07/03/05 - 2:50pm (MF): Live 8 - The Day After
After having an evening to recover from the Live 8 experience, I finally have a moment to look back on what an extraordinary day it truly was. Despite almost 1 million people in close quarters, there were very few negative incidents and, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, only four arrests and five citations for disorderly conduct. For an event that huge, it seemed to go off practically without a hitch. The performances got way behind schedule as the day went on, but no matter - the crowd was singing and dancing and enjoying every minute of it. There really was an overall positive vibe in the audience and most people seemed to be in good spirits despite the heat. After British hipsters Kaiser Chiefs opened the day, Black Eyed Peas played a rousing set including the lyrically-appropriate "Where Is The Love," and then "Let's Get It Started" and "Don't Phunk With My Heart." They ended their set by bringing out Rita and Steven Marley for a rendition of "Get Up, Stand Up."
     Once everyone was pumped up from the B.E.P. set, the concert kept a good pace as the crowd went ballistic over Bon Jovi. Personal highlight: hundreds of thousands of people singing every word to "Livin' On A Prayer." The band also played the new single "Have a Nice Day" as well as "It's My Life." Destiny's Child also put on an energetic performance that included "Survivor" and "Say My Name" before Kanye West took over the stage - backed by a group of violin players - and delivered the triple-whammy of "Diamonds," "All Falls Down" and "Jesus Walks." His set was another highlight of the day. However, not to be outdone by Kanye, Will Smith took the opportunity to ham it up in his hometown. The Fresh Prince was carried on stage on a chariot before declaring that Philly was "his house!" He went right into "Switch," backed up by numerous dancers, a drum line, and of course, DJ Jazzy Jeff. Smith then played "Gettin' Jiggy With It," and then the absolute highlight of my day occurred (cheesy though it may sound). In an effort to see how many hometown fans he truly has, Smith played the first few notes of the theme song to The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, and about 800,000 people simultaneously recited the opening line: "In West Philadelphia born and raised..." and proceeded to sing every word of the theme song. Smith ended his set with "Summertime," a perfect tune for the day. 
    Later in the day, after Linkin Park played a few of their own songs, teenagers everywhere rejoiced when Jay-Z took the stage with the band. Kids were dancing on top of giant moving trucks as Jay and Linkin Park did a few of their mash-up songs, and Jay did his own track "Big Pimpin'." The only disappointment at Live 8 was the fact that Alicia Keys only played one song. Otherwise, it was a great display of how people can come together for a good cause, have a great time and treat each other with respect, not to mention sing in unison!

07/03/05 - 12:51pm (DK):  The site has been cleaned up and the venue is ready for the rest of the events that will take place this weekend.  Today, one of the largest salsa festivals will take place in the same area and tomorrow, Elton John headlines Philadelphia's Independence Day festivities.  Below, more pictures from after the event...

07/02/05 - 8:14pm (DK):  FMQB's coverage of Live 8 is coming to a close.  Check back for more pictures and updates from around the world as we check in with more of our reporters on the scene...

07/02/05 - 7:33pm (DK):  The City of Philadelphia begins cleaning up...

07/02/05 - 7:18pm (DK):  The concert is over and the venue is essentially clear of people.  Trash, on the other hand, fills the streets and green areas.  Pictures coming shortly...

07/02/05 - 6:50pm (JO):  Stevie Wonder ends the show with "Superstition," and the organizers say thank you and good night. The crowds begin to disperse down the Parkway in Philadelphia as Live 8 comes to a successful close.

07/02/05 - 6:40pm (JO):  Paul McCartney plays "Drive My Car" on-stage in London, as Stevie Wonder jams out his new single "So What The Fuss" in Philadelphia, and Live 8 draws to a close around the world. Adam Levine of Maroon 5 joined in earlier on "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."

07/02/05 - 6:27pm (DK):  Stevie Wonder takes the stage about 65 minutes later than originally scheduled.  MTV promises coverage until 8:00pm and claims nearly 1,000,000 have come to watch the show.  As the crowds thin, and the sun begins to set on Philadelphia, thoughts undoubtedly turn to Africa and the G8 conference, which will take place less than one week from today...

07/02/05 - 6:15pm (JO):  The highly-anticipated Pink Floyd reunion takes place in London; meanwhile Rob Thomas plays in Philadelphia as the penultimate act before Stevie Wonder and whatever other surprises await the crowd...

07/02/05 - 5:50pm (JO):  Some highlights from throughout the day: In the VIP Area, Bon Jovi's assistants getting them a bag full of Philly cheesesteaks to eat; Natalie Portman (still looking lovely with a shaved head) introducing Dave Matthews Band; the DMB press conference, where Dave spoke passionately about the debt issues facing Africa. When asked if the G8 leaders were paying attention to Live 8, Dave quips that they are "probably not rockin' out...[though] I think Tony Blair is."...

07/02/05 - 5:42pm (DK):  Keith Urban is on stage as we get photos from the front of the house...

07/02/05 - 5:13pm (DK):  Maroon 5 is on the stage.  They have played "Harder To Breathe," "This Love," and "She Will Be Loved."  Frontman Adam Levine is wearing a Beastie Boys' License To Ill Tour t-shirt from 1987.  They cover Neil Young's "Rocking In The Free World"...

07/02/05 - 4:56pm (DK):  Josh Groban comes onto stage to perform a duet with Sarah McLachlan...

07/02/05 - 4:45pm (DK):  Sarah McLachlan takes the stage; the show is now running about 50 minutes behind schedule...

07/02/05 - 4:20pm (DK):  Def Leppard takes their turn, playing three songs including "Pyromania" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me."  On a general note, for the first time today, we see people beginning to leave the venue...

07/02/05 - 3:56pm (DK):  Linkin Park takes the stage first and plays a handful of songs.  They then introduce Jay-Z, who performs with them.  They do songs from both artists and get the crowd whipped into a frenzy.  This was the first performance since the collaboration on the CD and DVD.  Philadelphia is buzzing down on the streets...

07/02/05 - 3:27pm (DK):  MTV reports 600,000 people are on site in Philadelphia as Linkin Park takes the stage...

07/02/05 - 03:15pm (DK):  According to the schedule that was originally released, the performances are currently running about 40 minutes behind schedule.  Alicia Keys takes and the stage and speaks before her set saying "I am very proud to be a part of a generation that stands up ... and does not sit down ... [against] poverty and hunger."  She plays a grand piano to open...

07/02/05 - 3:05pm (DK):  Dave Matthews is on stage ... he's played songs including "Don't Drink The Water," "American Baby," and "Too Much."  MTV continues coverage of the show, playing clips from Live Aid in 1985...

07/02/05 - 2:34pm (DK):  Officials have opened fire hydrants and connected fire trucks to provide cooling stations for the audience:

07/02/05 - 2:00pm (DK):  Will Smith is wheeled out onto stage on a throne after the theme song to Rocky plays over the speakers.  He opens with "Getting Jiggy With It" and follows that up with his new single "Switch."  Next, he mixes the beats of "Switch" with the theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.  During most of the song, Smith lets the crowd sing the lyrics, which they do flawlessly and in unison.  He closes his set with "Summertime" to a roaring ovation.  Coldplay's set from London is then piped onto the video screens and through the speakers...

07/02/05 - 1:28pm (DK):  Violins, a DJ, cellos, and a harp back up Kanye West...

07/02/05 - 1:18pm (DK):  The tentative Philadelphia Live 8 schedule, as posted yesterday on FMQB.com:

12:04 -- Paul McCartney & U2 Live from London
12:14 -- Black Eyed Peas
12:33 -- Bon Jovi
12:54 -- Madonna Live from London
1:00 -- Destiny's Child
1:16 -- Kanye West
1:30 -- Will Smith
1:50 -- Coldplay Live from London
1:56 -- Toby Keith
2:13 -- Dave Matthews Band
2:40 -- Alicia Keys
2:52 -- Def Leppard
3:10 -- Linkin Park and Jay-Z
3:50 -- Tim McGraw Live from Rome
3:56 -- Sarah McLachlan
4:11 -- Maroon 5
4:28 -- Green Day Live from Berlin
4:34 -- Keith Urban
4:48 -- Jars of Clay
4:56 -- Pink Floyd Live from London
5:00 -- Rob Thomas
5:21 -- Stevie Wonder

07/02/05 - 1:06pm (DK):  Chris Tucker moves the the mic and announces Destiny's Child.  They girls, dressed in all white, get a great crowd reaction.  The video screens behind the stage have started streaming names - part of a campaign to gather information to take to the G8.  To get your name on the list, text it to UNITE (86483).  Check back soon for ground level and press tent photos...

07/02/05 - 12:46PM (DK):  Don Cheadle takes the stage to speak and introduces Bon Jovi.  They open with "Living On A Prayer," go into "Have A Nice Day," and then "It's My Life" (exactly as they did in their sound check yesterday).  Cheadle called them one of the biggest bands from the most exotic locations - of course poking fun at New Jersey.  MTV has also started their live coverage...  

07/02/05 - 12:20pm (DK):  Black Eyed Peas continue their set playing "Let's Get It Started" and "Don't Mess With My Heart" along with a cover of Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up."  Bon Jovi is scheduled to be up next...

07/02/05 - 11:40am (DK):  Kaiser Chiefs take the stage officially starting the show.  They open with "I Predict A Riot."  After their set is done, Will Smith takes the stage and speaks to the crowd, welcoming them and reminding everyone what the concert is about.  The Black Eyed Peas take the stage quickly and begin their set...

07/02/05 - 11:27am (DK):  Rumors about The Rolling Stones continue.  We heard through email that a source close to the band reports Mick Jagger will make an appearance (and likely perform) towards the end of the schedule in Philadelphia today.  More info coming soon...

07/02/05 - 11:01am (DK):  If you have a report that you would like to contribute to this blog, or have specific local information you would like to see, email dkondylas@fmqb.com...

07/02/05 - 10:52am (DK):  The crowd continues to grow and now fills the Benjamin Franklin Parkway back towards 22nd Street.

07/02/05 - 9:42am (DK):  Philadelphia Mayor John Street goes on local news to talk about the preparations and talk about the event.  He compares todays line-up of artists to an NFL high-light reel and says he is most looking forward to Will Smith, who he thinks will be "the star of the show."  The mayor has been on site since about 7:00am and is currently on patrol with a Philadelphia Police Bicycle Patrol...

07/02/05 - 8:57am (DK):  Speakers are playing music to keep the swelling crowd entertained.  Current temperature is 77 degrees with the high expected to reach 84.  The video screens have been raised into place and begin showing performances from other cities and music videos.  Flipping between feeds, the audience gets to see and hear 98 Degress, Andrea Bocelli with the Philarmonie der Nationen, Joss Stone, and Tim McGraw...

07/01/05 - 9:55pm (DK):  An announcement is made from the stage that sound checks are done for the day.  The speaker asks people to clear the area and keep the streets open so the final preparations can continue.  FMQB will continue updates when sound check begins again tomorrow morning...

07/01/05 - 9:45pm (DK):  Fireworks explode in the distant sky as workers continue to prepare the site...

07/01/05 - 8:44pm (DK):  Toby Keith is in the middle of his run-through.  Playing on the video screens scattered around the venue, Apple iPod commercials, as Linkin Park and Jay-Z prepare to take their turn...

07/01/05 - 7:20pm (DK):  Will Smith begins his sound check, the first since the storms hit the area, with "Switch."  After finishing he yells to the crowd "We are home!" and starts in on the Fresh Prince Theme song.  "Summertime" follows with DJ Jazzy Jeff on backup.  As he closes the song, he calls out "We got nothin' but love for y'all.  Peace!"  The theme song for Rocky then starts up and Smith introduces Jeff...

07/01/05 - 6:00pm (DK):  Local radio station WMMR reports rumors that Bob Dylan may make a surprise appearance tomorrow.  Other eleventh hour rumors include a report that Aerosmith checked into a local hotel yesterday and that The Rolling Stones will appear on stage in at least one Live 8 city...

07/01/05 - 5:45pm (DK):  Heavy storms move through the area scattering crowds, blowing down fences, and causing production crews to scramble to protect equipment.  The weather was so severe that an outdoor show featuring Def Leppard and Bryan Adams scheduled for tonight was cancelled when equipment was reportedly damaged...

07/01/05 - 4:18pm (DK):  Rob Thomas moves into position to take his turn at sound check...

07/01/05 - 3:30pm (DK):  Def Leppard has taken the stage and is combining a cover of Frank Black's "I Want Rock And Roll" and their own "Rock Of Ages."  They followed that with a stunning rendition of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" that electrified the crowd...

07/01/05 - 3:08pm (DK):  From all sounds and appearances, Bruce Springsteen is now sound checking (or the producers are having fun with the crowd).  Rumors have been flying around Philadelphia for weeks about an appearance and they may finally be true.  Stay tuned...

07/01/05 - 2:46pm (DK):  Sound check has stopped for a moment as the remote speakers that will provide sound for the audience as far as 10 blocks away are raised and tested...

07/01/05 - 1:47pm (DK):  Bon Jovi sound checks in front of a crowd of hundreds, doing a set that includes "Living On A Prayer," the band's new single "Have A Nice Day," and "It's My Life."  Each song draws cheers that can be heard from 200 yards away while the music can easily be heard for more than 10 blocks in all directions...

07/01/05 - 11:17am (DK):  Sarah McLachlan sound checks as the crowds begin to gather.  The Philadelphia Inquirer printed the full sound check schedule in yesterday's paper, giving music fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see their favorite artists up close...

(DK) - FMQB's Drew Kondylas
(JO) - FMQB's Joey Odorisio
(MF) - FMQB's Mandy Feingold