People like Geldof will always draw flak from those (to quote Python) "with a vested interest in the status quo".

The truth is you need to be a gobshite to get attention in todays media, and Geldof has always done a lot more harm than good. Live Aid was a pivotal point in the thinking of the population here in the UK. It's taken a few years to sink in, but ordinary people now believe they can make a difference (even if the anti-war protests were ignored by Blair - he may just have learned his lesson), hence the excitement over these concerts.

Bono et al may not be the most articulate spokespeople for the cause but at least they are listened to and have been able to bend the ear of world leaders, and that cannot be bad.