Harry Styles, Sting, Bono… Charity group, Band Aid, reforms for the children of Ethiopia

For the 40th anniversary of Do they know it’s Christmasthe group created by Bob Geldof in 1984 to raise funds for the children of Ethiopia, is reforming for a new version of the song.

Band Aid is back for Christmas. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his hit Do they know it’s Christmasthis super-group made up of many singing stars, brought together by Bob Geldof since 1984 to raise funds for the benefit of the children of Ethiopia, hit by a terrible famine, is reforming with new voices.

Every decade since 2004, the project has been relaunched, with the great British and Irish groups of the time and this year Sting, Ed SheeranBoy George, Sugababes, Sam Smith, Bono et Chris Martin will sing with Harry Styles, Rita Ora, Seal, Robbie Williams, Kool and the Gang.

The song also uses the vocals, from previous recordings, of George Michael, who died in 2016, and of Sinéad O'Connordisappeared in 2023. Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Roger Taylor (Queen), Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Damon Albarn (Blur), play the instrumental part of the song.

“It’s very moving because there are three generations of British stars,” explains Bob Geldof, the singer and composer behind the project, speaking to BFMTV.

“You have a young Sting singing alongside a young Ed Sheeran, a young Boy George with a young Harry Styles, young Bono with an older Bono, it's crazy. (…) When people sing it listen, they are very moved (…) I think it’s the best version of all,” he continues.

Singer Ed Sheeran, however, distanced himself from the initiative, ensuring, in an Instagram story a few days ago that he had not been asked for his agreement for this new version. “If I had the choice, I would have respectfully declined the use of my voice,” he explained.

The project was accused of being “clumsy and condescending”, insulting to Ethiopians and to Africa, presented in a caricatured manner. Ed Sheeran now regrets having participated. “A decade later, my understanding of the story associated with this song has changed,” he said.

“This little pop song started something”

Bob Geldof launched the Band Aid project in 1984 in response to the terrible images of the famine in Ethiopia. At the time, George Michael (Wham!), Boy George (Culture Club), Paul Young, Sting (The Police), Banarama, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Bono (U2) and Phil Collins (Genesis) responded to the 'call.

In 2014, Ed Sheeran, One DirectionRita Ora, Sam Smith, Chris Martin, Seal, Ellie Goulding and Sinéad O'Connor joined Bono, one of the rare veterans of Band Aid from 1984, for a new version of the song.

Bob Geldof then explained that he had changed the lyrics to reflect the ills of the time, such as the epidemic caused by the Ebola virus.

In four decades, Band Aid has raised, between singles and concerts, 140 million pounds, or approximately 168 million euros. “This little pop song initiated something that would change political and social structures,” rejoices Bob Geldof.

“While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate harmful stereotypes,” notes Ghanaian and British musician Fuse ODG.

The success of Do they know it’s Christmas had also given the idea to American singer and actor Harry Belafonte to launch a similar project in the United States, giving birth to the title We are the worldwritten by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones.