Bob Geldof, Madness, Peter Hook and more will be coming together for ‘Songs Of Freedom’ – a one-off charity show in Manchester that raises money for those in Ukraine.
Set to take place at the Co-op Love on February 3, the gig marks a night of solidarity for the women, children, and vulnerable communities affected by the war in Ukraine.
Live performances have already been lined-up from Bob Geldof, The Doobie Brothers, Madness, Peter Hook & The Light, Chrissie Hynde, The Lathums, and Nick Lowe.
Other names on the bill include Inspiral Carpets, Brooke Combe, Chris Difford, Midge Ure, Alabama 3, Graham Parker, The Molotovs, Johnny & The Hardwickes, The Blockheads, Schmalgauzen, Songs for Ukraine Choir, Royal Opera Chorus, and the London Metropolitan Orchestra, and more artists are set to be announced at a later date.
There will also be virtual appearances from artists who cannot make it in person, including Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Sean Penn, Huey Lewis & The News and Flyte.
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Tickets go on sale on Monday (November 16) and the event will raise vital funds and global awareness for UNITED24, Voices of Children, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk Charitable Foundation (People of the Future) and Masha Foundation. All four of those charities work to provide urgent humanitarian relief, including trauma assistance, education, healthcare, and music schools.
Visit here for tickets.
“I am really pleased to have the opportunity to play my part in helping the Children and Communities in Ukraine,” said Harvey Goldsmith CBE. This war has gone on far too long and more and more children are suffering as a result. The concert at Coop in Manchester will highlight their plight. We must stand together and play a role in pressuring the need to stop this war.”
Singer and guitarist Johnny Foster said: “We wanted to bring some light relief to people who have been through so much. We are proud to see this simple idea grow into an international night of solidarity.”
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Ahead of the gig, the organisers will also drop a special recording of the Ukrainian song ‘Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells)’ featuring the Songs for Ukraine Choir, the Royal Opera Choir and the London Metropolitan Orchestra. All proceeds will go towards the humanitarian appeal.
In May, NME spoke to Bob Geldof about the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical and the cast album. He told us that he felt “a personal obligation” to get the stage show off the ground.
When asked if a Live Aid would be possible in 2025, Geldof told NME that “we’re in the age of the death of kindness, and I object”, adding: “To understand Band Aid and Live Aid, then you’ve got to understand the agents – not just in music, but politics.”
