2017 BRITs Week Shows Announced
BRITs Week for War Child returns with series of gigs that give fans the opportunity to see the biggest names in music in intimate venues across London – all whilst raising money for children whose lives have been torn apart by war. Produced by AEG, BPI and War Child - the charity for children affected by conflict, together with O2.
The gigs all take place in London between February 14 and 24 in the lead up to the BRIT Awards and celebrate another phenomenal year for British music. Warner Music UK, Sony Music UK, Universal Music UK and XL Recordings have each curated a night to showcase their most exciting new talent.
Chart toppers The 1975, Craig David and BRITs Critics' Choice winner Rag’n’Bone Man will all be performing at intimate and special venues across the capital, as well as Richard Hawley and Paul Weller, Wild Beasts, Rick Astley and Jack Savoretti.
Festival headliners Basement Jaxx will also be playing their only live UK date this year.
Hip-hop sensation Tinie Tempah, will headline a show with BRITs Critics' Choice nominee Anne-Marie, revered singer songwriter Lianne La Havas and country-roots duo Darline.
Our New Gen night will showcase the best of the indie artists, with WSTRN, Stefflon Don, Avelino, Yxng Bane and Abra Cadabra.
The prize draw for entry opens at 9:00am on Friday 20 January and closes a week prior to each show. To enter the prize draw to win tickets to see the artist of their choice music fans can make a £5 donation at www.britsweekwarchild.co.uk. To maximise the chance of winning, fans can enter as many times as they like. There will also be a limited number of tickets for sale from the same date.
A limited number of tickets for some of the shows will be available to buy exclusively to O2 customers via PriorityTickets from 9am Wednesday 18th January.
Liana Mellotte, Head of Music, Entertainment Development at War Child says: “Since 2009, War Child has been producing really special shows around the BRIT Awards that unite some of the greatest musicians in the world in support of children living with the brutality of war. This year’s line-up is once again testament to the musicians who generously donate their time, talent and unending commitment to protect the rights of children in the most horrendous circumstances. Words can’t really convey how grateful we are to them, to O2 and to our supporters around the UK who make this such a special time for War Child.”
In 2016 War Child raised a record breaking £564,768 by staging spectacular shows together with O2 as part of BRITs Week. Thousands of people applied for tickets to see artists including Bloc Party, Jamie XX, Florence + The Machine and Coldplay. The money helps fund War Child’s vital work delivering solutions protecting and educating children in some of the world’s worst conflict areas, such as Afghanistan, Jordan, Iraq, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & BRIT Awards, said: "I’m delighted that AEG and BPI are presenting ‘BRITs Week’ once again in partnership with War Child. Together, we’ll be putting on a great series of gigs supported by O2 and London First, featuring fantastic live acts that will also raise much-needed funds to help children whose lives have been devastated by war. We’d like to thank all the artists and their labels for their commitment as well as the fans for making these performances possible.”
Nina Bibby, Chief Marketing Officer at O2 comments: “BRITs Week together with O2 is rapidly becoming one of the highlights of the music calendar and we’re very proud to be continuing our long term partnership with War Child to stage some incredibly special shows. Live music can change lives and through Priority, O2 customers can not only get exclusive access to tickets 48 hours before general release, but also support War Child with their invaluable work to help children who have been affected by war."
