Concert fails, optimism soars

The "Flopenhagen" concert Monday - low on audience, high on attention

By Isabelle Tolhurst (text) and Anneke van de Vusse (photo)

Despite depleted ticket sales and African singer Akon cancelling at the last minute, the Dance for Climate Change concert held at Denmark’s football stadium Parken was not without its successes, says its supporters.

The concert was organized privately, but was supported and presented by the United Nation’s Environment Program (UNEP) campaign, Seal the Deal.

‘It’s sad in many ways. Promoters put in a lot of effort and I made a few remarks at the beginning while handing over twelve and a half million pledges to the band Europe that will be presented to high level delegates,’ said the spokesman for United Nation’s Environment Program (UNEP) Nick Nuttall

‘I’m not the most rock savvy person in the world but there was Shaggy , Angelique Kidjo and of course Swedish band Europe has quite a strong following for people old and young…Also we estimated that a billion people were watching via TV world wide, and even if its only a fraction of that it’s still reaching out,’ he continued.

And despite an immediate sense of failure, the concert’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/DanceForClimateChange?ref=search&sid=590730585.3457882072..1) boasts a multitude of positive commentary and intimate images, a tale of the concerts ascendency.

‘I’m sure organizers were disappointed but in the end it was a truly noble attempt,’ Nuttall concluded.

As for Seal the Deal, their campaign is also drawing to a close, confirmed Nuttall.

‘The baton is being handed over…it’s now time for the world leaders. The best outcome of the talks would reflect the scientific reality of the time were living in. I’m an optimistic realist.’