Lasting Impact
As the first international movement that utilized music as a means of supporting humanitarian causes, Live Aid set the precedent for countless fundraising concerts in multiple countries to emerge as a means of providing monetary aid.
Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day, Today, 2018
"In the lead-up to the inaugural airing of the TV special in May, Walgreens sold more than $7 million worth of recyclable noses alone."
~ The Atlantic, 2015
"Live Aid raised £110 million and has continued to inspire other charitable efforts including Red Nose Day, with creator and filmmaker Richard Curtis saying that he had developed a “lifelong commitment to end extreme poverty” when he was inspired to help in Ethiopia after watching Live Aid."
~ Megan C. Hill, Evening Standard, 2020.
One Love Manchester
Fundraising concert in support of victims of Manchester Bombin, Manchester's Finest, 2017
"She [Ariana Grande] and other stars performed at the One Love Manchester concert to raise funds for those affected by the tragedy. More than 50,000 people were at the concert, which included performances from Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber."
~ BBC Newsbeat, 2018
Will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Ariana Grande and Taboo (left to right) perform at One Love Manchester, Getty Images, 2017
Reviews of the concerts
"Never before had it [fundraising concert] featured so prominently in the worldwide media spotlight, nor had music fans been urged on such a massive scale to help others.."
~ The Atlantic, 2015
Alicia Keys' performance is another instance of celebrities promoting both foreign and domestic aid through concerts. Events such as this changed the nature of fundraising and help bring social and humanitarian causes to a much larger audience.
Alicia Keys performs during the 2009 world AIDS Day charity concert in New York, The Atlantic, 2015
This musical marathon wasn’t just important for the year 1985. It led to many more charity concerts, and more importantly, inspired the next generation of political activists, including ONE co-founder Bono, who also founded Data, Edun, and Product Red.
~ "The legacy of Live Aid: The day rock and roll changed the world," One, 2015
Live Aid forever altered the role music plays in fundraising efforts. Concerts became an universal avenue of communication by celebrities and aritsits to advocate for humanitarian aid and social movements around the world.