Heal The World.

Thirty years later, and Geldof has marshalled a bunch of musicians into a studio to re-record 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

This time to raise money for the ebola cause.

Some new faces, some old faces and some unusual ones.

Angelique Kidjo, Bastille, Bono (of U2), Clean Bandit, Disclosure, Marcus Mumford (of Mumford and Sons), Elbow, Paloma Faith, Fuse ODG, Ellie Goulding, Chris Martin, Olly Murs, Seal, Sinead O'Connor, Rita Ora, Robert Plant, One Direction, Emeli Sande, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Underworld, Jessie Ware, Zoe Sugg, Alfie Deyes, Nick Grimshaw, Joe Sugg.

I've read that the UK government has made it tax exempt so more profits will get to Africa.

Available either on download, or soon on CD (with remixes I believe, including one by Underworld).

Even if this song isn't your thing, consider supporting this cause. (and share this post.)

* Photograph: Band Aid Trust/Brian Aris/Camera Press

Back Again.

I've been overseas for the past few weeks.  Four days in Paris, and the rest in the UK.  I went over for a wedding in Sheffield, but spent most of my time in Lincolnshire. And one day in London.

I was fortunate enough to get tickets for Frankenstein at the National Theatre, written by Nick Dear,  directed by Danny Boyle, scored by Underworld, and starring Johnny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch. Amazing!

In Lincoln I saw Feast of Fiddles, with the incredible Dave Mattacks on drums (I should have brought my Nonsuch CD for him to sign), Peter Knight from Steeleye Span, Chris Leslie from Fairport Convention, and a bunch of others that were incredibly talented, if unknown to me.

Paris? Well, that simply fulfilled a dream of mine - and I was able to eat my way through the entire four days.  Oh yeah, I can also recommend a great indie bookstore called I Love My Blender.

But the highlight of the trip? The wedding party up in Sheffield.  What fun that was, and everyone just had a wonderful time.

But now it's back to work.  Sigh.

It's My Birthday And I'll Dance If I Want To...

I went to La Mama in Carlton on the weekend.  What a fabulous venue it is.  I used to go there a whole lot more often, back when I was studying literature, drama and theatre at university. But time steals by and years pass without making the effort to visit this icon of Melbourne theatre.

It was my birthday on the weekend and my wife and I spent the time in the city. We started in Brunswick Street where we browsed and I bought a few books and CDs before checking into our hotel. A bit of time spent around the shops in the CBD before heading out to Lygon Street. A few more bookshops, a couple more purchases and into a Spanish Restaurant where the food was average, the lights were dark, but the beer was great. And then to La Mama, where my wife had booked us tickets. Something Natural but Very Childish combined my love of the theatre with my love of Katherine Mansfield. Reading the program, it seems the director, Gary Abrahams, and I seem to have a great deal in common - except he's a very talented and creative director and I'm not. The cast was stunning, the set was minimal, and the atmosphere was - well, La Mama. The show is strongly recommended.

On Sunday we slept in, had a look around the State Library and the fantastic exhibitions there before a late lunch at a restaurant on Southbank. Off to Nova for a foreign film (The Secret in their Eyes - recommended) before I met up with a friend at a pub in the city. My wife decided to pull the pin at this point. Late night noodles and a pint or two (lager, lager, lager) and my friend and I hit the Rod Laver Arena to see Underworld live. And what a great show! (Check out the new track, Scribble - it's fantastic)

My friend 'rave' danced, I sort of self-consciously moved around a bit, and we both sang along and clapped a lot.

All in all a wonderful weekend and a great birthday.