Told through a modern-day perspective, Just For One Day retells the events leading up to Live Aid, the 1985 benefit concert organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise awareness and funds for the famine in Ethiopia.

In 2021, Luke Sheppard and producer Jamie Wilson began creating the concept for a musical based around the real-life events leading up to Live Aid.

[3] Queen founding members Brian May and Roger Taylor initially declined permission, but quickly changed their mind after Geldof wrote them a letter and showed them footage of the actors performing the songs at a workshop.

[3] In the present-day, several people gather to reflect on their memories and experiences at Live Aid, including Suzanne, Marsha, Jim, and Amara, and how it made them feel like they could change the world ("Heroes").

Jemma, a young student studying Live Aid in her history class, challenges Bob and argues her generation needs to know what happened so they can learn from it to actually make a change in the world.

The group, led by John, performs Status Quo's opening number from Live Aid ("Rockin' All Over the World").

In 1984, Bob approaches Midge Ure with the idea of creating a charity record to fundraise to raise money for the famine ("Dancing with Tears in My Eyes").

At the studio, Bob and Midge are initially forced to record the song themselves, however the other musicians eventually arrive ("Do They Know It's Christmas?").

Tim is dismissive of their ability to make change, leaving Suzanne heartbroken and determined to sell as many copies of the record as she can by herself ("We Are the Champions").

Bob takes control by announcing Mick Jagger and David Bowie are recording a song together, and dismisses Harvey and John's concerns about who is paying for everything and being able to get all the famous musicians to actually participate.

Harvey complains about Bob's elaborate vision for Live Aid and his controlling nature, until John shocks everyone when he reveals Paul McCartney has agreed to participate ("Dancing in the Street").

Back in the present-day, Suzanne marvels at the impressive lineup on the Live Aid poster, while Jemma questions the lack of racial diversity.

Bob threatens to convince everyone to vote against her, which leads to Margaret agreeing to make a donation equal to the amount of the taxes received from the record sales.

Just For One Day received its world premiere at The Old Vic in London, and was directed by Luke Shepard, choreography by Ebony Molina, and set design by Soutra Gilmour.

[8] Just For One Day is an ensemble show with a large supporting cast, who play various roles such as real-life people, various staff at Live Aid, and audience members.

David Benedict of Variety similarly praised the musical's good intentions and the strength of the cast, but was critical of the awkward writing.

[15] Alice Saville of The Independent also gave a mixed review, saying that the show was powerful but sometimes felt like Bob Geldof's "tribute to himself".

[16] Meanwhile, the Evening Standard's Farah Najib praised the strong cast performances and felt the musical had sincere intentions but was too "sanitised" and came across as "white saviourism".

[17] Arif Akbar of The Guardian was more negative, praising the "sonic spectacle" of the musical and Els' portrayal of Bob Geldof, but was critical about the poor character development and lack of focus on the ethics of celebrity charity.