Live 8's late late show

Kiwis won't miss out on the world's biggest pop concert next week - as long as you don't mind staying up for the privilege.

TV2 will carry a live broadcast of Live8, Bob Geldof and Bono's international music event next Sunday from 2am until 12pm.

Performing from various venues around the world will be U2, Coldplay, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Will Smith, Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Maroon 5, Andrea Bocelli, Duran Duran, P Diddy, Stereophonics and more. 50 Cent pulled out of the Philadelphia concert due to scheduling conflicts but Destiny's Child and Linkin Park signed on.

The aim is to raise awareness about global poverty and to pressure the Group of Eight leaders meeting in Scotland on July 6-8.

Twenty years after his original Live Aid shows, Geldof co-ordinated five main concerts - four in Europe and one in Philadelphia - but last week added gigs in Tokyo, Toronto and Johannesburg. Geldof said he hoped Nelson Mandela would be well enough to "bring it to the world".

Live 8 will be televised live from London's Hyde Park, the Circus Maximus in Rome, beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Pottsdamer Platz in Berlin and from the steps of the Museum of Art in Philadelphia. More than a billion people around the world are expected to see the event.