Practically Political In Every Way (2/4) By Jo Allison

(1/4), (2/4), (3/4), (3/4).

Yet this is till only 31.1%. Feminism and equal rights for women have come too far to be pipped at the post by male politicians. Surely the recent events of terrorism, wars, and the dubious decisions made by two of the world's most influential leaders, would push us to act against them and vote. To be fair, many a protest was seen outside number 10 and rant or two could be heard at Speakers Corner- but no increase on the voting numbers. Have we got political fatigue? Are we bombarded with it from every cultural outlet that we have become numb to policies and power?

Cinema, TV, newspapers, magazines even an all-singing, all-dancing musical dramatise and exaggerate politics. Politics has long been associated with music, think back to the punk movement in the 1970's, which, thirty years on, has been rejuvenated and re-injected into our modern culture, bringing with it the rebellious and anti-establishment ideals evident within fashion, culture and music.

Or think slightly more recently within the music industry, and not just with bands giving us their political opinions, such as the likes of Manic Street Preachers urging us not to tolerate this, or Greenday singing about American Idiots, but artists actually getting involved in political action, or even basing an entire tour around their beliefs. Madonna can be viewed as the perfect celebrity political pillock.

Madonna's American Life, 2005 tour showed a massive screen with George Bush kissing Saddam Hussein, and behind Madge was a backdrop of sick and injured children. Slightly sickeningly OTT, and not particularly politically clever or profound either. The £150 ticket paid for a soundtrack of dropping bombs and military helicopters, perhaps better dance routines and flashing lights would have been more entertaining.

Her single American Life was recently voted ninth on a US magazine's list of worst-ever singles, a good indication that perhaps it's time the Queen of pop shed her musical crown, as well as her newly appointed political one. Its not only the cynics that think this either, her die hard fans weren't that impressed, "nobody cares about her political views, who is Madonna to be offering her political views - she's just an entertainer, its like the pope starting a rock band" You know what, Meda from California, I couldn't agree more.

However, Mr Geldof has shown us that music and politics can go hand in hand, with slightly more positive results. Live 8, the biggest amalgamation of music and politics ever, planned in 2005 to make poverty history once and for all. Live 8 asked the G8, (the leaders of the worlds most powerful countries - the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia), to double aid, fully cancel debt, and deliver trade justice.

The only way they would do so is if tens of thousands of people showed them that enough is enough. And what better way to bring people together than through music. So, on Saturday 2nd July, ten colossal concerts combined music and politics, in countries ranging from the UK, to America and Japan.

Continued...... Next Page (3/4)

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