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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Laura Snapes

Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello and Emeli Sandé to play Concert for Ukraine

(L-R) Emeli Sandé, Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello.
(L-R) Emeli Sandé, Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello. Composite: Rex, Getty

Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello and Snow Patrol will perform at the televised Concert for Ukraine, to be broadcast by ITV and STV.

“My heart is breaking for the people of Ukraine,” said Cabello. “As refugees from Ukraine join millions of other displaced people around the globe, we all have a responsibility.”

Emeli Sandé and Gregory Porter will also perform at the concert, which takes place at the Birmingham Resorts World Arena on 29 March.

All proceeds will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian appeal, which enables 15 of the UK’s leading aid charities including British Red Cross, Save the Children UK and Oxfam UK to provide food, water, shelter and medical assistance to refugees in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

Viewers will be able to donate throughout the evening, and ITV has pledged to donate all sponsorship and advertising revenue generated from the broadcast – an estimated £3m – to the appeal.

“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,” Sandé said.

“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.”

Porter said he was “thankful to be able to raise my voice in the chorus of peace”, and added: “Together we can show our support for those that are sadly affected by the current world’s events.”

More performers are yet to be announced for the two-hour event, which will also include short films documenting the ongoing relief efforts and the experiences of Ukrainians escaping the conflict. An estimated 1.85 million Ukrainians have been displaced since Russia invaded the country four weeks ago.

Global radio stations Heart and Capitol will broadcast the concert live and offer exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage. It seems likely that Sheeran and Cabello will perform together at the concert, having previously collaborated on his 2019 song South of the Border and her new single Bam Bam.

Since the launch of the DEC appeal on 3 March, it has raised in excess of £200m, including £25m matched by the UK government.

  • Tickets for the Concert for Ukraine go on sale on Tuesday 22 March.

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