Top Bristol bands Portishead and Idles will headline a Ukraine benefit gig in Bristol next month. The 600 pairs of tickets for the bank holiday show at 02 Academy will only be available through a £10 prize draw - with all those who enter the prize draw having access to a high quality online live stream of the whole event.
This will be the first gig from Portishead since 2015 and a welcome hometown return for Idles, who were last seen in the city at the Downs Festival. They will be joined at this special one-off fundraiser for War Child by Billy Nomates, Katy J Pearson, Heavy Lungs and Wilderman.
Called Help - A War Child Benefit, the gig takes place on Bank Holiday Monday May 2 at the O2 Academy Bristol and it has been organised by Crosstown Concerts, Friendly Records and War Child UK.
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Lead singer of Idles, Joe Talbot, said: “We have been kindly invited to play a show for the benefit of Warchild. Please donate or sign up to this charity - we believe that nobody should endure war, especially children. Thank you.”
A spokesperson for Portishead said: “We are really pleased to be able to support the people of Ukraine by performing a few songs at this event in collaboration with the amazing War Child charity.”
Heavy Lungs lead singer Danny Nedelko is Ukrainian. He said: “Hailing originally from Odessa makes this cause really close to my heart and it’s incredibly special being a part of this show.”
Further acts including Willie J Healey, Wilderman and DJ Boca 45 will be performing on the bill, utilising both performance spaces in the Frogmore Street venue.
To be in with a chance to win tickets, every £10 donated will receive three separate entries into the prize draw. Alternatively, anyone can enter the draw for free.
Proceeds raised prior to and during the six-hour special will go to the charity, War Child UK, helping to deliver their work in supporting refugees and children affected by war and conflict around the world. Donations will help the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, and match funding from the UK government will also go to Yemen where millions of children are still in desperate need of protection from conflict.
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.
“We deliver life-changing services and support in communities affected by conflicts to keep children safe and help them to heal and learn for the chance of a better future. The money raised by this gig will make sure that we can respond quickly to children who need that support right now.”
With more acts yet to be announced, tickets will be going on sale for the shows at midday today (April 7). The prize draw can be entered either by donating online or for free by sending a postcard with the entrant’s name, address and contact details clearly written in black or blue ink to WAR CHILD BRISTOL, Studio 320, Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TL.
The prize draw will close at midnight on Sunday April 24. Winners will be chosen at random on Monday April 25.
There will be additional opportunities to donate further to the charity, and exclusive merchandise for the event will also be available. Artwork for the show and merchandise has been created by 3D (Robert Del Naja) of Massive Attack.
To enter the prize draw and for more ticket details, go here.
