Posted on 06/30/2005 1:09:41 PM PDT by TheOtherOne
Pop, but no alcohol in the park
By Alexa Baracaia, Evening Standard
30 June 2005
London's Live8 will be strictly alcohol-free, organisers of the all-day event have announced. But star acts and VIP guests will have bars.
The concert on Saturday will see 205,000 music fans descend on Hyde Park from 1pm to 9.30pm.
However, the only beverages served in the main site will be water and soft drinks, while tickets warn that bringing any sort of bottles and cans is strictly outlawed.
A Royal Parks spokesman confirmed: "The Live8 site will be dry. Nothing alcoholic will be sold and, according to the terms and conditions, people aren't going to be able to bring anything in with them."
He said the no-drinks rule was standard for similar Hyde Park events, despite the fact that last weekend's Wireless Festival laid on stalls including a margarita bar, champagne and Pimm's area and real-ale and Smirnoff tents. The Glastonbury Festival, which hosts around 120,000 people, also provides alcohol.
"Live8 isn't a festival, it's a concert and there are huge numbers of people entering the site, beyond anything we've had before," the spokesman said.
"It's usual not to have alcohol available at this sort of event - it's an issue of public safety. Party In The Park has the same regulations, for the simple fact of numbers of people."
But there will be bars in the backstage and so-called "golden circle" areas for about 5,000 VIPs, corporate guests and a select number of competition winners.
One ticket holder, who won access to the concert through the text lottery, said: "It doesn't seem at all fair that the so-called VIPs can drink and the rest of us will have to make do with water and fizzy drinks.
"It's the first concert I've been to that doesn't allow alcohol - and given that it's an all-day affair and not just a couple of hours it does seem rather harsh. I don't think people will be aware of this at all."
The Royal Parks are providing 500 stewards, while Met police officers will also patrol the site.
Although the exact details have not be formalised, refreshments and food outlets will be available for the estimated 55,000 who will watch the concert on giant screens near the Serpentine
Meanwhile, Ricky Gervais has penned two new comedy sketches to be shown at Live8. The Office star spoofs 1940s-style public information films in two "shorts" to be screened.
Weather reports suggest the day will begin with light showers with sunshine and cloud in the afternoon. Ticket holders are being warned to allow at least an hour for queuing and passing ticket checks. They are also being told to avoid the Hyde Park Corner entrance, which will only be open to Golden Circle guests. "If they turn up there they could face a two- or three-kilometre walk to get in around the other side of the park," a spokesman said.
Members of the public not attending Live8 are being urged to avoid the area.
Does anyone happen to know what time (EDT) that Pink Floyd will be playing? That is about all that's worth watching in this thing IMO.....
I tried the Live 8 propaganda site to find out but couldn't stomach it very long.
For the "important" people
When the hoi polloi learns this is a dry event I predict the rabble will storm the bars of the elitists and steal their alcohol.
After all they are marxists by and large.
Pink Floyd reunion is the only positive I see coming out of this thing too.
I think it is funny how the VIP and acts get liquor, while the peon get water and soda.
Pop? Que es "pop"? No hablo "pop". But, my favorite coke is Dr. Pepper.
Yeah the "but star acts and VIP guests will have bars. . . " quote is telling.
ALL GOOD LIBERALS KNOW some are more equal than others.
I hope they don't hold them to the fifteen minute time limit per act format. They'll only make it through 2/3 of "Wish You Were Here".
Shame to see such a great moment wasted on Live8.
Yes, after all, it's those rich white liberals who are gonna pony up the money they want anyway, the rest are just wogs, slackers on the dole and hippie trash.
Get used to being used, loser.
I used to sneak bottles in my bra. I could become quite chesty if the occasion called for it. : )
Back in my younger, crazier days you would have been my kind of people.... :-)
I agree with you. Only group worth watching.
LOL! Those days (daze?) are long gone for me too, but I do look back fondly on some of them...sigh..... : )
And the pigs said,"Four legs good, two legs better."
Fizzy drinks (must be a UK version)
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