It's official: Sir Bob Geldof's ambitious 'Live 8' event will be touching down in Canada on July 2.

Geldof made the announcement in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday, confirming that Toronto will play host to one the eight concerts he's planning for that day.

An all-star lineup has been promised for the free show, but CTV News has learned the Rolling Stones won't be part of it.

The band is rehearsing for its upcoming world tour in the Ontario capital, but the band told CTV News that a scheduling conflict means they won't be able to play the gig that day.

Organizers are negotiating with a host of big-name talent, however, including such headline acts as The Tragically Hip, Our Lady Peace, Blue Rodeo and the Barenaked Ladies.

Jann Arden, Billy Talent and Bruce Cockburn are also said to be in consideration. And talks are even reportedly underway with rocker Bryan Adam and Celine Dion.

Although attracting the likes of the Quebec crooner from her exclusive run in Las Vegas may seem far-fetched, the involvement of promotions magnate Michael Cohl has given music lovers hope.

A major player behind the successful 2003 SARS benefit concert in Toronto, Cohl is leading the organizing efforts for this show alongside former Sony Music Canada president Denise Donlon and others.

Officials at both Toronto's Downsview Park and Barrie's Molson Park Place told CTV concert organizers made initial contact several days ago, but have not yet followed up.

Live 8 Worldwide

Geldof, who hopes to host an awareness-raising, anti-poverty concert in each of the G-8 countries on July 2nd, said Thursday performances will also soon be confirmed for Tokyo and Johannesburg.

Geldof said he hopes the concert in Johannesburg will be opened by former South African president Nelson Mandela, if his health permits.

Concerts have already been confirmed in London, Berlin, Philadelphia, Paris and Rome. Another concert has also been scheduled for Scotland on July 6, as leaders of the G-8 meet in nearby Gleneagles.

Asked about rumours that Michael Jackson might be taking part in the concerts, Geldof said organizers had not approached the singer nor had Jackson asked them.

Geldof, who organized Live Aid concerts for African famine relief in 1985, dreamed up the Live 8 events as a way to again raise awareness about poverty in the world.

The concerts are meant to spur leaders of the G-8 group of wealthy nations to increase aid to impoverished nations. The leaders are meeting in Scotland from July 6 to 8.

"Three weeks ago Europe agreed, unbelievably, to double aid, throwing the ball back to the Yanks, the Japanese and the Canadians,'' Geldof said in a speech Thursday at an event marking the 150th anniversary of University College Dublin.

Prime Minister Paul Martin says Canada is proud of its record in helping Africa.

He cited the debt forgiveness he began to heavily indebted Third World countries when he was finance minister. And Martin says Canada is increasing its foreign aid by eight per cent a year, with the bulk of it going to Africa.

As well, he says Canada is helping out in Darfur and is a leader in the fight against AIDS in Africa.

World Vision Canada's Sharon Marshall says there are going to be lots of ways for Canadians "to be engaged in the purposes behind this concert.''

"This concert is designed to put pressure globally on the G-8 leaders to make major changes in the way we're tackling poverty as a world.''

Meanwhile, Live 8 organizers have announced plans for a separate concert featuring African artists, after being criticized for a lack of African artists at the main London event.

The Africa Calling concert will be held in Cornwall, southwest England, the same day as the other concerts.

Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour will host the concert, which will feature performances by Maryam Mursal, Salif Keita and Thomas Mapfumo.

With reports from CTV News Toronto