International charity War Child have today revealed a new star-studded music project, a follow-up to 1995’s ‘HELP’, unveiled alongside Arctic Monkeys’ first single in four years. The song ‘Opening Night’, will be in the company of tracks from a broad spectrum of British indie, pop and rock music.

War Child were founded in 1993 to support children dealing with the tragic effects of war, and in 1995 they gathered the day’s biggest musical acts to create the first ‘HELP’ album. The project was supported by British stars like Paul McCartney, Blur, Radiohead and Oasis, raising over £1.25 million for War Child’s relief efforts.

As well as further charity album releases, the music wing of War Child has raised awareness through concerts. Aimed at catching some of the spotlight on British music cast by the BRIT Awards, the shows generate attention for more serious matters and raise significant funds. It was through one of these shows that they first began a partnership with Arctic Monkeys. Their 2018 show at the Royal Albert Hall was a roaring success, and between takings on the night and sales of the recording’s release, it raised over £250,000 for War Child.

Arctic Monkeys, formed in Sheffield in 2002, have been one of the most important bands in the UK’s indie rock scene since the beginning of the millennium. However, following the release of 2022 album ‘The Car’, and a headlining slot at 2023’s Glastonbury festival, they have made no announcements nor released any music.

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Suspense has been building up for their return since the mysterious creation of the “War Child Records” social media account at the start of January. There were clear signs that both Arctic Monkeys, and their producer James Ford would be involved in the then-unconfirmed project. Earlier this week, the account declared that the first single from the project would indeed be by Arctic Monkeys, and it would premiere at 3PM today, Thursday the 22nd of January.

So now, the new single has debuted and it was well worth the wait. ‘Opening Night’ is a sombre, lonely desert-rock tune, reminiscent of bluesy hits by US band Eagles. The lyrics are very deep, with serious weight put towards the theme of the album and War Child project, and the haunting, fuzzy twangs of the guitars echo eerily throughout the piece.

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The full album ‘HELP(2)’ boasts a who’s-who of the UK music scene, with long-term legends like Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz, Blur bandmate Graham Coxon, Johnny Marr, Depeche Mode, and Pulp, alongside current stars such as Beabadoobee and Foals. The project also drew in international talent including Beck, Geese frontman Cameron Winter, and Olivia Rodrigo. James Ford, who also produces for several of the other acts involved, served as Executive Producer for the full album, which was recorded in conjunction with Abbey Road Studios.

‘HELP(2)’ releases in physical and digital formats on the 6th of March, with all proceeds going towards War Child’s continued efforts to protect children from the fallout of conflict. The full list of artists and tracks can be found on the album pre-order site here, and you can pre-save ‘HELP(2)’ on streaming platforms here.

It’s been 30 years since international charity War Child first released their historic fundraising album ‘Help’. Now, due to a cryptic new social media account, suspense is mounting for an exciting new iteration which may or may not be under development.

War Child, who were founded to aid children suffering the after-effects of global conflicts, originated in 1993, when filmmakers David Wilson and Bill Leeson, alongside social entrepreneur Willemijn Verloop, travelled to what was then Yugoslavia during the civil war. Their website draws parallels to the current conflict in Ukraine, where Russia’s invasion has destroyed the lives of so many children and families.

In 1995, they united many of the biggest artists of the time to record ‘The HELP Album’. The record features performances by Paul McCartney, Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, and Paul Weller, as well as collaborative tracks involving several of the aforementioned stars. The album raised £1.25 million for the charity, and left a strong legacy, leading to sequel ‘Help! A Day In The Life’ to be released 10 years later in 2005. This time they brought through new talent, with the likes of Coldplay, Elbow, and Bloc Party joining up, while Blur’s Damon Albarn returned with then-new project Gorillaz.

Aside from other charity albums, War Child have also worked with artists to set up concerts to raise money and spread awareness. These shows were often timed to coincide with the BRIT Awards, where the spotlight would be most firmly on British music. Famous collaborators include Ed Sheeran, Muse, and Florence + The Machine. By far the biggest and most successful event was Arctic Monkeys’ 2018 show at the Royal Albert Hall. This night generated at least £250,000 for the charity, with the recording being released in 2020 also donating all proceeds to War Child.

Earlier this week, a mysterious new Instagram page, named “War Child Records” was created, posting one singular item – an announcement that “There is a group of artists who are working on something important in support of War Child.”

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Digging deeper, the account follows only 12 other profiles, most notably The Last Dinner Party, Fontaines D.C., Pulp, Beck, Damon Albarn, and Arctic Monkeys. Typically social media following can be used to infer some interesting things, for example here it suggests that these artists will be involved in this new project, with several of them being past alumni of other War Child projects. Also in the list is producer James Ford, who  shared the post on his account, providing more evidence that he will be involved in the mix.

The band drawing particular attention from this development is Arctic Monkeys, who haven’t released new music since LP ‘The Car’ in 2022, and have mostly been flying under the radar since their Friday headline set at 2023’s Glastonbury Festival. With a fanbase desperate for any new material, their social media following have gone wild with anticipation since drummer Matt Helders shared the War Child Records post, a likely indicator of their involvement.

With the rumour mill churning away, War Child Records have shared a link on their page which when clicked, displays a message starting with “JANUARY 2026”, and a button to sign up to a newsletter for further announcements. Whether this will be a full LP, a relief concert or something else remains to be seen, but we may get an announcement before the end of the month.

For decades, ‘War Pigs’ has been an integral part of Judas Priest’s live shows, often serving as their walk-out song before they hit the stage. Its dark, anti-war message and thunderous riffs set the tone for the band’s high-octane performances, making the song a fitting anthem for their legacy in heavy metal. Now, rather than just using it as their dramatic introduction, Priest have recorded their own definitive version- made even more powerful with the voice of the man who first brought it to the world.

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The collaboration carries special weight due to guitarist Glenn Tipton’s ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease. Tipton revealed his diagnosis in 2018, stepping back from touring but continuing to contribute in the studio. His guitar work features on this recording, symbolising his unbreakable bond with the band and his determination to keep creating music despite health challenges.

The project resonated deeply with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, who both supported turning the track into a charity release. A press statement describes the single as a “monumental collaboration honouring the heavy metal icons Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath,” uniting two of the genre’s most influential forces.

Frontman Rob Halford has spoken passionately about the experience of trading lines with Ozzy on the track, calling it a career milestone: “What is cool and what is kind of waiting in the wings is Ozzy singing with me, doing ‘War Pigs’ together. We’ve been able to do that, it’s there – we’re just going through the rigamarole of legal clearance.”

He continued: “Ozzy’s singing a line and then I’m singing a line, and Ozzy’s singing a line and I’m singing a line. It’s the first ever time in my entire life that I’ve been able to do a duet with Ozzy, and I’m so eternally grateful and blessed that I was able to do that.”

The track can now be downloaded on all major streaming platforms and can be accessed via the link here.

In case you missed it, MXDWN’s earlier coverage of the Black Sabbath ‘Back To The Beginning’ charity show for Parkinson’s can be read here.

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  Kicking off at 11am tomorrow, 9 April, and running all the way through to 3pm on 13 April, the marathon effort will involve over 50 DJs, including some huge names from the UK and beyond. The event will be streamed live from Mile End, East London, and will be available via the AllSorts DJ Marathon website, which will also allow viewers to donate to the GoFundMe page.  

For every big name DJ, or mind-blowing set, there is a serious cause underpinning it all: social mobility. All charitable proceeds will be donated to the Zero Gravity Fund, the UK’s largest scholarship initiative, focussing on high-potential students from low-opportunity areas, and helping them to achieve their aspirations. Since launching in 2020, the fund has raised over £1.8 million, directly funded more than 560 students, and assisted thousands more. Zero Gravity doesn’t stop there, assisting students moving into life-changing careers too.  

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“We believe that every young person, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to succeed,” says Nick Byrne, co-founder at AllSorts of Tunes. “The AllSorts World Record DJ Marathon is our way of contributing to a more equitable future, where education empowers all.”  

Zero Gravity identifies the top 15% of talented young people from the bottom 40% of socially disadvantaged areas, and provides them with mentoring, masterclasses, careers support, and potential employer connections. This approach ensures that these students have all the help they need, rather than just offering financial aid. According to their website, Zero Gravity has supported a quarter of all current Oxbridge students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The latest report from the Social Mobility Index showed a slip in students from disadvantaged backgrounds progressing to university, despite schemes such as the Zero Gravity Fund, the Stormzy Scholarship, and the John Lennon Memorial Scholarship, making this event all the more important.  

The current world record for longest marathon DJ live stream is held by Mark Ursa, who set the record in Brazil while locked down during the COVID-19 pandemic, June 2020. That record stands at 51 hours, and AllSorts’ attempt will take it to another level. Not just doubling the current record, the attempt will feature a stellar lineup, captured by four different cameras. A 4K camera will capture the front view, a deck-mounted fish eye lens will take viewers close to the action, a birds eye camera will capture the scene from above, and there will be a side-view camera too.  

“We’re so excited to partner with AllSorts of Tunes on their World Record DJ Marathon to raise funds for Zero Gravity Scholarships,” says Shiv Patel, Head of Scholarships at Zero Gravity. “Music has always brought people together and driven change—and this collaboration is no different.”  

 

 

 

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Among the confirmed acts are Prospa, Tommy Villiers, Michelle Manetti, Kyah Fyah, Scruz, XDBR, Jive Talk, Dutty Moonshine, Cable!, Kenny Blacksmith, and many more. Just this morning, as the timer ticked down to less than 24 hours, another act was confirmed, with edbl now joining the star-studded lineup.

The event has four main sponsors, all of which have presumably supported the event in four key areas. N-EKTA is supplying alcohol-free drinks to keep the DJs going, while RJCC Events, an event production company, has helped with the lighting, visuals, and sound for the mini-festival. They are also sponsored by 5 Minutes to Delhi, a ready-meal company, and ISHO Creative, who specialise in digital marketing.

The AllSorts DJ Marathon is set to be a one-of-a-kind event, all in the name of pushing back against social inequality. With a stacked lineup, the event is akin to a festival, all accessible from the comfort of your own home. The event will be able to streamed here. The link to donate to the GoFundMe page can be found here.

“Amanda [Blank] and I are doing everything we can personally and privately to help, but in order to do more and shed some light on the organisations doing so much to help, I’m gonna do a limited run on @cameo and donate all proceeds to @daylaborernetwork a community that inspires me and I admire very much.”

He shared a link to his Cameo page underneath, which can be accessed here. Cameo is a website that allows fans to request personalized videos of their favourite celebrities for a price – other stars on the platform include Ne-Yo, Flava Flav, Tommy Lee and Dionne Warwick.

The wildfires, which began last Tuesday (January 7), are the most destructive LA has ever seen. There have been 24 confirmed deaths, and 180,000 residents have been evacuated as 12,000 buildings have been destroyed by the blazes. The fires are reported to be the costliest in US history, with over $200 billion worth of damage estimated.

Some notable musicians have lost their homes, including Jhene Aiko, Madlib, Harry Mack, Iron Maiden guitarist Adam Smith, Harry Mack and Diane Warren.

A few prominent artists have donated to relief efforts for the fires. Beyonce has announced that BeyGOOD, the singer’s non-profit charity, has donated $2.5 million to aid relief efforts and assist those impacted by the fires. Metallica have also announced that they have donated $500,000 to relief efforts, through their All Within My Hands Foundation.

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Some music companies have also taken action to aid charities and organizations dealing with the fires and their fallout. Amazon has pledged $10 million to various funds and charities. Sony has provided a $5 million donation to organizations supporting first responders, community relief and rebuilding efforts.

Musical instrument retailer Guitar Center has also announced a new program to help musicians affected by the wildfires, providing local musicians special one-time grants to replace their destroyed instruments and gear.

Provided by Digital Music News, here is a list of organizations providing relief for LA musicians.

The LA legends released ‘Outta Da Blue’ in November before the album dropped on December 13. Now it’s been found that the two hip hop stars sourced a sample from the song ‘Watermelon Fantasy’, released by the charity Daylight Studio in 2018.

The sampled track was performed by three artists with learning disabilities and produced by the founder of Daylight Studio and one of its trustees. Daylight is a day centre for adults with learning disabilities, run by Islington Council.

‘Watermelon Fantasy’ is an abstract piece, featuring industrial synths, booming 808’s, jolty percussion rhythms and echoey vocals. Dre and Snoop’s reworking loops part of the song with some added funky drums beneath it.

Tina Bruins, one of the featured artists on the original, told the Guardian: “I was shocked. I remember being like: ‘Whaaaaaat?’ I didn’t know it was going to be released by Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg. I thought no, I thought it was a fantasy.”

She added that “It was a good shock because it sort of proves I make good music. I’m proud of [‘Watermelon Fantasy’] because Snoop Dogg took it over.”

Jack Daley, a recording engineer, and Oliver Price, a music producer and songwriter, created the track with Tina Bruins, Mandy Priddice and Cedrick Letshou Olembo while hosting music sessions at the day centre. The proceeds from the collaboration are to be split equally by the three artists, with production shares being donated back to the Daylight charity.

Daley was happy to be sampled by Dre, telling The Guardian “This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’m pretty certain I can say that this year has been the best year of my life because of it.”

Price said “I still can’t believe it’s a real thing. It sort of feels divinely ordained because the song is called ‘Outta Da Blue’ and it came out of the blue and it’s like we’re living in a watermelon fantasy. It’s all quite funny really.”

Since its November release, ‘Outta Da Blue’ has been featured in the trailer for Netflix’s upcoming film Back In Action featuring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, American football game Madden NFL 25, and in an Amazon Music Live series where Snoop performs hits from his extensive discography.

‘Missionary’, the new collab album from the California duo has featured a wide array of samples, plucking material from jazz artists like Ahmad Jamal, soul from The Stylistics, and even a few rock samples from Sting, Pink Floyd and Tom Petty.

All creators of ‘Watermelon Fantasy‘ would like to do more collabs with local and international artists using Daylight Studio’s music. Price hopes “maybe this won’t be the last sample. It would be awesome if Kendrick Lamar or Drake or someone would use it. You just don’t know.”

Dre and Snoops new album has received generally favourable reviews – while Slant Magazine branded its maximalist production as “sonic overindulgence” that sounds “ultimately uninspired”, The Independent complimented it as “relentlessly interesting” and praised Snoop’s inspired performance. You can listen to the full album here.

It’s been a busy year for the singer-actress. In March, she released her seventh studio album, ‘Eternal Sunshine,’ which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Her performance in Wicked, released in November, earned her nominations for Best Supporting Actress at both the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics’ Choice Awards. To finish off this year of career highs, however, Grande has given back to the place that saw her greatest career tragedy seven years ago: Manchester.

In a continuation of her support for the city hospitals, the singer has sent Christmas presents to young patients. The gifts, distributed to babies, children, and teenagers, have reached wards in Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Trafford General, Wythenshawe Hospital, and North Manchester General.

Thank you Ariana Grande!

We are so grateful to Ariana for thinking of our young patients this Christmas. The gifts she has donated are being distributed to babies, children and teenagers across @RMCHosp, @TraffordHosp, @WythenshaweHosp and @NorthMcrGH_NHS. pic.twitter.com/FFKVbRWGt0

— Manchester Foundation Trust Charity (@MFT_Charity) December 23, 2024

The Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, which coordinates donations for the city’s healthcare facilities, expressed their thanks for the pop star’s gifts. The gesture is a continuation of Grande’s deep connection to Manchester, forged in the wake of the devastating 2017 Manchester Arena bombing that took the lives of 22 people at a concert on her ‘Dangerous Woman’ tour.

Following the tragedy, Grande organised the “One Love Manchester” benefit concert, raising $12 million for victims and their families through the Red Cross and the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. The starry evening featured the likes of Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Robbie Williams, Niall Horan, and Stevie Wonder.

As the BBC has noted, in the past, Grande has also directed her support toward the neo-natal intensive care units of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, North Manchester General, Wythenshawe Hospital, and Saint Mary’s Hospital.

Grande’s generosity comes as she marks another milestone: the 10-year anniversary of her festive anthem “Santa Tell Me.” The song, a mainstay of holiday playlists, recently broke into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time since its release in 2014. To celebrate, the singer unveiled a live performance video, much to the delight of her fans.

For Manchester, though, Grande’s season of giving resonates far beyond the charts. Her ongoing contributions are a reminder of her attachment to the city—a relationship shaped by tragedy but now defined by love and solidarity. This Christmas, it’s a gesture that has the potential and intention to bring a warmth and joy to the children who need it most.

With a goal of raising £5,000, the initiative seeks to provide critical aid to displaced people facing harsh conditions this winter.

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In an impassioned Instagram post, the singer described the current global climate as one of “mass confusion, perpetual division, and unprecedented conflicting information,” which can leave people feeling “hopeless, useless, and at worst apathetic.” She countered these feelings with a rallying cry for collective action: “Every thought, protest, prayer, debate and PENNY matters.”

Her chosen charity, Refugee Briyani and Bananas, focuses on direct, grassroots support for displaced individuals. Known for providing essential resources and fostering a sense of humanity in crisis situations, the organisation embodies the kind of on-the-ground work Greentea Peng (Born Aria Wells) champions. 

In recent years Greentea Peng has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary British music. Her sound is an intoxicating fusion of neo-soul, psychedelic R&B, and reggae, distinguished by a hallucinogenic quality that lures listeners into a dreamlike reverie. Her breakthrough came with the 2018 debut EP “Sensi,” followed by the 2019 single “Downers,” which garnered millions of views on COLORS and listens on Spotify. 

From providing food and hygiene items on Greece’s Chios Island to advocating for detainees through their Prison Run Project, the charity operates with precision and compassion. Peng’s pre-Christmas collaboration aims to raise £5,000 to support refugees during the winter months, a stark reminder of the urgent need for solidarity in the current political climate. In her statement on the fundraising page she notes: “B&B Is a charity I actually trust and can receive real time information and updates from and I plan to spend some time volunteering for them early next year.”  

“Times are hard, but even harder for some,” the artist reminded her audience, urging followers to contribute any amount they can. She emphasised the collective power of small actions, imagining the impact if every one of her followers donated just £1. “Let’s support sincere organisations doing sincere work for the collective!” she concluded, calling for unity and action.

With soulful melodies and introspective lyrics, she has become a beacon for audiences seeking a connection beyond the superficial. With her fearless artistry and genre-defying ethos, she continues to reshape the contours of modern music, offering a voice that is both singular and resonant.

This fundraiser highlights not only the immediate needs of displaced individuals but also the broader importance of grassroots initiatives in tackling global crises. With temperatures dropping and challenges mounting for refugee communities, Greentea Peng’s efforts underscore the urgency of coming together to make a difference.

For those who want to learn more or to help, donations can be made via the link in her Instagram bio. 

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Readipop is a registered charity created in 1998. It aims to improve people’s lives by helping them make music. They work with young people, older people and aspiring artists to improve their outlook and the communities around them. Their work is based in Thames Valley and Reading, and according to their website, from 2022-2023, they provided 310 hours of music mentoring, had 5248 attendees, and put on 14 performances by their young people. In 2024, the festival went ahead from 12-14 July in Reading.   

 

 

 

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Artists such as Fabio & Grooverider, Northern Irish group Ash and Britpop group Echobelly all headlined across the three days. The festival also offered ‘AAA Takeovers’, or access to all areas takeovers, to show the behind-the-scenes of artists signed to the charities’ Riser music label and a family area where there were dance workshops. Reading’s Indie Market also came to the festival over the weekend section of the festival, offering crafts and clothing stores, and Purple Turtle bars sold craft beers.

In an official statement on the Readipop website, the founder, Gavin Lambos, has said that they will be taking time to evaluate the festival and it’s inner workings to make it more effective for everyone. According to the BBC, in a radio interview, Lambos raised the point that similar things are happening across the UK with independent festivals, especially after the pandemic. Whilst they took the time and recovered, there are other things such as other bigger festivals and rising costs for most things in the UK that they cannot contend with at the moment. They simply cannot afford the costs and keep ticket prices down, which ultimately leads festivals to be cancelled or postponed.

It’s not all bad news though, as Readipop have revealed that there will be a newly opened studio at Trafford Road for which they will be having a launch event.

Whilst talking to the BBC, the founder said “We’ll be taking time to re-evaluate the structure and inner workings of the festival to make it more effective for everyone involved.” Hopefully the festival will be back in the future and better than ever in a different format, depending on costs and other obstacles. But for now, the Readipop Festival 2025 will not go ahead.

Classic Football Shirts also said “We’re delighted to be helping Sea Girls give something back to their fans and local communities through football. There’s now a strong list of artists and bands sponsoring their favourite football teams, but this idea to sponsor local grassroots clubs along the tour route for the band shows how much they care about their fans and it gives everyone a chance to get involved. The first kit with AFC Muswell Hill has come out brilliantly and we’re already excited to see how all these teams get on in these shirts this season.” You can view how an alternative version of the kit will look below.

Male, female and LGBTQ+ communities will represent local league teams and pre-oders are also now available here for a special upcycled, Sea Girls-sponsored shirt for general purchase, with proceeds going to the Football Beyond Boarders (FBB)charity. You can view Sea Girls’ upcoming 2022 UK headline tour dates alongside special guest Lauran Hibberd below, due to high demand, extra dates have been added as well as a n additional special DJ set from TV and Radio presenter Abbie McCarthy, you can buy tickets here. In other sport related news for the band their latest single “Falling Apart” is also set to appear on popular football video game FIFA 23.
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Sea Girls 2023 UK Tour:

17/11/22 Rock City – Nottingham
18/11 O2 Academy – Birmingham
19/11 O2 Academy – Glasgow
20/11 The Empire – Middlesbrough
22/11 University Great Hall – Cardiff
23/11 O2 Guildhall – Southampton
24/11 The Foundry – Torquay
26/11 O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
27/11 – Liverpool, O2 Academy – Liverpool
28/11 University Of Hull – Hull
01/12 Alexandra Palace – London