Overview

• The first two episodes of Live Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World premiered on BBC Two on July 6, earning acclaim for their intimate portrayal of the 1985 famine relief concerts.
• Exclusive interviews with Bob Geldof, Bono, Sting and Midge Ure revisit the rapid organisation of Band Aid and the dual London and Philadelphia Live Aid events.
• Ethiopian figures including politician Dawit Giorgis and famine survivor Birhan Woldu share personal testimonies that illuminate cultural misunderstandings and humanitarian impacts.
• Critics and viewers have described the series as profoundly moving for its emotional depth and candid exploration of behind-the-scenes dynamics.
• The documentary also probes controversies over fund distribution, questions of diversity in the lineup and the contested “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” lyric.