In about three weeks, the original Band Aid single — 1984's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" — will begin its annual assault on your eardrums. Maybe it's a bad time to break it to you that Bob Geldof and his merry band of musicians are reuniting for their 30th anniversary?
Of course, it's all for the sake of a good cause. While the first Band Aid effort sought to raise awareness of poverty in Ethiopia via Boy George's festive cooing — generating some £8 million in the process — Band Aid 30 has set its sights on another African issue: Ebola.
Geldof and Band Aid co-organizer Midge Ure have recruited a new all-star lineup for this year's song, which will premiere during Sunday night's episode of X-Factor in the U.K. One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora, Paloma Faith, Disclosure, Jessie Ware, Emeli Sandé, Seal, Clean Bandit, Sinead O'Connor, Elbow's Guy Garvey, and Sam Smith all convened at Notting Hill's Sarm Studios for today's recording session. Bonus: The studio is the same one featured in the original video.
Speaking of originals, OG Band Aider Bono was also invited to join in on the new single. His line has been updated to "Well, tonight we’re reaching out and touching you." In the meantime, we've got our eyes peeled for Paul Young and Bananarama. Please please please? (Guardian)
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