You Can Stream the 1985 Live Aid Concert in Full on Its 40th Anniversary. Here’s How

July 13, 2025, marks the 40th anniversary of Live Aid. The iconic charity concert was the brainstorm of rock legends Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for famine relief in Africa.

Live Aid was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia on July 13, 1985. Forty years later, fans can stream the entire concert at internet radio station80sCentral.com or listen via Alexa, Roku, Live365,Audacy,or the 80s Central mobile app, Antimusic.com reported.

The Live Aid livestream will begin July 13 at 8 a.m. and will air commercial-free and in real time, just as it played out from both stadiums four decades ago.

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80s Central program director Christopher Shaw said in a statement, "For 80s fans, this is the Super Bowl, the Grammys, and New Year's Eve rolled into one. Live Aid wasn't just a concert-it was our Woodstock. And here at 80s Central, we're honored to bring this historic day back to life."

Madonna performs at the 14-hour Live Aid concert to end world hunger at Philadelphia's John F. Kennedy Stadium on July 13, 1985.

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Back in 1985, fans clamored to get tickets for Live Aid. Longtime 93.3 WMMR radio personality Pierre Robert explained how the Philadelphia classic rock station covered the event. “[Concert promoter] Bill Graham took one look at JFK Stadium and said, “What a f---ing dump,” he told Philadelphia magazine. “So they asked for help cleaning it up, and I volunteered for a few days before the concert. And by doing that, I got an all-access pass to the show. WMMR didn’t have the rights to the broadcast, so we were broadcasting outside in a Winnebago. It was the wildest f---ing thing.”

The list of performers in Philly included Black Sabbath, Run–D.M.C., Judas Priest, Bryan Adams, The Beach Boys, Pretenders, Madonna, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Cars, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Patti LaBelle, and Mick Jagger and Tina Turner.

Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, London, a major music event to raise money to ease the famine in Ethiopia. Freddie Mercury, lead singer with Queen, performs at Live Aid. Picture taken 13th July 1985 (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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In London, fans saw performances from The Who, Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Dire Straits, Paul McCartney, and more. Queen's 20-minute set is regarded as one of the best live concert performances of all time.

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In addition, Genesis frontman Phil Collins completed a major feat by performing in both London and Philadelphia on the same day, thanks to a quick trip on a Concorde.

“I'm very proud to be asked to do it,” Collins said in a backstage interview after his London performance. “I mean because everybody's involved and, you know it's just great to be part of something like this.”

Related: Iconic ‘80s Band Makes Surprise Announcement 3 Years After Farewell Tour

You Can Stream the 1985 Live Aid Concert in Full on Its 40th Anniversary. Here’s How first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 30, 2025