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Quest's backstage blog from PhiladelphiaBy Richard Quest SPECIAL REPORTQUICKVOTEYOUR E-MAIL ALERTSPHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- CNN correspondent Richard Quest offers a behind-the-scenes look at Live 8 in Philadelphia. 8:45 a.m. -- I have made it backstage. The concert is still three hours away, but I have now seen and stood on the stage here. Around the back its a hive of activity. The final sound checks are being made, the finishing touches to the set which emblazons the names of the eight cities around the world where they are being held. The number of people involved is immense. The roadies, techies and hangers-on. It's a vast operation to not only put on the concert but distribute it around the world. And still the crowds come. In front, tens of thousands are now picnicking and making themselves comfortable. It's a hot day. The temp will hit 85 degrees. 9:45 a.m. -- I have just spoken to Russell Simmons, the creator of Def Jam Recordings. Worth hundreds of millions of dollars, he was brought in by Bono to drum up the hip-hop artists for Live 8 Philly. Russell just told me that having hip-hop on board was essential because of its huge influence in American culture. He added that the eight men at the G8 next Wednesday would do what the people wanted, and pointing to the crowd behind, commented that the message was clear: Deal with world poverty. Russell is involved in numerous charities primarily concerned with urban poverty. Without doubt, his involvement today brought along Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and probably Beyonce with Destiny's Child. The scene: The final sound checks are being made. Backstage I am starting to wish I had brought those ear plugs. Plenty of water. The day is getting started. I will tell you more soon ... 3:45 p.m. -- So ... hours have passed since we last spoke. I have been backstage chitchatting with the stars. Sort of. Destiny's Child, who are making their final tour, said this was an incredible day. Beyonce told me that she felt it incredibly important that they used their celebrity to good; otherwise, it was not worth it Kanye West, the hip-hop singer, also said he was involved because of the cause, saying that he was not political, but that this was a social action and essential to stop people dying. I have now moved to the front of the stage where I am watching the concert. Frankly, it's amazing to see and appreciate a million people stretching out as far as the eye can see. We are now watching the London concert on giant screens, as the bands change sets. Oh, and letting my ears recover from a very noisy set by Dave Matthews Band. 5:17 p.m. -- And so the Philly day draws towards a close With the temperature now well in the 80s and the police saying more than a million people are in downtown Philly watching the concert, Live 8 USA is into its last couple of hours. Maroon 5 is playing at the moment. They are a great deal quieter than Linkin Park, who performed last hour and who forced me to resort to the emergency ear plugs (taken from the plane when I flew over here.) The crowd, though, have loved them all. Sometimes singing along, often just swaying or sitting in the sun. I must say that although the artists have made some speeches and several poets and African writers have spoken, the "poverty is history message" -- at least to the audience -- has not been as strong as in, say, London. Perhaps that's because London has Geldoff and Bono, and the UK is hosting the G8, so it is more focused. But to the revelers in Philly, this seems to be more of a concert than a rally. Now we are all waiting for Stevie Wonder, who closes out the evening. 
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