Ira Losco meets Geldof

Local singer Ira Losco met legendary pop singer Bob Geldof during a recent trip to London.

Sir Bob and his agent expressed their eagerness and interest to meet Ms Losco again, and watch her play live at the charity concert organised by YMCA next Wednesday.

The legendary singer will be headlining the festival at Manoel Island.

Sir Bob - who is synonymous with two of the biggest charity concerts ever held, Live Aid and Live 8, decided to do something about the problems in Africa after watching a moving BBC documentary about the devastation of drought-ridden Ethiopia and East Africa. Together with his band The Boomtown Rats, he had just recorded his second number one, million-selling single I Don't Like Mondays.

Ms Losco has also done her share of work for charitable organisations and her contribution earned her a nomination for this year's Women of The Year Awards, to be held on July 28.

"I feel it is my duty to contribute to charitable organisations. The voluntary workers live with the suffering and sorrows related to their patients and cases every single day of their lives. The least I can do is visit and sing some songs, or try to give my support in other ways. It's something small, but it fills me with happiness to see the smiles and the hope it instils in certain people," she said.

Ms Losco recently released her fifth single off her top-selling album Accident Prone. The single, also called Accident Prone, has been steadily climbing the local charts.

She described this song as the "most alternative single" she has released so far, adding that it is a powerful song which she loves performing live since it transmits a lot of energy.

Tickets 'selling fast'

Tickets are selling fast for Wednesday's Live YMCA Music Festival featuring musician Bob Geldof, the organisers said.

Bob Geldof will be supported by tribute bands to U2, Queen and Coldplay as well as local bands Winter Moods, Ira Losco and Carrie and Band.

The concert, at Fort Manoel on Manoel Island, is being sponsored by Vodafone Malta and HSBC Cares for Children Fund. It will raise funds for the YMCA Valletta.

Tickets at Lm10 are available from Vodafone's retail outlets while a very limited number of tickets that include an open bar for the Camilleri Wines VIP are also available at Lm50 each.

On the night, doors will open at 5 p.m.