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The BBC is turning up the volume this summer with a powerful new documentary series and a full-scale programming celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, the legendary charity concert that united the world through music. Titled Live Aid At 40, the flagship series promises never-before-heard stories and an intimate look behind the scenes of one of the most iconic events in music history.
Airing this July on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, Live Aid At 40 dives deep into the planning, politics, and powerful performances that defined the 1985 mega-concert. Organised by Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof and Ultravox’s Midge Ure, Live Aid brought together the biggest names in rock and pop to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, and reached an estimated global audience of nearly two billion.
The new series is set to feature exclusive interviews with many of the key players involved, including Geldof himself, U2 frontman Bono, and even former US president George Bush, offering a unique blend of music, politics, and personal insight. According to Emma Hindley, BBC’s Commissioning Editor, viewers can expect “an irresistible and entertaining ride” through the 40-year journey since the original broadcast, packed with rare footage and compelling stories from the stars who made it happen.
“Live Aid At 40 revels in the music, unravels the politics and explores the legacy of Live Aid,” Hindley said. “It’s a behind-the-scenes story that has never been told quite like this before.”
But that’s not all. In a move sure to thrill fans old and new, the BBC will also broadcast Live Aid The Concert (working title), an extended highlights show allowing audiences to relive more than six-and-a-half hours of electrifying performances from Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium. This marks the first time since the original airing in 1985 that the concert will be shown in such a comprehensive format on the BBC.
With performances from the likes of Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, Madonna, and The Who, Live Aid was more than just a concert, it was a cultural phenomenon that changed the role of music in global activism. The BBC’s anniversary programming aims not only to revisit the unforgettable performances, but also to reflect on how a single day reshaped music, media, and humanitarian efforts around the world.
Get ready to plug in, turn up the volume, and travel back to the summer of '85, because Live Aid At 40 is ready to rock a whole new generation.
