Sir Bob Geldof announced that he has begun assembling a team of pop stars to take part in a rerecording of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Band Aid single.
“Do They Know It’s Christmas,” written by Geldof and Midge Ure, first came out in 1984, featuring a huge array of famous singers. The Band Aid single was originally created to raise funds to combat famine in Ethiopia.
In honor of the song’s 30th anniversary, Geldolf announced that he and Ure would be returning with a new charitable album, Band Aid 30. Band Aid 30 will raise money to help treat Ebola in Africa. “Thirty years ago people wanted to help and wanted to make a difference. We want that again,” Ure said.
Geldof announced Band Aid 30 at a press conference on Monday, teasing that acts featured on the new version of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” will come mostly from France, Germany and America, nothing that popular French acts Daft Punk and Johnny Hallyday would both be recording the song. Geldof hinted that he was in talks with Adele and was trying to confirm Rita Ora, who was attached to the project, but might be forced to back out due to contractual obligations to The Voice UK. He has also reached out to David Bowie, who participated in the original 1984 recording.
Though Geldof did not name any other acts at the original announcement, it has since been revealed that superstars Ed Sheeran, Bono, Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding, Emili Sandé, Sam Smith, Rita Ora, Paloma Faith, Sinnead O’Connor, Bastille and One Direction are all participating.
To raise funds and awareness for the project, Band Aid 30 is also hosting a contest for fans, who can win a trip to see the stars record “Do They Know It’s Christmas” at a London studio. “You’ll meet the artists, and if you like, you can record a line so you can experience the recording process from the artist’s side as well,” reads the contest guidelines.
To enter the contest, you must donate to Band Aid before Nov. 12, and the recording is set to take place Saturday, Nov. 15.
To reflect the difference in causes – famine to Ebola – Geldof announced that he and Ure have changed some of the lyrics to the classic Christmas song. For example, Geldof explained that he removed references to a “burning sun” because countries most affected by the Ebola virus are “lush.”
While the revival of a charitable track sounds like a good idea, not everyone is applauding Band Aid 30. In fact, the announcement has drawn criticism from people who see it as “patronizing.”
Another point of contention is the marketing of Band Aid 30. Geldolf unveiled the album’s official logo, which will be featured on CDs and t-shirts, and announced that in addition to the ‘#BandAid30,’ the song would use the hashtag ‘#E30LA.’
“Do They Know It’s Christmas” will be released on November 17.
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