News Digest

Happy Pharrell Williams to head up ‘Live Earth’ global climate concert

Singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, responsible for the planet-wide hit “Happy”, will be the musical director of this year’s “Live Earth” concert on June 18. More than 100 artists will take part in the event, which aims to galvanise demands for climate action. Former US vice president Al Gore has predicted a TV, radio and online audience of two billion for the extravaganza. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Mr Gore said he wanted to concert to ramp up pressure on governments over a UN climate pact, due to be concluded in Paris in December.

This is the year of climate. The Paris negotiation is crucial. If we’re to ensure success, we need the political will.

US producer Kevin Wall

The event logistics will be organised by US producer Kevin Wall, who also took charge of the 2007 Live Earth concert to boost climate awareness. Wall said the June 18 event would comprise concerts “in major stadiums”, starting in China and moving to Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, New York City and Paris. A band will also play from Antarctica to account for the seventh continent. Pharell Williams would not divulge details on the lineup, but promised “there are some interesting surprises coming up.”