Expert Review: Celebrating Music That Changed The World

4.4
★★★★★

Expert Rating

The Verdict

Just For One Day captures the energy, emotion, and historical significance of Live Aid while telling the human stories behind the music. This jukebox musical celebrates the power of music to unite people and create change, featuring beloved songs from the greatest concert in rock history. The production successfully balances entertainment with the meaningful message that inspired the original event - that music can move mountains and change the world.

What Makes It Special

  • Historic Significance: Celebrates the legendary Live Aid concert that raised millions for famine relief and featured the biggest names in music.
  • Iconic Songs: Features beloved hits from Queen, David Bowie, U2, Elton John, and other superstars who performed at Wembley and Philadelphia.
  • Human Stories: Goes beyond the music to explore the personal journeys and motivations that brought the concert to life.
  • Feel-Good Factor: Combines nostalgia for the 1980s with an uplifting message about the power of collective action and compassion.

Perfect For

Fans of 1980s music, anyone who remembers Live Aid, musical theatre enthusiasts seeking uplifting stories, families with older children (12+), and audiences who appreciate shows with historical significance and positive messages about making a difference.

Everything You Need to Know

The Story Behind Live Aid

Just For One Day tells the story of how Live Aid came to be - from Bob Geldof's shock at seeing news footage of famine in Ethiopia, through the creation of Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", to the organization of the most ambitious charity concert ever attempted. The musical explores the personal and professional challenges faced by organizers, performers, and everyone involved in making this historic event happen.

What to Expect

  • The backstory of how Live Aid was conceived and organized
  • Personal stories of the artists who participated
  • The technical and logistical challenges of staging a global concert
  • Recreation of iconic Live Aid performances
  • The impact and legacy of the world's greatest charity concert

Historical Context

Live Aid took place on July 13, 1985, simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. The concert was watched by an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion people across 150 nations and raised over £150 million for famine relief in Africa.

Themes

  • The power of music to inspire and unite
  • Individual action creating global change
  • Celebrity responsibility and activism
  • Overcoming logistical impossibilities through determination
  • The 1980s cultural and musical landscape

Iconic Songs & Performances

Just For One Day features many of the beloved songs that made Live Aid legendary, recreating the magic of performances that defined a generation and demonstrated music's power to create change.

Featured Artists & Songs

  • Queen: "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Radio Ga Ga," "Hammer to Fall," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "We Will Rock You," "We Are the Champions"
  • David Bowie: "TVC 15," "Rebel Rebel," "Modern Love," "Heroes"
  • U2: "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "Bad," "Pride (In the Name of Love)"
  • Elton John: "I'm Still Standing," "Rocket Man," "Crocodile Rock"
  • The Who: "My Generation," "Pinball Wizard," "Won't Get Fooled Again"
  • Band Aid: "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
  • Paul McCartney: "Let It Be"
  • Phil Collins: "In the Air Tonight," "Against All Odds"

Musical Highlights

  • Recreation of Queen's legendary 20-minute set, often called the greatest live rock performance ever
  • Phil Collins' transatlantic journey (he performed at both Wembley and Philadelphia)
  • The emotional finale bringing together all the performers
  • Behind-the-scenes moments between the big performances

Note: While the musical features many Live Aid songs, the exact track listing may vary from the original concert setlists for theatrical storytelling purposes.

Practical Information

Show Times

  • Schedule: Check current performance calendar
  • Matinees: Wednesday and Saturday afternoons
  • Running Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including interval

Getting to Shaftesbury Theatre

  • Tube: Tottenham Court Road (3 minutes walk)
  • Alternative Stations: Leicester Square, Covent Garden
  • Bus: Multiple routes to Tottenham Court Road and Shaftesbury Avenue
  • Parking: Limited - public transport strongly recommended

Theatre Information

  • Capacity: 1,400 seats across three levels
  • Opened: 1911 - historic West End venue
  • Recent Shows: Previous home to "Hairspray" and "& Juliet"
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with advance booking
  • Facilities: Bars on all levels, merchandise available

Audience Information

  • Recommended for ages 12+ due to historical themes and concert intensity
  • Perfect for fans of 1980s music and classic rock
  • Great for those who remember Live Aid or want to learn about this historic event
  • Expect a high-energy, feel-good theatrical experience