I love music and espeically live music. Before children, my wife and I would buy season long "grass passes" to the local concert pavillions and brave heat, humidity, a fairly long drive and a plethora of fan bases to see dozens of concerts each summer (including one summer where we saw five concerts in six days). While I generally shy away from politically motivated concert shows (like Live Earth), I will catch highlights of the show of acts that I either enjoy live or have never seen live.
One of the dangers of a live, outdoor show, is weather. Let's face it, weather can make or break a show. But the irony of the Live Earth Johannesburg concernt organizers blaming climate change for poor turnout is just too rich. The concert, held outdoors in the Southern Hemisphere's winter season, featured Joss Stone (whom I like but have never seen live for a whole show), UB40 (who I didn't know was still around) and other artists.
Critics blamed poor publicity for teh lack of a showing.
In all probability, it was, of course, both items to blame. Just about 10 days before the concert, Johannesburg recorded four inches of snow--its first snowfall in 16 years. Of course, publicity can overcome some weather issues, and while some people will brave heat, humidity, rain, mud and other weather conditions, these conditions are easily solved by a shower or air conditioning. However, it takes a hardy soul to be cold for 10 hours to listen to music when you can just as easily watch on TV or online.
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