CELEBRITIES have been confounded by the coronavirus calamity. First millionaire singer Sam Smith took to Instagram with a series of snaps that depicted his "quarantine meltdown" while self-isolating. The poor thing. Then came Madonna's bizarre address to the world from her rose-petal filled bath, when she told us the virus is "the great equaliser". Sure our hard-pressed care workers appreciated that.
But now the rich and famous are doing something useful?
They sure are. And it's mostly thanks to flamboyant pop star Lady Gaga (best known for wearing a dress made of raw meat) who announced a concert in conjunction with Global Citizen and the World Health Organisation called One World: Together At Home to raise money for the Covid-19 Response Fund.
Who's appearing?
Everyone who is anyone, and probably some who aren't. There will be Andrea Bocelli, youngster Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Coldplay's Chris Martin, John Legend, Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. Oh, and David and Victoria Beckham.
How can you have a concert during lockdown?
It's been dubbed Live Aid for the digital generation, and the acts will all appear from their own homes and fans can watch the global six-hour event on live streams on their phones, laptops, tablets etc. The digital stream will be available on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Can we watch it on telly?
Yes, there will be a highlights package of the concert, presented by Clara Amfo, Claudia Winkleman and Dermot O'Leary on BBC One tomorrow. There will be performances from Ellie Goulding, George the Poet, Jess Glynne, The Kingdom Choir, Little Mix, Michael Bublé, Rag’n’Bone Man, Skip Marley and Tom Jones. It will also feature interviews with frontline workers, too.
What does the Beeb say?
Lorna Clarke, controller of BBC Pop, said there will be, "exclusive performances from some of the world's most popular artists. Our two-hour programme promises to be a very special way to support and thank frontline healthcare workers at this challenging time." There’s always Filthy House SOS on Channel 5, if you’d rather.
Where will the cash go?
The money will go toward funding personal protection equipment, testing kits and laboratory capacity to process the tests, especially in the developing world.
So is Lady Gaga the new Bob Geldof?
Geldof and our own, often-overlooked, Midge Ure organised Live Aid in 1985, and it eventually raised $127 million (more than £100m). Lady Gaga's already raised $35 million (around £28m) and the concert hasn't even happened yet, so maybe. Not sure she'll be so adept as Geldof was at the swearing, though. Although he never actually said: "Give us your f***ing money". It's an urban myth.
BBC One will air its adapted coverage from 7.15pm-9.15pm on Sunday.
GARRY SCOTT
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