It's an important issue and it's great that so many stars came out to support Gore and the cause, but i believe some stars are more genuine than others. I'm glad Leo turned into such a respectable actor, since working with Marin Scorsese, and activist instead of partying all the time like he used too and having his pals beat people up. Kate Winslet also said that Leo became a better person as he grew older, back than she said he didn't even know what the word "charity" meant. It's good he grew so much as a person.

Okay...hands down Foo Fighters were the stand out performance. They just have this amazing vibe to them, they are raw rock n' roll and they just had the crowd going wild!
I think the Police were good too...and of course Roger Waters.
Also I was pretty impressed by Keith Urban, I had no idea he could sing that well live...all together the concert was amazing!
I loved the commercials they had, with Cameron Diaz, Tobey Maguire, Shrek Weee! Fun commercials and they were great little tips on how to be green!

that's useless

Live Earth was cool, but only a few performances were worth listening to.

I concur that only a few performances stood out.

It was a huge undertaking, well produced, for a good cause, but musicially, less then two hours of it impressed me. I liked Roger Waters and Lenny Kravitz.

I expected more from Genisis and the Police. Having seen both acts live before, I know they can be more dynamic, but they were kind of lackluster here.

I thought Madonna was just horrible. Especially when she started pretending to play the guitar and acting like some 70s rocker dude with the feedback, while prancing around in a black beaded dress and heels. It's like she's always a beat behind anything relevant.

I loovveeed this! I kept tuning in and out, tons of great shows, lots of great bands, it was great and all for a good cause too, what more could you ask for?

Oh yea... Keith Urban's Gimme Shelter was a standout moment, and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers were sounding good. Nice to see Metallica on the bill and they did a decent set. Bon Jovi seemed at least inspired.

What I really look for at these huge benefit shows is artists who do something outside their norm, like Urban did, or if they stick to their usual stuff... really do knock out performance, like Kravitz and Waters.

So many of the others really seemed to be on low energy, like Kelly Clarkson & Duran Duran.

Loved Fergies Sandals she wore - does anyone know where I can get them ?

I haven't watched it - I was attending a wedding - but I still think that event was useless. Though I would have loved to see The Police.

Of course, global warming and stuff is an important issue, but I still don't see how those concerts and environmental protection go hand in hand. All the trash after the concerts, all the flights to get the artists to the stages, all the energy they used for the concerts...
Scientist kept warning us about the global warming and the climate changes for years. Way before Al Gore discovered that issue. *sighs*

I tried to watch it, but I found the show surprisingly lame. I honestly though it'd be a joke in terms of affecting actual environmental policy, but I honestly believed they'd rock it out. They didn't, especially in London. James Blunt? Snow Patrol? Sure, you might listen to them when you're horribly depressed or watching Meredith grimacing yet again on Grey's, but would you choose them to rock out Wembley Stadium? f*ck no.

My family and I have been green since I could remember and I guess I'm just fed up that the once the issue has finally been accepted a majority of Americans thanks to An Inconvenient Truth, it has been essentially co-opted by corporations (Chevy of all companies sponsored Live Earth). Environmentalism has become a fad, just like Darfur.

Leo comes across a self-righteous ass? I don't doubt his passion for the issue but whenever he discusses it he seems absolutely dismissive of others, as if he's so morally superior to the unwashed masses. And his public speaking is not remotely effective, which is surprising for a supposedly brilliant actor (I saw him speak during the 2004 election at a Kerry rally and he had these cue cards in front of him and he just seemed distressed more than anything).

God, why can't more socially conscious celebrities be like Clooney?

I like Janeiro's review!

These giant "cause" concerts generally work better for more defined causes like Amnesty International or a crisis (Live Aid) where there is a call to get people to a specific action, and the results can be measured. It's a mixed message burn so much energy to make the point of using less energy.

But it was quite a feat to put on 24 hours of music around the globe in one day. Just wish the performances were more lively and spontaneous.

The first sentence on my second post: I meant to put a period at the end not a damn ? mark. Sorry.

It works as a question too.

I haven't seen any of it, I'll be youtubing my fave performers from it later when I'm bored.

I almost tried to get tickets to this at Wembley, but I'm glad I watched it on tv instead! I saw the Foo Fighters, who were really good, and Madonna, who was really crap. I have to agree with Ginger - the sight of her prancing around with the guitar was horrible. She needs to stick to the air guitar. Up until then, I was giving her the benefit of the doubt, but after that I had to switch off.

I had it on all day and enjoyed it all. Loved seeing Leo! *swoon*

I enjoyed it overall but some of the performances were like WTF moments. The short movies they showed in between the songs was really cool.

Janeiro, I have the same view about Leo. I think he is genuine about his concern for the environment, but he also has an uppity vibe about him whenever someone questions him. I remember when he was at cannes at the premiere of his enviromental movie, and some reporter asked him if he flew on private jets. Leo was so rude to the reporter when he replied, so that made me kind of dislike him as a person.

I watched it. I agree with Janeiro. Lots of energy used just to talk about not using energy.

It was okay for the most part. Lots of great singers/groups coming together on one day. I didn't like Madonna's song. I actually turned the volumn down so.

I watched a little of it- i had that same thought about how much energy and such was being used just to put on the concerts! I thought Bon Jovi did a good job (i'm biased maybe, I'm a jersey girl!), they rocked it out though and played the good old school stuff! I wish John Mayer wouldn't make such awful faces lol its painful to watch! I turned Madonna off. I wish I had caught Dave Matthews though, I used to love him!

I strongly dislike the entire premise of Live Earth. I despise all these celebrities preaching to us normal people about cutting down on our energy use and resource wasting. These are the last people on earth who can talk!

A) Most of these people own more than one property and their properties are always obscenely huge. It's a waste of land and the upkeep needed on these places when no one is there is a waste too!

B) How many of these people fly on normal airlines? Probably pretty few and even the ones that might fly on a normal airline fly first class. Less seats, less efficient use of space by something using lots of fuel.

C) How often do you see these people wearing the same clothes? Having such a huge resource of material that you're not making full use of is waste!

D) When these people tour--whether its on a concert tour or to promote a film, they do a lot of travelling. I think its safe to say that any individual artist does more travelling in a year than I will do in 10 years!

so tell me why I should be listening to them preach? I already know what to do and I do it! I recycle, I use low-energy lightbulbs, I drive a 4-cyl car!!

ok rant over!!

I wasnt planning on watching but caught a few acts. What I saw I liked (lucky enough to catch the Foo Fighters). Its good to see a big event that is not asking for your credit card number!! Just a little bit of an open mind and small changes go a long way.

Wow inadee! You just beat me to it with that exact rant!

Honestly, I've been doing my best to be "green" in every little way I can for a few years now, but all of a sudden I'm supposed to plonk myself down in front of my tv for a mammoth 12 hour session (I hardly ever watch tv so that in itself is a waste of energy for me!)of being preached to by people who clock up more air miles in six months than I'll clock up in a decade, who have multiple huge properties that they have to heat and maintain and clean, who have multiple fuel-guzzling cars and SUVs that they get driven around in even if they just have to travel 500 meters down the road. It was a disgusting idea, and I have to say, even though I knew it was coming up I actually forgot all about it. I stumbled across it be accident at around midnight and thought "Oh yeah, Live Earth", so that's the extent to which my awareness was raised.

I watched for about 20 minutes, I thought those vast stadiums looked less than full, I got really pissed off looking at all those crowds and thinking how they all probably got there in cars, how the performers and their equipment and their entourages all probably flew there, how much energy all those massive stage set ups and lights were using up and ultimately how those people, of all people!, were in no position to preach to me about my carbon footprint! It made me really annoyed and it was boring and I switched off. Why couldn't they have had a telethon? No crowds, less travel. less rubbish left behind, probably just as much awareness (if any) raised.

Oh, and that Madonna song nearly made me puke!

I saw parts of it to I also liked the Foo Fighters and Madonna. They did a good job of putting it together..and I thought that the overall message of just doing "what you can" and not "everything" was simple and to the point. My mom actually went and bought cloth bags to use for grocery shopping...so the message got to one person!

true...not a fan of "hey you".

I know. I just shake my head in wonder.

John Mayer was GREAT!!! Actually, I was surprised with Keith Urban, he can really shread a guitar!! GREAT CONCERT!! Replaced 7 light bulbs with energy efficient ones. Just one person's attempt, and yes that was the main theme. If we all did just one thing, we can change the world.

I love Black Eyed Peas... Will's song was so moving...

While I enjoyed the concert in bits - was not watching too carefully (Wimbledon Ladies' Finals was on early and got less engaged as the day wore on).

I agree with the comments of inadee on many points - particularly about the waste that rich and famous celebs produce in their day to day lives. One person did say in an interview that it starts with them because they consume so much - but I forget who said it.

Overall I am beginning to question the impact that these "awareness" rock shows is having on getting the message out there and leading people towards actual action (small or large scale).

An i agree with Kiki tee, the whole time i was watchin, i to, thought of how much electricity was being used to fuel these global concerts... Hypocrisy indeed.

Okay, I watched most of the performances on TV all day/night Saturday. They were all pretty good. All of the performers were pretty humble and were each others opening acts - as they each only played for about 20 minutes. Well, that was all good and fine until Madonna strutted out. I'm sorry - HEADLINING? Yeah - you're the headliner. We know that we have to cater to your enormous ego in order to have the priviledge of listening to your old washed up haven't-had-a-hit-in-8 years ass sing on stage. But, I think that the grandeur required for her highness was disgusting. If it had been something other than a charitable cause, maybe I could understand - but that lady just makes me sick anymore - get over yourself already. John Mayer performed at about 5 o clock and he said in his interview something about how it is nice for everyoe to put egos aside and get together to play like this. Apparently, that was all except Madonna.

I didn't watch it at all.

I could not watch that...
Leo♪

I agree with someone who said that "being green" and the global warming issue is becoming too much of a 'fad cause'. Absolutely we have a problem, but instead of talking and arguing and making it political, everyone should make small changes that will collectively make a difference.
I wasn't going to watch because I am not a Gore fan, but I did watch some of it. I liked John Mayer, Chili Peppers are always my favorite. I had to mute Melissa Etheridge(sp?) she sounded like a preacher! And Kanye - I was exausted just watching him!

I dont like to be preached to, but I do think we all can do something to make the world cleaner, better to live in, and safe for our future children.

isn't the pussycat dolls missing someone, that girl Asia who won the pussycat doll search show. i guess she didn't fit with the group after all. i didn't even understand why they needed another doll, there's so many of them already.

Well said Kiki

I did hear Sting say that he's doing his part (rainforest charity, etc) but he knows he has a giant "footprint" as a rock star and knows what touring can do to the enviornment. It was nice to hear. The concert itself was great and fun to watch but Madonna was painful. Who wears a dress and heels to run around and act like you are playing the guitar? And Melissa Etheridge made me want to change the channel when she wouldn't stop talking in that middle of that song from An Inconvinent Truth.

Live Earth was okay. Some of the performances were pretty cool and others were def not worth tuning in for. All in all, not a big deal if you didn't get to watch it.

1) Al Gore has been working on environmental causes since he entered politics, like 30 years ago. This is not some "new thing" to drum up political interest.
2) John Mayer & Cammie are NOT environmentalists. They both gave interviews during the concert & admited tehy really don't care about the earth. Why have people like this at a show to raise awareness about global climate change?
I htink the concert was a great idea, but it should have been WAY smaller. & the organizers should have been WAY more discerning in who they asked to participate.

i watched as much as i could. what a fantastic cause. it was amazing to see so many musicians come together to spread the word and raise awareness around such a global issue. though i don't think it made as much as an impact as it could, it was a pretty amazing concept!

I agree, inadee; for the celebs to preach being green, they should really cut down on their massive waste.

no pics of dave matthews??

i dvr'd bravo's entire 22 hours of coverage. i actually fast forwarded through most of the musical performances (except dmb, chilli peppers, beastie boys, foo fighters) and watched the short films. they were fantastic. i consider myself to be quite educated in environmental issues, but i still feel like i learned a lot. those films also left me feeling very inspired and hopefully that one small change can make a huge difference.

i didn't feel preached at. quite the opposite in fact: you don't have to totally change your entire lifestyle, just incoporate one or two small changes into your life. they sold me on changing my light bulbs!

I watched a lot of it. But I adult ADD.

i was not at all interested.

I didn't watch it, but looked for Madonna on Youtube, she's great. Inadee is right however. respect for the arctic monkeys and a few other bands who wouldn't wanna participate! besides Al Gore himself is a big hypocrit and his film isn't right either (we spent 3 f*cking lessons about that damn film ) the man is a walking contradiction!

david grey and damien rice were sooo good, madonna and her dancers, i saw toni collet performing in Aus, she was really good. leonardo d looked gorgeous from America.

I did not watch any of this simply because it was a Sunday, in the summer and it was a nice day. Why on EARTH (pun intended) would I stay inside and waste electricity to watch something so counterproductive and meaningless. Honestly, if they want to raise awareness they should go out there and do what they talk about. Get dirty already.

On a side note: Toni Collette has a band? I saw her picture on www.instyle.com. She looked rocking and she's having a baby. Fun!

I did not mean "meaningless" for the cause but the way they promoted it. I am an environmentalist, not because of some celebrity fad or promotion but by sheer example from my parents.