Can Popular Music produce a genuine force for political change?

Popular music can be used as a vehicle to express identity and music genres may be seen as something that divides people into subcultures sharing a same social meaning. Music is an excellent source of information; songs are listened to over and over again where as print text is seldom read more than once. For years, artists have raised opinions and highlighted socio-economic issues with provocative lyrics. Singers and bands may be seen as icons or even leaders of political movements. It is undeniable that a public figure has more power to address issues than an ordinary person. Live Aid may not have cleared Third World debt but it definitely succeeded in promoting awareness and inspiration. By getting 'stars' involved, an audience is guaranteed. The whole music business is a capitalist system so charity events such as Live Aid can be seen as self serving. So far, there is no evidence of long term impact but the power that a pop act can have on politics should not be underestimated.