Band Aid 30

Band Aid was a charity supergroup featuring mainly British and Irish musicians and recording artists.

It was founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for anti-poverty efforts in Ethiopia by releasing the song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" for Christmas that year.

Band Aid 30 is the 2014 incarnation of the charity group Band Aid. The group was announced on 10 November 2014 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.  

As in previous incarnations in 1984 and 2004, the group covered the track "Do They Know It's Christmas?", this time to raise money towards the Ebloa crisis. The track has re-tweaked lyrics to reflect the current Ebloa virus epidemic in Western Africa with all proceeds going towards battling the virus. 

Instead of the line "Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears", the new version has the line "Where a kiss of love can kill you and there's death in every tear".

Bono's famous line "Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you" has been changed to "Well tonight we're reaching out and touching you".

Bob Geldof describes the epidemic as a "particularly pernicious illness because it renders humans untouchable and that is sickening".

The song was recorded by some of the biggest-selling British pop acts, including One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Sam Smith, Chris Martin, U2's Bono and  Ellie Goulding. As well as Queen drummer Roger Taylor.  Bands such Bastille, Elbow Clean Bandit and Foals also took part. 

Ed Sheeran flew in from his tour in Germany, while Bastille cancelled two US arena gigs to be involved showing their belief and support to the charity raising money to fight this deadly virus. 

Band Aid 30's Do They Know It's Christmas? has become the fastest selling single of 2014. It's already sold 206,000 copies so far and still rising. 

Unfortunately, despite Bob Geldof's huge organisation of this charitable song, I believe he has cast a huge shadow by chastising Adelè for not physically taking part. Adelè has made it known that she is taking time out of the music industry to focus on raising her son.  According to media sources, she privately donated to the charity Oxfam instead without fuss or attention. Personally, I think it's her decision whether or not she wanted to participate and Bob Geldof should remain professional, respect her choice and make it about the song and charity, rather than who didn't appear.  

If you wish to contribute to fighting against this deadly virus please buy the Band Aid 30 'Do They Know It's Christmas'!