Bob Geldof's Live Aid musical Just For One Day divides critics as it's branded a 'shockingly tone-deaf tribute to himself' with 'flat as a pancake characters' and a 'clunky script'
Live Aid - one of the most famous charity concerts of all time - is back... but not quite as fans know it.
The event, which was originally held in Philadelphia as well as at Wembley Stadium on 13 July 1985, has been turned into a stage musical at the Old Vic in London.
Titled Just For One Day, the musical relives the day when the likes of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross and more united on stage to raise funds and awareness for the Ethiopian famine crisis.
The plot of the production, which takes its name from a line in David Bowie's song Heroes, combines a behind-the-scenes look at how Band Aid and Live Aid came together with a love story inspired by real events.
Last night, Bob Geldof, 72, who organised the original event with fellow musician Midge Ure, was among a slew of celebrities at the press night for the new musical. He was joined by his daughter Pixie at the start-studded outing.
![Live Aid, which was originally held in Philadelphia as well as at Wembley Stadium on 13 July 1985, has been turned into a stage musical at the Old Vic in London (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81254121-13082407-image-a-35_1707915637496.jpg)
Live Aid, which was originally held in Philadelphia as well as at Wembley Stadium on 13 July 1985, has been turned into a stage musical at the Old Vic in London (pictured)
![Last night, Bob Geldof , 72, who organised the original event with fellow musician Midge Ure, was among a slew of celebrities at the press night for the new musical. He was joined by his daughter Pixie (pictured alongside one another) at the start-studded outing](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81254123-13082407-image-m-36_1707915690982.jpg)
Last night, Bob Geldof , 72, who organised the original event with fellow musician Midge Ure, was among a slew of celebrities at the press night for the new musical. He was joined by his daughter Pixie (pictured alongside one another) at the start-studded outing
With the first reviews in, TV critics have been offering up their verdicts; The Guardian's Arifa Akbar said the 'production also encapsulates the apex of the white saviour complex'.
Elsewhere, City A.M's Adam Bloodworth said the musical felt 'tone deaf', adding: 'In another world Just For One Day would properly interrogate where white aid went wrong over the past forty years.'
Here, FEMAIL takes a look at the TV critics' verdicts on the musical...
![The show features the music of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders and more](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81235105-13082407-The_show_features_the_music_of_Bob_Dylan_David_Bowie_The_Who_U2_-a-44_1707916042321.jpg)
The show features the music of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders and more
![Titled Just For One Day, the musical (pictured) relives the day when the likes of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross and more united on stage to raise funds and awareness for the Ethiopian famine crisis](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81235083-13082407-The_original_Live_Aid_concert_was_staged_to_raise_funds_for_fami-a-45_1707916052984.jpg)
Titled Just For One Day, the musical (pictured) relives the day when the likes of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross and more united on stage to raise funds and awareness for the Ethiopian famine crisis
![Claire Sweeney oozed elegance in a shimmering ensemble for the press night of Just For One Day](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81225621-13082407-The_Dancing_On_Ice_star_who_was_recently_booted_out_of_the_compe-a-48_1707916678327.jpg)
Claire Sweeney oozed elegance in a shimmering ensemble for the press night of Just For One Day
![Arlene Phillips, 80, cut a causal figure in a grey suit and black roll-neck jumper as she arrived at the theatre](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81225405-13082407-Arlene_Phillips_80_cut_a_causal_display_in_a_grey_suit_and_black-m-52_1707916745868.jpg)
![Darcey Bussell looked stylish in red trousers and a black coat, teamed with a multi-coloured scarf](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81225735-13082407-Darcey_Bussell_looked_stylish_in_red_trousers_and_a_black_over_c-a-53_1707916754876.jpg)
Arlene Phillips, 80, cut a causal figure in a grey suit and black roll-neck jumper as she arrived at the theatre, pictured left. Pictured right: Darcey Bussell looked stylish in red trousers and a black coat, teamed with a multi-coloured scarf
![Carrie Hope Fletcher (pictured left) and Tom Fletcher attend the press night performance at The Old Vic Theatre](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81226223-13082407-Tom_Fletcher_arrived_on_the_carpet_alongside_a_pal_to_watch_the_-m-55_1707916786235.jpg)
Carrie Hope Fletcher (pictured left) and Tom Fletcher attend the press night performance at The Old Vic Theatre
![Lenny Henry and his partner Lisa Makin looked every inch the happy couple as they attended the press night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81226219-13082407-Dawn_French_L_and_Lenny_Henry_R_were_all_smiles_at_the_press_nig-a-56_1707916911120.jpg)
Lenny Henry and his partner Lisa Makin looked every inch the happy couple as they attended the press night
THE GUARDIAN
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81254403-13082407-image-a-37_1707915840014.jpg)
An unimpressed Arifa Akbar of The Guardian said the musical had 'soaring voices' but 'pancake-flat characters' and suggested viewers may as well be listening 'the compilation tape, Now That’s What I Call Music 1985 – or Heart FM on full blast'.
The reviewer claimed the 'production also encapsulates the apex of the white saviour complex'.
'For its critics, this day sealed a patronising image of Africa as a continent desperate for, and dependent on, western aid,' said Arifa. 'Some discussion on this is raised, mostly through aid worker Amara (Abiona Omonua) but it is an undigested nod.'
THE INDEPENDENT
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81254411-13082407-image-a-40_1707915882729.jpg)
'This Live Aid musical is Bob Geldof’s tribute to... himself,' claimed The Independent's Alice Saville.
The reviewer said: 'The Old Vic’s musical about Bob’s generation-defining Wembley concert for Ethiopia powerfully deploys hits like 'Bohemian Rhapsody - but in the end is just a massive celebration of the sweary Irish star’s legacy.'
CITY A.M
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81254407-13082407-image-a-38_1707915865994.jpg)
City A.M's Adam Bloodworth said that despite the entertaining music, 'you just can’t stop coming back to the idea that staging a celebratory show about an out-of-date movement given the current social climate feels utterly tone deaf.'
In a withering review, he added: 'In another world Just For One Day would properly interrogate where white aid went wrong over the past forty years.
'But here is another musical putting white saviour stereotypes first. Worst of all, you get the impression all these people standing up and clapping at the end will go home none the wiser about the plight of impoverished nations around the world.'
THE FINANCIAL TIMES
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81254385-13082407-image-a-41_1707915900001.jpg)
Sarah Hemming of The Financial Times praised the production's 'energy' but said the speech was 'often clunky'.
'The script is often awkward and heavy with explanation, spelling out points that should just emerge from the story,' she explained.
'Meanwhile, both individuals and issues have little time to acquire any depth or subtlety.'
THE TELEGRAPH
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81254417-13082407-image-a-43_1707915922204.jpg)
The Telegraph's Chief Theatre Critic Dominic Cavendish insisted even the hardest cynic will admire the musical production.
He added: 'You can carp about the moments of blunt exposition or the sketchiness of the characters, especially the sample of unsung toilers and concert-goers.
'But as with the day itself, cynicism melts into admiration. Whether you were there, in situ or on sofa, first time round or not, be prepared for a smile on your lips, a tear in your eyes and a lingering itch to do good.'
EVENING STANDARD
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81254399-13082407-image-a-57_1707917927580.jpg)
The Standard's Farah Najib said Just For One Day included stories of 'the little people' in a bid to avoid making Geldof seem the hero - but the characters were 'largely two-dimensional and speak in cringey one-liners'.
The reviewer added: 'If you’re in the mood for a heady cocktail of aggressive nostalgia, 80s bangers, and very impressive singing voices, then this might be the show for you.
'Just be prepared for a garnish of corny dialogue and a dash of white saviourism,' said the critic.
THE TIMES
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/13/81254405-13082407-image-a-58_1707918000640.jpg)
The Times' Clive Davis insisted 'the script is awfully wooden at times' when reviewing the musical.
However, he added: 'It’s a jukebox show at heart, but the good news is that the performances avoid Stars in Your Eyes impersonations.'