It is being billed as the greatest music show ever. Its aim is to persuade world leaders to do more to help the poor.

Today is Live 8 day and from London to Philadelphia, from Tokyo to Johannesburg, a galaxy of rock and roll stars will grace stages in a bid to influence the upcoming G8 summit of major industrialised nations. Organizer Bob Geldof believes the concerts will eclipse the fund-raising sensation Live Aid, 20 years ago. This time round he wants the event to be about people power, not money. Live 8 today will take place in 10 venues on four continents. On Wednesday, a further concert will be held in Edinburgh to mark the first day of the summit, which is taking place nearby. The Scottish city however will also play a key role in today’s proceedings. Live 8 is linked to the Make Poverty History campaign which is organizing a mass march in Edinburgh. A record 250,000 protesters are expected to take part, amid tight security. It is unclear whether Live 8 will convince world leaders to do more to alleviate global poverty. But Bob Geldof and others are doing their utmost to ensure their message will be difficult to ignore.

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