It won't, however, include a performance from either Blur or Gorillaz after Damon Albarn dismissed the Live 8 concert for being patronizing to the African people, adding that the careers of those who take part will benefit as much as the people the benefit event claims to support.
Commenting on the previously reported lack of black or urban talent on the Live 8 bill, Albarn told Radio 4's Today programme: "This country is incredibly diverse. More than ever, black culture is an integral part of society. So why is the bill so damn Anglo-Saxon? If you are holding a party on behalf of people, then surely you don't shut the door on them. It's insensitive and it also perpetuates this idea that Africa is separated in some way."
Admitting that he hadn't been asked to play at the Live 8 event, Albarn, who released an album with musicians from Mali in 2002, said: "I don't want to take part in an event that is so exclusive. Is this the most effective way to help Africa? Live 8 treat Africa like it was a failing, ill, sick, tired place. My personal experience of Africa is that yes, I have witnessed all those things there. But it's incredibly sophisticated - the society and the structure of people's lives is as sophisticated, if not more sophisticated in some ways, than in the West."
Live 8 organisers again stressed that Geldof has programmed the London concert to deliver maximum impact, adding that most of the artists from the black music scene with suitably big appeal were not available. They also pointed out that, since the original 'lack of black artists' controversy circulated in the media, Ms Dynamite, Snoop Dogg and Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour had all been added to the London line up, while Stevie Wonder, 50 Cent and Jay-Z would all take to the Live 8 stage in Philadelphia.
Albarn also dealt with the issue of artists using the charity event for self-promotion. He suggested there should be "some kind of tariff" on record companies, arguing: "All the artists that play there will enjoy increased record sales - if they play a good gig, they will benefit from it. Artists should put pressure on their record labels to genuinely show this is an altruistic act and that there is no self-gain in it, by donating a share of any extra record sale profits to the cause".