Hit West End musical Just For One Day has celebrated the 40th anniversary of Live Aid with a special gala performance at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London.
Today, 13 July 2025, marks the 40th anniversary since the extraordinary music concerts were held in London and Philadelphia in 1985.
Live Aid was organised by rock stars Bob Geldof and Midge Ure and concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith to raise money for the Ethiopian famine crisis. The concerts proved to be an unprecedented global music event that brought 1.5 billion people together, and changed live music forever.
Live Aid raised more than £114m for famine relief, and the show is partnering with the Band Aid Charitable Trust and donating 10% of all profits to the charity.
The exhilarating new musical tells the story of Live Aid, and captures the excitement and history of that incredible day, featuring songs by Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, Madonna, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross and more of the iconic artists who made history at the simultaneous charitable concerts in London and Philadelphia.
Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is now playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, booking to 10 January 2026.
Just For One Day – Live Aid Gala Performance
Other celebrations for Live Aid today included Greatest Hits Radio playing a 10 hour special playlist hosted by Simon Mayo, featuring all of the original live performances from the Wembley Stadium concert in order, and with the West End cast of Just For One Day commentating and talking about their show.
The BBC has also been airing documentary “Live Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World” – watch now on BBC iPlayer.
You can also watch highlights from the Live Aid concerts on BBC and BBC iPlayer now.
The talented cast of Just For One Day is led by Craige Els (Doctor Who, Matilda The Musical) as Bob Geldof, with Tim Mahendran as Harvey Goldsmith; Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Amara; Julie Atherton as Margaret Thatcher; Ashley Samuels as Jim; Jake Small as John Kennedy; Tamara Tare as Alicia; Jason Battersby as David; Kelly Agbowu as Marsha; Jordan Cambridge-Taylor as Stevie; Eloise Davies as Maria; James Hameed as Khalil; Fayth Ifil as Jemma; Melissa Jacques as Suzanne; Hope Kenna as Young Suzanne; AJ Lewis as Kai; Freddie Love as Skye; Jack Michael Stacey as Tim; Emily Ooi as Ellie; and George Ure as Midge Ure.
Off-stage swings are Kerry Enright (Bella); Evan Fox Harrison (Archie); Esme Laudat (Seraphina); Jaye Marshall (Rhianne / Dance Captain); Sadie-Jean Shirley (Willow / Assistant Dance Captain); Lukin Simmonds (Vill); and Dyd Wynford (Malcolm). Eddie Mann is Bob Walking Understudy;
The musical originally premiered last year at The Old Vic Theatre in London, playing to a record-breaking 99% full houses across the run. Read a round-up of reviews from The Old Vic and the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Just For One Day is written by John O’Farrell (Mrs. Doubtfire, Something Rotten!) and directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet, Starlight Express).
The creative team also includes Musical Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestration by Matthew Brind, Choreography by Ebony Molina, Set by Soutra Gilmour, Costume by Fay Fullerton, Lighting by Howard Hudson, Sound by Gareth Owen, Video & Projection by Andrzej Goulding and Casting by Stuart Burt CDG.
Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is produced by Jamie Wilson Productions, Kevin McCollum, Sonia Friedman Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Kenny Wax Ltd, The Ambassador Theatre Group, Mirvish Productions, Nederlander Theatres, No Guarantees, Burnt Umber Productions, Stephen C Byrd, Willette & Manny Klausner and The Old Vic by permission of The Band Aid Charitable Trust.
Book tickets to Just For One Day
Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is now playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre, booking to 10 January 2026.
Book tickets to Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London
Just For One Day
Shaftesbury Theatre, London
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📷 Main photo: Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical. The cast with Bob Geldof and stars who performed at Live Aid 40 years ago. Photo Craig Sugden
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