All this talk about Canada's Live 8 concert being a bunch of has-beens, I had a little peruse around to see who was signed up.

So far, it's

Bryan Adams (didn't he stop considering himself Canadian a long time ago, anyhow?)
Jann Arden
Bachman Cummings Band (ok, slight casino fare, but they're showing up...can't fault that!)
Barenaked Ladies
Blue Rodeo
Bruce Cockburn
Celine Dion (by satellite, because she can't get Rene away from the card table)
Gordon Lightfoot (wow, he's alive?)
Motley Crue
Deep Purple
Our Lady Peace
Simple Plan
Sam Roberts
Tragically Hip
Great Big Sea (for this alone, I would be there!)
African Guitar Summit
Tom Cochrane
Doba Caracol featuring K'naan
Les Trois Accords
Tegan & Sara
Dan Aykroyd and Tom Green (hosts)

If it were on this side of the coast, I'd see it. As far as has-been's go, come on...you start to plan something this close to the event and expect everyone to drop and run to you? During the summer, when most concerts happen anyway? The list is pretty damned impressive, considering the time crunch. We tried planning a birthday party for my mother a month ago, and couldn't even get the whole family together. Planning, people! July 2, 2006 might have given a little more play...not to mention having it on a holiday long weekend.

Now if Gowan, Corey Hart...or even Honeymoon Suite were on there, I might feel differently. Oh, or Anne Murray for that matter.

Geldof, and for that matter Bono, are mouthing off about the lack of funding from governments. The ol' magic 0.7% (which translates into $12 BILLION out of the Canadian coffers). Well, I may criticize Martin fairly frequently, but I am quite happy he's not opening up the purse. Sure, world poverty sucks but there are much more important things in our own backyard that need cleaning up before anything else. By the way, how much is Geldof giving to the concert? Other than his time and name?

Will I watch it? Probably not. It's the Canada Day weekend, and I can think of a lot better things to do than watch a concert. I'd rather do something celebrating my own country. Actually, this is what I'll be doing that day.