Live 8

Live 8 was a string of 10 simultaneous benefit concerts that took place on 2 July 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa.

They were timed to precede the G8 Conference and summit held at Gleneagles from 6-8 July 2005; they also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Live Aid. Run in support of the aims of the UK’s Make Poverty History campaign and the Global Call for Action Against Poverty, the shows planned to pressure world leaders to drop the debt of the world’s poorest nations, increase and improve aid, and negotiate fair trade rules in the interest of poorer countries.

250,000 people attended the rapidly conceived and executed London concert, in Hyde Park. MRL managed site and event safety. Particular attention had to be given to exit strategies and transport, as the late finish meant that people risked being stranded in central London overnight. We worked closely with all responders and facilitated a temporary multi-agency silver control room using Atlas OPS.