 'golden circle'? We found ourselves so far from the stage that the groups were reduced to mere ants! Wasn't this concert about equality, or am I missing the point? Why were the 'privileged few' allowed so close and us mere peasants kept back? I believe that the VIP's should have had to either mixed in with the crowd or be enclosed within an area along the side of the park and not the front as this demonstrated sheer class divide which made us feel physically sick!

Also to top it of we was informed that David Beckham was present within the Golden Circle... Beckham accepts huge amounts of 'sponsor' money from third world labour abusing corporations like Nike, what on earth is going on!?

We don't wish to mock the event, as we are both completely ‘for the cause’ however we did witness sickening double standards.
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Re: from Matt (04.07.2005 14:48)

That also explains why the concert was so lacking in passion and spark. The corporates at the front were totally lifeless. As you say the lack of political nous is stunning. A protest at poverty that favours a rich-poor divide.

MY REPLY: Hi Matt, yes it was lacking in “passion and spark”, you’re right, however that was partly due to the upsetting issues that had inspired the event and the images that were displayed on the big screens showing the terrible, unacceptable and tragic situation within Africa. People were actually crying around, all were deeply moved by the event. But still… how hypocritical of the event organisers to actually display a ‘class-divide’ within an event of this nature?! I do seriously think that there are serious class and inequality issues to be addressed within our own country after we have Africa back on its feet again!
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Re: from Tom (04.07.2005 15:44)

There were giant video screens in Hyde Park. There were giant video screens put up so that everyone could watch the concert.

MY REPLY: Now really Tom you’re missing the point, we did notice the screens but if screens were really as good as ‘the real thing’ why do you think people bothered to camp overnight outside Hyde Park in order to get as near to the stage as possible then? Why not simply have the groups broadcast from some other place if screens are the key? I witnessed a sickening and blatant ‘class divide’ at Hyde Park on Saturday 2nd July 2005 and that spoilt the event for both Amanda and myself as it made a mockery of the issues raised. There really is NO excuse or argument for this ‘kick in the teeth’ via class and status.
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Re: from Louis (04.07.2005 16:30)

Perhaps you were in fact watching ants. (Homepage:  http://www.daveches.co.uk)

MY REPLY: You could be right there Louis, for all we know they could have been ants… no wonder “the corporates at the front were totally lifeless” as mentioned by Matt!
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Re: from Bobby (04.07.2005 18:58)

At least Eavis hides them backstage. Sad but true - and normal at any big gig, even others where you might expect a more egalitarian vibe. Still, you got to go to the gig, and I watched some of it on tv in my warm dry house - I'm not jealous - we're both luckier than many. Speaking of corporates - I see Nokia were the only firm tactless enough to be advertising. Would that be why Bob was mentioning the benefits of mobile phones to poor rural African communities, except ones in Congo perhaps.
 http://www.seeingisbelieving.ca/cell/kinshasa/

MY REPLY: I get your point Bobby… and I do agree that “we're both luckier than many”, like I say… I do seriously think that there are serious class and inequality issues to be addressed within our own country, but not until after we have Africa back on her feet again. However I witnessed a sickening and blatant ‘class divide’ at Hyde Park on Saturday 2nd July 2005 and that spoilt the event for both Amanda and myself as it made a mockery of the issues raised. I just hope that the 8 suits at the golf course will listen… and if they do then we will be happy.
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Re: from Musicandchips (05.07.2005 15:01)
Homepage:  http://musicandchips.blogspot.com

One of the reasons given for the circle is safety; with over 200,000 people the circle is supposed to help prevent lethal crushes at the front of the stage. It is a feature of most really big shows these days (Glastonbury an obvious exception, but remember it's half the number of people as at Hyde Park in over 10 times the area with literally hundreds of stages).

Also the 'golden circle' was not just a VIP area. Competition winners, special needs groups, all kinds of people had tickets. If you want to talk about a class divide, within the 'golden circle' were areas requiring special guest passes giving away thousands of pounds-worth of free alcoholic drinks and food. These areas were the resting places of the celebrities and VIPs, not the area in front of the stage.

Despite this, these areas are required. Like it or not, a lot of media interest in any event (and therefore the public platform for the message or issues involved) is fuelled by the prospect of easy access to multiple celebrities, who simply wouldn't come if there was no refuge from the autograph- and photo-hunters.

Personally I agree with you that it's a jip for those who have spent a lot of time queuing for a decent spot, And liked your idea of an area down the side, but there are wider issues to consider.

MY REPLY: Surely it's still possible for people to get "lethally crushed" even behind the circle?

We both completely accept your VERY valid point regarding "special needs groups" but as far as "competition winners" go, I thought that the SMS texting thing was the “fund raising” competition? After all we spent around £150 on our mobile phone bill in order to get our tickets (which was fine as it was in the name of an EXTREMELY valid cause and one that Amanda and I both believe in). The celebrities and VIPs should have made an effort to mix in order to demonstrate equality at an event of this nature. The only reason that they actually require “refuge” is due to the fact that they isolate themselves from the 'general public' therefore creating a ‘mystique’ with the inevitable consequence of fuelling obsessions in some members of the ‘general public’. Why can’t people see that rock stars are simply people (like you and I) 'doing their job' just like nurses, carers, police, tradesmen etc. however we don't feel the need for refuge at such events?!

I personally don't think that these ‘golden circle’ areas are required, nor should they be allowed (even the name ‘golden circle’ smells of class superiority)! I will never be attending a gig with a 'golden circle' again in my lifetime as I view it as 'snobbery' to the extreme! I cannot believe that you mentioned, "…a lot of media interest in any event is fuelled by the prospect of easy access to multiple celebrities, who simply wouldn't come if there was no refuge from the autograph- and photo-hunters". Ah Didums… where’s the violin? WELL THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST STAYED AT HOME THEN IF THAT'S THEIR ATTITUDE!!! How about if soldiers on a front-line took that attitude? Or if doctors and nurses that had just worked a 12-hour shift then faced with a really sick patient took that attitude?

Pampering to the ‘rich and privileged’ simply promotes a general desire to be ‘rich and privileged’ due to the fact that it becomes obvious to the ‘easily affected’ that this type of ‘status’ is beneficial to them. The following consequence, for this type of person, is a desire to become extremely greedy and selfish. Then this situation usually inflicts extreme poverty on others! I hate the class system… it stinks!