Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello and more to play ITV’s ‘Concert for Ukraine’
The two-hour fundraiser will air live next Tuesday (March 29)
By Joe Goggins
The first artists for next week’s ‘Concert for Ukraine’ humanitarian fundraiser have been announced.
Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Emeli Sandé, Gregory Porter and Snow Patrol will all play the two-hour fundraiser, which will be held at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham next Tuesday (March 29). The show was announced last week by ITV and STV, who will broadcast it live, along with the Heart and Capital radio stations.
All proceeds will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Humanitarian Appeal, which is supporting the millions displaced by Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine; the musical performances will be interspersed with short films highlighting the crucial work of the DEC.
A press release claims that the concert is already expected to raise in excess of £3 million. Marks & Spencer will sponsor the show; all sponsorship revenue will also go to the DEC fund. In a statement, singer and actress Cabello said: “My heart is breaking for the people of Ukraine. As refugees from Ukraine join millions of other displaced people around the globe, we all have a responsibility. One of the biggest needs is to get funds to organisations who can serve these communities directly, so we’re focusing our efforts on doing that as quickly as we can.”
Sandé added: “I will be singing to try to help every human being forced to flee their home and in solidarity with those being racially discriminated against even within this humanitarian crisis. Nobody should be refused access to relief, aid and the right to cross the border to safety, and I’m pleased for the chance to support the DEC’s appeal to help all people whose lives have been affected by the conflict.”
U.S. jazz star Porter also weighed in on the announcement. “So thankful to be able to raise my voice in the chorus of peace,” he said. “Together we can show our support for those that are sadly affected by the current world’s events.” Tickets for the show go on sale tomorrow (March 22) at 9am, here. You can donate to the DEC’s humanitarian appeal here. Further additions to the ‘Concert for Ukraine’ lineup are expected in the coming days.