Next month marks the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, and to celebrate Greatest Hits Radio is playing a 10 hour special concert.
Hosted by Simon Mayo, the 40th anniversary concert will air on 13 July at 12 noon, and will feature all of the original live performances from the Wembley Stadium concert.
The epic Live Aid concert took place in London and Philadelphia on 13 July 1985, to raise money for the Ethiopian famine. Organised by rock stars Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, the concerts were an unprecedented global music event that brought 1.5 billion people together.
The West End cast of hit new musical Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical, which is about the Live Aid concerts, will also join the show to commentate and talk about their show, and Live Aid.
There will also be commentary from Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp, who performed at the event.
Legendary performances will range from Queen’s extraordinary 21-minute live performance, to David Bowie’s emotional set, including Heroes, Paul McCartney, The Who, and many more.
Live Aid raised more than £114m for famine relief, and Greatest Hits Radio is partnering with the Band Aid Charitable Trust for the broadcast, named Live Aid Relived.
The Band Aid trust co-founder Bob Geldof, and co-organiser of Live Aid, said in a statement: “Thank you Greatest Hits Radio for hopefully letting people know that they are not powerless in the face of human monstrosity. What better time than now to know and understand the power of music and what it can achieve.”
Simon Mayo said: “I was there as a paying customer 40 years ago and I can’t wait to relive that extraordinary day. Apart from finding a place to park in Wembley, of course.”
Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is now playing at the West End’s Shaftesbury Theatre in London following an acclaimed run last year at The Old Vic, and is booking to 10 January 2026.
The cast of Just For One Day features Craige Els (Doctor Who, Matilda The Musical), who reprises his performance as Bob Geldof in the show, with Tim Mahendran as Harvey Goldsmith; Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Amara; Julie Atherton as Margaret Thatcher; Ashley Samuels as Jim; Jake Small as John Kennedy; Tamara Tare as Alicia; Jason Battersby as David; Kelly Agbowu as Marsha; Jordan Cambridge-Taylor as Stevie; Eloise Davies as Maria; James Hameed as Khalil; Fayth Ifil as Jemma; Melissa Jacques as Suzanne; Hope Kenna as Young Suzanne; AJ Lewis as Kai; Freddie Love as Skye; Jack Michael Stacey as Tim; Emily Ooi as Ellie; and George Ure as Midge Ure.
Off-stage swings are Kerry Enright (Bella); Evan Fox Harrison (Archie); Esme Laudat (Seraphina); Jaye Marshall (Rhianne / Dance Captain); Sadie-Jean Shirley (Willow / Assistant Dance Captain); Lukin Simmonds (Vill); and Dyd Wynford (Malcolm). Eddie Mann is Bob Walking Understudy;
The musical was a box-office success last year at The Old Vic, playing to a record-breaking 99% full houses across the run, and opened for its current West End run in May 2025 (read a round-up of reviews).
Just For One Day is written by John O’Farrell (Mrs. Doubtfire, Something Rotten!) and directed by Luke Sheppard (Paddington The Musical, & Juliet, Starlight Express).
The creative team also includes Musical Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestration by Matthew Brind, Choreography by Ebony Molina, Set by Soutra Gilmour, Costume by Fay Fullerton, Lighting by Howard Hudson, Sound by Gareth Owen, Video & Projection by Andrzej Goulding and Casting by Stuart Burt CDG.
Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is now playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre, booking until 10 January 2026.
Book tickets to Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London
Related News
Paddington The Musical is heading Down Under: Olivier Award-winning musical will open in Sydney in 2027
Spotlight on Jonathan Larson: the composer’s life and legacy beyond RENT
RENT reviews: critics praise a standout ensemble as Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo makes his West End debut
RENT extends its West End run to May 2027 along with first look new production images
Latest News
Everything you need to know about The Traitors: Acts of Betrayal in London
Nina Raine’s sweeping new adaptation of Middlemarch arrives at the RSC: See brand-new images from the production
What to expect from Pride the Musical ahead of highly anticipated transfer to the Bridge Theatre
