U2’s Bono looks to influence upcoming G8 Summit with musical project 'agit8'

U2’s Irish frontman Bono has brought together some of music’s biggest names to join in his agit8 project, which is looking to influence leaders at next week’s G8 Summit in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland through music.

agit8, which is working under Bono’s massive charity organization One, is using the power of historically famous protest songs to help influence decision-makers at the upcoming G8 Summit in Northern Ireland.

Specifically, agit8 wants to help fight poverty in Africa. The musical choices, however, reflect a number of different causes including women’s rights, civil war, and anti-apartheid among others.

Musicians such as Ed Sheeran, Mumford & Sons, Macklemore and more have become involved with the project. 

Some original songs are included in agit8, such as The Beatles’ song ‘Revolution’ and Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA.’ However, other artists have covered famous songs, such as Ed Sheeran’s cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Masters of War,’ and Elvis Costello’s collaboration with Mumford & Sons to cover Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Ghost of Tom Joad.’

The G8 Summit is set to be held in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland from June 17-18. Leaders from the US, the UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, Russia and France, as well as representatives from the European Council and the European Commission are projected to attend.