In the last few weeks, it’s been harrowing to watch the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine develop, leaving many wondering what they can do to help support those affected by the war in any small part from overseas. Friendly Records, Crosstown Concerts and War Child UK have announced that they will be joining forces to bring a huge fundraising concert for Ukraine to Bristol.
Organisers have revealed that IDLES and Portishead will be headlining the HELP! concert, a one-off, six-hour benefit gig on May Day Bank Holiday (May 2). The concert will see IDLES play their only hometown gig of 2022 while this will be Portishead’s only show of the year and their first live gig since 2015.
The HELP! concert will feature a line-up of artists from Bristol- both up and coming and globally renowned – coming together to celebrate the music of the city and to raise much needed funds for Ukraine. Held at O2 Academy Bristol, the line-up features the likes of Katy J Pearson, Heavy Lungs and Wilderman, alongside DJ Boca 45, Willie J Healey and Billie Nomates, with more acts to be announced in the coming weeks.
However for those looking to get a ticket, there will be exclusively 1200 tickets and they will only be available through a £10 prize draw, which will see 600 pairs of lucky ticket holders attend the event. Everyone entering the prize draw will have access to a high quality online live stream of the whole event. Every £10 donated will receive three separate entries into the prize draw or anyone can enter the draw for free.
Rich Clarke, head of War Child Records, said: “War Child is hugely grateful to the artist community for coming together to create this amazing night of live music at O2 Academy Bristol. So many people have donated their time and energy to bring this show together and help War Child stand up for the rights of children affected by war in areas like Ukraine.
“The impact of the situation in Ukraine will affect an entire generation and there will be acutely vulnerable children who need our help to stay safe. The money raised by this gig will make sure that we can respond quickly to children who need that support right now.”
Tickets will be going on sale for the shows at midday on April 7 and closes at midnight on April 24. Winners will be chosen at random on April 25.