Band Aid 30_ A Star-Studded Charity Supergroup

Band Aid 30: A Star-Studded Charity Supergroup

Band Aid 30 was a charity supergroup assembled in 2014 to record a new version of the iconic song ”Do They Know It's Christmas?” The project aimed to raise funds for the Ebola crisis in West Africa. This incarnation of Band Aid featured a diverse lineup of popular British and Irish musicians, bringing together established stars and emerging talents.

The group was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, who had also been behind the original 1984 Band Aid and subsequent versions. The 2014 recording marked the 30th anniversary of the original release, hence the name ”Band Aid 30.”

While the exact number of participants may have varied slightly during the recording process, the core group of Band Aid 30 members included:

One Direction (Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik)

Ed Sheeran

Ellie Goulding

Sam Smith

Chris Martin (Coldplay)

Bono (U2)

Sin茅ad O'Connor

Rita Ora

Emeli Sand茅

Paloma Faith

Jessie Ware

Seal

Olly Murs

Bastille

Guy Garvey (Elbow)

Additional contributors included:

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Angelique Kidjo

Clean Bandit

Fuse ODG

Roger Taylor (Queen)

Karl Hyde (Underworld)

The recording also featured some non-singing celebrities who spoke parts of the lyrics, including:

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Chris Martin (Coldplay, also sang)

Zoella (YouTube personality)

Alfie Deyes (YouTube personality)

The production team included:

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Paul Epworth (producer)

Bob Geldof (organizer)

Midge Ure (organizer)

This diverse group of artists came together to lend their voices and support to the cause, creating a modern version of the charity single that resonated with a new generation of listeners. The collaboration showcased the power of music to unite people for a common cause and raise awareness about global issues.

The Band Aid 30 version of ”Do They Know It's Christmas?” was released on November 17, 2014, and quickly topped the UK Singles Chart. It raised millions of pounds for Ebola relief efforts in West Africa, continuing the tradition of using music as a force for positive change that began with the original Band Aid in 1984.