Universal Records say they will release the new version of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas' on 29 Nov, just two weeks after the scheduled recording date of 14 Nov. Presumably the hope is that an early release will maximise the sales period before Christmas - ensuring as many records are sold as possible (and therefore as much money is raised for the charities). That said, with the fickle modern music market, an early release may mean the Band Aid track gets to number one in the first week of Dec, but has slipped down the chart by the time the Christmas top ten is compiled.
Stars signed up for the project now include Sugababes, Robbie Williams, Justin Hawkins, Chris Martin, Dido, Fran Healey, Beverley Knight, Jamelia, Supergrass' Danny Goffey and Morcheeba's Skye Edwards.
Geoffrey Wonfor, who filmed The Beatles' Anthology, is being lined up to shoot the video on the day, while artist Damien Hirst is set to design the CD sleeve