Live Earth Highlights (and Lowlights)

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While Drudge and Murdoch wore themselves out trying to discredit the event, Live Earth’s multi-nation concerts went off Saturday without much of a hitch. Here’s a quick wrap-up of some news, commentary, and videos:

mojo-photo-hetfield.JPG – Metallica’s James Hetfield was apparently barred entry to Luton airport on his way to perform at the London event because of his “Taliban-like” beard. Idolator said it made Metallica seem “the edgiest they have in years.”

– The Telegraph pointed out the lack of major “campaigning” artists (U2, Radiohead, Coldplay, REM, etc.) or interesting reunions: “Live8 got Pink Floyd, Live Earth got Spinal Tap.”

– Microsoft said Live Earth drew over 10 million internet viewers, the most for a concert broadcast ever. Perhaps that explains its poor TV ratings?

– BBC2 aired the Wembley event without delay, meaning a whole variety of foul language was beamed directly into England’s unsuspecting households.

– The largest attendance was at Rio’s event on Copacabana beach, which, by the way, featured kid’s TV star Xuxa!

Videos after the jump.

– Notable performances included Madonna at Wembley, who brought out New York gypsy-punk band Gogol Bordello to assist with a revamped (and mashed-up?) version of “La Isla Bonita”:

(Continue watching the segue into “Hung Up” here)

– Retro-rockers Wolfmother doing “Dimension” and “Woman” in Sydney:

– Nunatak, live from Antarctica, making your fingers cold just by watching them:

– Joss Stone in Johannesburg:

– Rihanna in Tokyo:

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We just wrapped up a shorter-than-normal, urgent-as-ever fundraising drive and we came up about $45,000 short of our $300,000 goal.

That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June.

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