Wacko tribute concert won't do Jacko's legacy any favours

CARDIFF? THERE’S no rhyme or reason to why tomorrow’s big Michael Jackson tribute concert is being held in Wales. The singer had no connection with the area and, if anything, Ireland has a better claim to this, as Jackson at least lived here for a year or two before his death. But Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium it is (a truly horrible place), and that’s not the only curiosity concerning a concert that will be streamed live in cinemas worldwide.

For starters, there’s the line-up, which reads like an X Factor support group: Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and JLS are all doing turns. The initial idea behind the concert was to get a big Band Aid-style turn-out, but a lot of the bigger stars have, perhaps wisely, made themselves unavailable. So the only marquee names showing up tomorrow are Black Eyed Peas and Christina Aguilera.

Beyoncé was supposed to perform but she’s now decided to make her contribution via satellite hook-up. But don’t worry, they’ve added Pixie Lott instead.

Only half of the Jackson family will be in attendance. Mother Katherine and siblings LaToya, Tito, Marlon and Jackie are on board, but Janet Jackson and brothers Randy and Jermaine are boycotting the event, arguing that the staging of such a show while their late brother’s personal physician is on trial for the singer’s involuntary manslaughter just isn’t appropriate.

“There will come a time and place for an amazing and deserving tribute to Michael,” the hold-outs said in a statement. “But we feel that the most important tribute we can give to our brother at this time is to seek justice in his name.”

Also withdrawing their support are the official Michael Jackson Fan Club and the singer’s executors. Both parties also cite the “inappropriateness” of the event.

It’s all an unseemly mess – undignified even – and it’s all the more scandalous because a truly magnificent line-up of artists could have been arranged and a fitting tribute show highlighting Jackson’s extraordinary talent could really have been something.

With the family squabbling, fans unsure as to which side they should take, and a line-up that you really wouldn’t bother crossing the road to see, it’s a very big ask for hosts Jamie Foxx and Fearne Cotton (and her connection to Michael Jackson is what exactly?) to pull this off.

On a slightly more edifying note, a show which opened last week in the US and will be coming to Europe next year is, according to early reports, a very exciting affair that does justice to and enhances Jackson’s musical legacy.

The Cirque du Soleil people, who previously worked wonders with their Beatles show Love, are now touring their new Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour show. “A riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses audiences and literally turns Michael’s signature moves upside down . . . the show captures the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop,” screams the blurb. According to the reviews, this is one of those rare cases when even the official PR is a bit of an underestimation of the show’s theatrical potency.

If you really want to see tomorrow’s sorry affair, a whole load of Irish cinemas will be screening the show in 3D (michaelforevertribute.com). But the very idea of holding a tribute show for the late singer while gruesome details continue to emerge from a Los Angeles court is bizarre, even by the standards normally attributed to the Jackson family.

Best save your time and money for the Cirque du Soleil extravaganza. Check out the official preview on YouTube – it really looks something special.

Radiohead have made their King of Limbs remix album, catchily called TKOL RMX 1234567, available to stream – but only until October 10th. 

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