Entertainment · Music · 7 hrs ago
Geldof and Madness to play Manchester concert for Ukraine
Bob Geldof, Madness and other artists will perform at Songs Of Freedom, a benefit concert at Manchester’s Co-op Live on 3 February.
The concert will raise money for four charities supporting people in Ukraine: UNITED24, Voices of Children, the Sviatoslav Vakarchuk Charitable Foundation and Masha Foundation.
Their work includes emergency aid, trauma support, education and healthcare.
The event is intended as a show of solidarity with women, children and vulnerable communities affected by the war.
The concert will be broadcast worldwide, and some artists, including Paul McCartney and Barbra Streisand, are expected to appear by video.
Tickets go on sale on 16 November, with more performers to be announced; a recording of the Ukrainian song “Shchedryk” will also raise money for the appeal.
Bob Geldof, Madness and Peter Hook & The Light are among the performers announced for Songs Of Freedom, a benefit concert for people affected by the war in Ukraine.
The concert is scheduled for 3 February at Manchester’s Co-op Live and will be broadcast worldwide.
Funds raised will go to four charities providing humanitarian support, including trauma assistance, education and healthcare.
Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand and Sean Penn are among the artists expected to appear by video.
The event was conceived by Carlisle indie band Hardwicke Circus, whose members said they wanted to bring light relief to people affected by the war.
- Who
- Performers include Bob Geldof, Madness and Peter Hook & The Light; more acts are expected to be announced.
- What
- Songs Of Freedom is a benefit concert raising money for humanitarian charities supporting people in Ukraine.
- When
- 3 February next year. The sources were published in November 2026.
- Where
- Co-op Live in Manchester.
- Why
- To raise funds and awareness for women, children and vulnerable communities affected by the war in Ukraine.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A recording of Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells), featuring the Songs for Ukraine Choir, the Royal Opera Choir and the London Metropolitan Orchestra, is due to be released.
Venue pre-sales are scheduled to begin.
Tickets are scheduled to go on general sale.
Songs Of Freedom is scheduled to take place at Co-op Live in Manchester.
- Event
- Songs Of Freedom
- Date
- 3 February next year
- Venue
- Co-op Live, Manchester
- Beneficiary charities
- UNITED24; Voices of Children; Sviatoslav Vakarchuk Charitable Foundation (People of the Future); Masha Foundation
- Virtual appearances
- Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand and Sean Penn
2 sources
What people are saying
We wanted to bring some light relief to people who have been through so much. We are proud to see this simple idea grow into an international night of solidarity.
This war has gone on far too long and more and more children are suffering as a result.