This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/6279518.stm

The article has changed 35 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Live Earth climate gigs under way Live Earth climate gigs under way
(20 minutes later)
Rock stars around the world are performing to thousands of music fans as part of the Live Earth day to highlight climate change.Rock stars around the world are performing to thousands of music fans as part of the Live Earth day to highlight climate change.
Concerts in London, Shanghai, Johannesburg and Hamburg are under way, while events in Sydney and Tokyo have already ended.Concerts in London, Shanghai, Johannesburg and Hamburg are under way, while events in Sydney and Tokyo have already ended.
Among the biggest names taking part are Madonna and The Police.Among the biggest names taking part are Madonna and The Police.
The day has been organised by former US Vice-President Al Gore, as part of his campaign to try to "heal the planet".The day has been organised by former US Vice-President Al Gore, as part of his campaign to try to "heal the planet".
Reformed group Genesis, featuring Phil Collins, were among the first acts to perform at London's Wembley Stadium, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Duran Duran and the Beastie Boys due on stage later. Reformed group Genesis, featuring Phil Collins, were among the first acts to perform at London's Wembley Stadium, starting their set with Turn it On.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Duran Duran and the Beastie Boys are due on stage later.
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: Reporters' log In pictures: Live EarthLIVE 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: Reporters' log In pictures: Live Earth
Organisers say the gigs will reach an audience of two billion people via TV, radio and online broadcasts.Organisers say the gigs will reach an audience of two billion people via TV, radio and online broadcasts.
But critics have said it was hypocritical for performers who fly around the world on tours to push the message of cutting down on carbon emissions.But critics have said it was hypocritical for performers who fly around the world on tours to push the message of cutting down on carbon emissions.
George Marshall of the Climate Outreach Information Network told the BBC: "Having the richest people in the world saying, 'Hey! We all need to cut back a bit!' is, let's face it, absurd."
The Sydney event began with a traditional aboriginal welcome before Mr Gore appeared on video screens to launch the worldwide initiative.The Sydney event began with a traditional aboriginal welcome before Mr Gore appeared on video screens to launch the worldwide initiative.
Saving the planet with pop Send us your comments
Australian politician and former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett also made an appearance, saying it was up to citizens of developed nations to push for action to reduce pollution.Australian politician and former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett also made an appearance, saying it was up to citizens of developed nations to push for action to reduce pollution.
"Your voice matters, make it heard," he said."Your voice matters, make it heard," he said.
It's our goal to do what we can to make it possible for our kids to have a place to live Linkin Park bassist Phoenix
Reformed New Zealand group Crowded House were joined by many of the other Sydney performers at the end of their set, for a rendition of the 1991 hit Weather with You.Reformed New Zealand group Crowded House were joined by many of the other Sydney performers at the end of their set, for a rendition of the 1991 hit Weather with You.
Lead singer Neil Finn told fans they were "the groundswell" for action on the environment.Lead singer Neil Finn told fans they were "the groundswell" for action on the environment.
'Heal the planet''Heal the planet'
The Tokyo event was opened by the band Genki Rockets at the Makuhari Messe hall, east of the Japanese capital.The Tokyo event was opened by the band Genki Rockets at the Makuhari Messe hall, east of the Japanese capital.
Neil Finn and Crowded House played to about 50,000 fans in Sydney It's our goal to do what we can to make it possible for our kids to have a place to live Linkin Park bassist Phoenix
Mr Gore appeared as a hologram in front of the crowd, saying: "Now is the time to begin to heal the planet."Mr Gore appeared as a hologram in front of the crowd, saying: "Now is the time to begin to heal the planet."
Among the performers in Tokyo was US metal group Linkin Park.Among the performers in Tokyo was US metal group Linkin Park.
"I don't have any delusions of grandeur that Linkin Park is saving the world," bassist Phoenix told BBC News."I don't have any delusions of grandeur that Linkin Park is saving the world," bassist Phoenix told BBC News.
"But it's our goal to do what we can to make it possible for our kids to have a place to live, and, at the same time, hopefully clean up where we live in the process.""But it's our goal to do what we can to make it possible for our kids to have a place to live, and, at the same time, hopefully clean up where we live in the process."
Neil Finn and Crowded House played to about 50,000 fans in Sydney
Japanese singer Ayaka urged people to do what they could. "We can start helping by doing something small," she said.Japanese singer Ayaka urged people to do what they could. "We can start helping by doing something small," she said.
"I started to carry my own eco-bag so I don't have to use plastic grocery bags, and use my own chopsticks instead of disposable ones.""I started to carry my own eco-bag so I don't have to use plastic grocery bags, and use my own chopsticks instead of disposable ones."
class="" href="/1/hi/entertainment/6274264.stm">Saving the planet with pop class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6704&edition=1&ttl=20070703085525">Send us your comments Responding to criticism that the event creates even more carbon emissions, organisers have insisted they were keeping the concerts as green as possible, with proceeds being spent on power-efficient light bulbs and other measures to offset the shows' emissions.
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.
George Marshall of the Climate Outreach Information Network told the BBC: "Having the richest people in the world saying, 'Hey! We all need to cut back a bit!' is, let's face it, absurd."
And John Buckley, managing director of Carbon Footprint, said pop stars such as Madonna should be leading by example and changing their own travelling habits, especially when on tour or with an entourage.
"The difference between a private jet and taking a commercial flight could lead to a 50 per cent reduction [in emissions], which is pretty worthwhile," he told Reuters.
Organisers have insisted they were keeping the concerts as green as possible, with proceeds being spent on power-efficient light bulbs and other measures to offset the shows' emissions.
"We've booked this show with acts that were touring in the area at the time so we could keep the carbon imprint down," explained producer Kevin Wall."We've booked this show with acts that were touring in the area at the time so we could keep the carbon imprint down," explained producer Kevin Wall.
Music from the Wembley concert is being broadcast live in the UK on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Radio 2.Music from the Wembley concert is being broadcast live in the UK on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Radio 2.