The Music Aid Event will take place in 2012. Concerts in major cities will be accompanied by smaller local concerts and other activities organized by local musicians and promoters in towns throughout the world. International TV coverage will be coordinated by musicaid.tv and there will be interactive international internet coverage. It is expected that the concerts together with the thousands of local events and the interactive musical internet activities will make this the biggest international musical production ever staged. In keeping with Music Aid's principles new talent will feature equally alongside established artists and professionals. The events will provide a unique opportunity for new and undiscovered bands, performers, producers, promoters, artists, songwriters, journalists, film makers, publicists etc to get involved and launch careers in the music business. The aims of this event are to provide a good time for all, to make this the biggest interactive world music event ever staged, to focus awareness on global problems and their solutions with an emphasis on the current climate crisis, to raise funding for good causes and to provide genuine opportunities for new talent.

The main events are set for 2012 for a number of reasons. The first reason is that this year marks the start of the most important and world changing phase of climate control as set by the Kyoto Protocol. This year will be the turning point for the future of our planet as the Kyoto Protocol prepares to enter its second commitment phase. Another reason for choosing this year is that this provides the necessary long run-up and planning period that will be essential to successfully organize all aspects of this enormous and unique production. There will be many opportunities for people to organise their own Music Aid events in their local areas. The actions of the world as we enter the third Kyoto commitment period will determine our future. Music Aid will play an important role at this historic moment and it will channel and focus the power of the world's musicians, fans and the music industry to add pressure to business and governments to do the right thing. Everyone is invited to take part.

The Music Aid Organization has been an important non profit music presence since 1998 working with some of the biggest names in music. During this time it has provided resources and educational opportunities to musicians worldwide; provided schooling and higher educational opportunities to children in poor areas of Asia and Latin America; helped and supported thousands of people wishing to enter the music industry; launched the annual International Music Awards; distributed free musical instruments with the BBC; promoted and supported music benefit events and CDs and helped fund aid projects on three continents.

Music Aid was launched ten years ago in 1998  at the "Art of Music Festival” – an event attended by over 100,000 people that took over an entire floor of the Whitley's complex in central London, England with seven days of art exhibits, live music and dance. The festival was supported by many well known names from the worlds of music, art and film including Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, TV personality and artist Rolf Harris and Sliding Doors film director and actor Peter Howitt. This event holds the record for the largest exhibition of music related art ever staged and included works by Andy Warhol, John Lennon, Peter Max and others as well as artifacts, signed guitars and album covers from many famous names including Sir Paul McCartney, John Lee Hooker, Oasis and Bono. The funds raised at this event were used to provide schooling for hundreds of poor village children in SE Asia and also provided funding to launch the World Music Foundation which operated for eight years as a registered international charity working with the United Nations UNV online volunteer project in the areas of poverty relief and music education before going independent in 2006.

Since 1998 Music Aid has worked on many projects with partners including the World Music Foundation, the BBC, the United Nations UNV program, the BRIT Trust and others. In 2006 Music Aid launched its annual International Music Awards with the aim of helping and promoting new talent. The organization is now committed to focusing attention on the climate crisis through the Music Aid Project and the 2012 event.

 

THE TIMETABLE

2008 - During this year the project is focused on enrolling members, supporters and partners in all continents. The community network for particpants and organisers will be set up towards the end of the year. The Music Aid Toolbar is being launched and promoted this year as a way of uniting supporters throughout the world.

2009 - This year will see the start of many interactive campaigns and music education initiatives. Sponsorship arrangements  and partnerships will be investigated and established. The Music Aid communty will be strengthened and enlarged.

2010 - New talent will be actively enrolled to participate in the run up to the main event. Auditions, contests and other activities will take place during this year and next year to choose the new acts and promoters that will take part in 2012.

2011 - Detailed planning for the main event will take place and the major sponsorship arrangements will be finalised. Media deals will be put in place. Promoters and will be contracted for the main concerts.

2012 - The year of the main event. Major concerts in each continent with smaller events in local towns and villages. Interactive internet activities and mass involvement from local musicians, fans, music businesses and others.