Bob Geldorf is manipulating and exploiting the prospective concert audience (most of whom are unlikely to think deeply about politics). He is also manipulating and exploiting the media (who are essential to the success of the Live 8 event before, during and after 2nd July). Possibly he may hope to be able to manipulate and exploit the G8 governments (some hope!).
The media is manipulating and exploiting Bob Geldorf – he is giving them copy to fill their pages, and controversial stories to help sell their publications (or television channels or radio stations or websites etc).
The prospective concert audience is manipulating and exploiting the event – attending an (enjoyable) rock concert will allow them to encounter (at a far remove) the poverty of Africa and still continue to function in their selfish, self-obsessed, consumer-orientated lives. By attending the concert they are not just buying a concert ticket, they are also (at a subconscious level) buying moral superiority and absolution.
The government has yet to respond significantly but will, undoubtedly, be looking for an opportunity to manipulate and exploit Bob Geldorf AND the media AND the prospective concert audience (plus any other gullible audiences they can manage to take in). Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in particular is positioning himself as a champion of African issues (a safe stance to take since it makes him look morally outstanding, without the necessity of actually doing anything for which he will be held accountable). Bob Geldorf should be wary of attempting to manipulate Tony Blair and his government – the rabbit always finds the anaconda fascinating (as Edith Wharton said).
The involvement of great artists in political issues is always problematic. The appearance of U2 lead singer Bono on the platform of the Labour Party Conference was unsettling and invited comparisons with Leni Riefenstahl (another great artist who lent glamour to a discredited regime). The Conservative Party also wanted to harness the emotions roused by artistic performers, but in their fuddy-duddy way the best they could come up with was Lynsey de Paul, plus the now-defunct boyband Busted (who probably thought the most shocking stunt they could pull would be to tell people they vote Conservative).
Above image is a digital photograph taken of a television screen.
Artists are most effective politically when they create enduring works of art based around themes that enter the popular consciousness. John Lennon's Imagine (whatever you might think of it artistically) is a good example of this. Another good example is the work of playwright David Hare (to adapt a line in his play Plenty, spoken by Sir John Gielgud in the film version with Meryl Streep: "When the Labour Party have become the cowboys I fear for the future of humanity").
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