Musical events are a very effective way to earn money from donations to send to help in the medical or social sphere. Grants are often spent on environmental development or support for political parties. When organizing such events, it is believed that the audience combines business with pleasure. Artists can engage in creativity and actualize themselves as a political force to help mobilize human and financial resources.
At charity events, stars of various sizes perform who want to help promote an idea. Usually, they want “the money to come from philanthropists, the private sector, and the super-wealthy” (Williams, para. 5). During the existence of multiple projects, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, and others managed to participate in them. For example, Adele, Beyoncé, and Elton John took part in the All is One Orlando Unity Concert in 2016. The headliners of the event were the rock band Imagine Dragons. During the Concert for Bangladesh: Madison Square Gardens, New York City (1971), Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Bob Dylan, and other top-rated performers became participants (Rosenthal and Flack). The organizers of the event can be outsiders, businessmen, public figures, and performers. The recent One World: Together at Home concert is an example of the latter. This event was organized by Lady Gaga, one of the performers. Another example is Live 8 in 2005, hosted by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.
Sometimes performers are directly related to the events in which they take part for charity. Such examples include Lady Gaga, but the most traditional here would be to mention Michael Jackson. “We Are the World” by the USA for Africa has become one of the classic examples of an individual-inspired charity initiative. His song, which headlined the event, became a symbol of helping African countries suffering from hunger, poverty, and climatic conditions; his “music is very emotional” (“Why Music Is the Best Bet for Charity Events.”). The lyrics of his songs inspired people and instilled faith in a better tomorrow.
Performers can collect enormous sums; for example, the music initiative America: A Tribute to Heroes in 2001 raised over $200 million (Pitts). It was dedicated to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Harrison states: “In the confusing and emotionally fraught days following the terrorist attacks,” people tried to help each other (para. 8). The proceeds went for the treatment of the victims, compensation for damages, and payments to the families of the heroes who eliminated the consequences of the attack.
Another example is the festival “We Are the World” by the USA for Africa. This initiative has raised about $50-75 million (Alexander). Concert for Bangladesh: Madison Square Gardens, New York City (1971) grossed over $12-20 million (Pitts). This money went to the UNICEF fund to help Bangladesh. Such initiatives through music bring people together for problems such as social upheaval, poverty, and natural disasters (Nicosia). Another example of assistance in a terrorist attack was the All is One Orlando Unity Concert in 2016 (almost one million raised). Its purpose was to help victims of a shootout; such initiatives often aim to draw great attention around the world to a problem.
The use and distribution of money in such matters fall on the shoulders of the organizers with a real burden. The organizers of Live 8 in 2005 suffered greatly from this, as they were accused by journalists covering the festival in London; Bob Geldof and Midge Ure had ambitious goals. Initially, it was planned to spend about $25 billion on the fight against poverty by the G8 summit (“What Was Live 8 and Why Did It Happen?”). This is an example of a specific monetary goal that organizers set themselves before launching an event. The organizers proposed to double this amount; still, this did not save them from a flurry of criticism. Journalists expressed distrust of the motivation of the organizers and their desire not to help Africa in the fight against hunger and poverty but to remind people of aging musicians.
Cooperation with wealthy politicians seemed very strange to journalists. Any financial assistance to Africa must be wise so that the money does not fall into the hands of authoritarian regimes (for example, such as the regimes of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe and Idi Amin in Uganda). Because of this, journalists accused the organizers of inattention and neglect of the fundamental problems of Africa (“What Was Live 8 and Why Did It Happen?”). It raises a serious question about such creative initiatives since it is often difficult for the organizers to trace the fate of the collected money independently (“What Was Live 8 and Why Did It Happen?”). The intention of the organizers, in this case, is very understandable, but it is not known whether the money will achieve specific goals. In addition, the organizers of Live 8 in 2005 had problems with the lack of inclusiveness of musicians who performed.
The organization of musical events to raise money is an excellent opportunity to combine beneficial social activity and pleasant leisure. Many of these events are created to support the poor and the fight against cruelty and poverty. The organizers draw people’s attention to the severe problems of our time. They team up with politicians who can help them send money to those in need. However, journalists can rightly criticize such activities for lack of understanding of the present situation and the causes of problems, be it hunger or poverty. People often try to take care of distant countries, empathically getting involved in their problems, but at the same time, they do not rationally realize that their help can harm other people.
Works Cited
Alexander, Lynsey. “Top 4 Songs That Raised Money to Fight Poverty.”The Borgen Project, 2020.
Harris, Keith. “10 Great Concerts for a Cause”. The Rolling Stones, 2015.
“Lady Gaga Performs ‘Smile’ | One World: Together at Home.”YouTube, uploaded by Global Citizen, 2020.
Nicosia, Layne. The Devastation of Hurricane Katrina: Facts, Damage and Aftermath of This Devasting Hurricane: New Orleans in the Aftermath of a Natural Disaster. Independently published, 2021.
“One World: Together at Home.”Global Citizen, 2020.
Pitts, Jacob. “On This Day In 2001, Stars Unite For “America: A Tribute To…”.”NYS Music, 2020.
Rosenthal, Rob, and Richard Flacks. Playing for Change: Music and Musicians in the Service of Social Movements. 1st ed., Routledge, 2012.
“What Was Live 8 and Why Did It Happen?”Forest Gold Radio, 2018.
“Why Music Is the Best Bet for Charity Events.” MN2S, 2019. Web.
Williams, Ollie. “The Story Behind the World’s Biggest Charity Concert: What Was It All For?”Forbes, 2020.