Bob Geldof shows solidarity with Ukraine at fundraising event
Bob Geldof repeated “what’s so funny about peace, love and understanding” in a performance raising money for Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
Night for Ukraine was held at the Roundhouse in north London on Wednesday evening, with the funds raised donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal to provide aid to people fleeing Ukraine.
“There is obviously so much talent, so many artists have shown up tonight to show their support for the people of Ukraine which demonstrates that the wonderful support from the UK public, it is just absolutely phenomenal,” he said.
The project was organised by the founder of Secret Cinema, Fabien Riggall, in collaboration with the Ukrainian pop duo Bloom Twins.
Before the music kicked off, the venue was plunged into darkness marking one minute of silence for the people of Ukraine.
The Bloom Twins, made up of twin sisters Anna and Sonia Kuprienko, performed an A Capella set and a new song they wrote “on the first day of the war”, telling the audience “we should be making songs not bombs”.
The Pretenders star Chrissie Hynde said “I have no words for this situation but I have a couple of songs” before performing an emotional rendition of I’ll Stand By You.
Irish singer Imelda May took to the stage saying “Slava Ukraini” meaning “Glory to Ukraine”, while her Ukrainian backing singer from The London Community Gospel Choir was wrapped in the country’s flag.
The evening also featured the resident choreographer of The Royal Ballet, Wayne McGregor, Jack Garratt on the piano and a performance from rock band Franz Ferdinand.
The Ukrainian baritone and principal artist for the Royal Opera House Yuriy Yurchuk, born in Kyiv, appeared alongside Russian pianist Konstantin Lapshin who received a round of applause from the audience.
Sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, adorned the venue and ticket holders were seen sporting yellow ribbons in their hair and waving the flowers during performances.
Similarly, the colours of blue and yellow, from the Ukrainian flag, decorated the London venue.
Speaking to PA, he said: “The charities on the ground are all working to upscale their efforts inside Ukraine as well as you can imagine it is going to be a mammoth task to be able to scale up the response and that is one of the challenges that we all face.
“Clearly we have to be there not just today and tomorrow but for the weeks and months and years ahead because it looks as though it is going to be sadly a protracted crisis.
“The UN estimates that 1.4 billion dollars is required for the humanitarian response, the concern and the fear is that this is going to be the biggest refugee crisis since World War II, the need is going to be here for a long time.
“We welcome the support, the need is absolutely huge.”
The chief executive added to “watch this space” as plans come together for a “large concert some time at the end of the month” in aid of the appeal.
The DEC brings together 15 of the UK’s leading aid charities – including British Red Cross, Oxfam UK and Save the Children UK – who are working on the ground in Ukraine and at the country’s borders to help those fleeing the conflict.
Night For Ukraine is encouraging other artists, organisers and venues to stage their own night across the nation to support DEC.