Live Aid at 40 on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer – relive the concert that changed the world and explore its lasting legacy

This July, BBC Two and Radio 2 will commemorate the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, which took place on Saturday, July 13, 1985.

BBC Two and BBC iPlayer will broadcast Live Aid at 40, revealing the behind-the-scenes story of the 1985 concert. Exclusive interviews feature iconic figures such as Bob Geldof, Bono, and Sting, alongside world leaders and Birhan Woldu, the woman who, as a dying child, became the enduring image of the Wembley concert and the famine.

Emma Hindley, BBC Commissioning Editor, said, “The series takes the audience on an irresistible and entertaining ride through the 40 years since the biggest live concert ever was shown on TV. Featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with an array of stars of rock & pop, Live Aid at 40 revels in the music, unravels the politics and explores the legacy of Live Aid.”

Also coming to BBC Two in July is Live Aid: The Concert. On a dazzling summer’s day in 1985, the UK came to a standstill to watch a concert on the BBC – 16 hours of music performed by some of the world’s greatest artists, including David Bowie, Madonna, George Michael, Mick Jagger, Patti LaBelle, Phil Collins, Queen, Spandau Ballet, Sade, Sting, Status Quo, Tina Turner and U2. The concert was Live Aid, brought together by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure following the success of the Band Aid single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

Approximately two billion people watched the broadcast in more than 100 countries. Now, for the first time since 1985, BBC Two gives viewers a chance to relive over 6.5 hours of extended highlights of the London and Philadelphia concerts, in addition to backstage footage, including interviews with Bono, Brian May, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Howard Jones, Roger Daltrey, Spandau Ballet, Sting, The Style Council and a transatlantic interview with Phil Collins on Concorde.

Jonathan Rothery, Head of BBC Popular Music TV, said, “This summer we’re delighted to be giving viewers a chance to relive one of the biggest concerts in history for the first time on TV since it was originally broadcast on the BBC. By providing over 6.5 hours of footage that was captured on the day Live Aid took place, we want viewers to feel transported back to 1985 and to enjoy all those classic songs that we all still know and love to this day as they were performed on that stage.”

Live Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World airs on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Live Aid: The Concert airs on BBC Two in two parts on Saturday, 12th July.