Holly and Sam Branson will be teaming up with major artists Emeli Sandé and Ed Sheeran for Amnesty International and Sofar Sounds’ global refugee solidarity concerts on 20th September. Sam Branson will host British superstar, Emeli Sandé, in his London home for an exclusive performance, and his sister Holly is hosting her own show at a home DC where she has secured a very special performance from her good friend Ed Sheeran after inviting him to perform alongside other artists.
Fans only have until Sunday 10th September to apply to win tickets for the Give a Home concerts, which are in aid of supporting the rights of more than 22.5 million refugees around the world.
Sam Branson, who is hosting for Emeli, said, “As a lover of music, I couldn’t be more happy to host such a talent at my own home. It’s going to be a very special evening for such a great cause. Really looking forward to it!”
Holly Branson, who is hosting Ed Sheeran, said, “In creating a global campaign dedicated to shining a light on the ever-growing refugee crisis, people the world over are being united through a love of music and a passion for change. It’s going to be an incredibly special night and I’m so thankful to have Ed there to perform.”
Kate Allen, Amnesty UK Director, said: “It’s incredible to have the support from amazing artists such as Ed Sheeran and Emeli Sandé, as well as everyone opening up their homes, hosting and attending gigs. Music lifts our spirits, helps us think about things in new ways and it knows no borders. These concerts will bring people together to show solidarity with refugees and celebrate what unites us. We hope that this symbol of unity will send a strong message to governments around the world to do a lot more to support and welcome refugees.”
Give a Home brings together an incredible line-up of award-winning artists such as Emeli Sandé, Ed Sheeran, Laura Mvula, Tom Odell, Hozier and many more. The intimate concerts will take place in various people’s homes around the world on Wednesday 20th September and features performances from refugee artists, including the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians who will join the line-up with Kate Tempest in London.
Further artists confirmed to perform in London include Daughter, Kate Tempest, Tom Chaplin, Ghetts and Nick Mulvey. The Fratellis, The National, Nadine Shah and many more are playing in the UK. The full list of gigs is available on sofarsounds.com/giveahome, where fans have until 10 September to apply for tickets for the shows taking place in their city.
Launched on World Refugee Day in June, Give a Home will see 1,000 musicians playing in over 300 shows in people’s homes in more than 60 countries worldwide. The concert series brings together some of the world’s most recognised musicians, refugee artists and activists with local communities. The money raised will support Amnesty’s work to protect human rights around the world.
Give a Home comes as the global refugee population exceeds 22 million – the worst refugee crisis since the Second World War – with people forced to flee conflict and persecution across the world. The number of refugees from the brutal conflict in South Sudan alone has passed one and a half million, making it Africa’s largest refugee crisis, and the third biggest in the world after Syria and Afghanistan.