Irish Rock Musician and Live 8/Aid pioneer Bob Geldof might be able to mobilise and motivate people around the globe for good causes. But appreciation of his capacity as a songwriter might be slightly smaller. Geldof is being branded by the Italian newspapers as Il Flop after only 45 people turned up to his performance last Friday at Milan's Civic centre; a venue with a capacity of 12,000.

Geldof apparently refused to go on stage, and after meetings with the Italian promoters pulled the tour due to poor ticket sales.