The festive concert is set to take place on Sunday November 21st 2021 at the magnificent London Palladium. Sande and Arthur will be joining the previously confirmed acts Will Young, Rag’n’Bone Man, Mica Paris and Jazz legend Jamie Cullum. The event will be presented by Harriet Scott and former Boyzone member Ronan Keating, the “Life Is A Rollercoaster” singer will also be joining the musical acts on stage. Scott and Keating announced the event’s new additions on Monday 8th November 2021 via an appearance on the ‘Magic Radio Breakfast Show’.

The radio station took to Twitter to post a hint at the radio show’s announcement

This morning on Magic Breakfast:

Tell us it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, without telling us it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas pic.twitter.com/nDajJZEe9Q

— Magic Radio (@magicfm) November 8, 2021

In other news, next week will see a possible return to the charts for Keating. The Irish singer’s new album Songs From Home is set to be released on 12th November 2021. The 44-year-old pop veteran has carefully chosen a dozen tracks that celebrate and honour his heritage. The release consists of the chosen twelve songs as well as one original recording. The album will be released via Deca Records, the British record label which has become an institution within the music industry after nearly a century in the business.

A press release for the album has given the following statement, “The album toasts Ronan Keating’s love for Irish music, as well as its continued significance in his life. Celebrating traditional poetry and folklore alongside contemporary pieces, ‘Songs From Home’ forms the ultimate soundtrack to Ronan’s personal story. Masterfully, Ronan weaves between unheard tales of his youth to artists embedded in Ronan, and Ireland’s, substantial musical heritage.”

The Dublin born singer’s new album features collaborations with many celebrated artists. On the track “No Frontiers”, Keating duets with Irish singer Mary Black. Black started her career in 1975 and has become a key figure and icon within the folk music genre. Within the album, Keating also pays homage to late American Irish singer Mic Christopher on the late singer’s track “Heyday”. Christopher is known for his solo work as well as the founding member of the band The Mary Janes, the group disbanded in 1999 after 9 years together.

The singer became a solo artist and his first solo EP Heyday was released after a motorcycle accident. In support of the new release, Christopher joined The Waterboys on tour in 2001. After a performance on tour, Christopher was found unconscious after he accidentally fell and struck his head on a step. The 32-year-old singer was taken to hospital but tragically lost his life after lapsing into a coma due to swelling in the brain. The album also features the track ”Summer In Dublin” which sees Keating reflect on the summer of 1990, an era which the singer remembers fondly, as it was just before Boyzone catapulted into fame.

Tickets for Magic Of Christmas are reportedly sold out, but there are tickets available to win on Magic Radio and online at Magic.co.uk

Click here to win tickets.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from all the incredible artists & celebrities who will be helping to raise vital funds for our music therapy on Tue 15 Dec for our Christmas concert #SingForNordoffRobbins https://t.co/yt5APxGrNs @HipgnosisSongs @LSEplc @openexc @YourSSE pic.twitter.com/Rqmq6Po9M0

— Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy (@NordoffRobbins1) December 10, 2020

The list of performers for the virtual concert includes Cliff Richard; Rod Stewart; Robbie Williams; Manic Street Preachers frontman James Dean Bradfield; Simple Minds; Neil Young; Tony Bennett; Kaiser Chiefs; Rebecca Ferguson; Freya Ridings; Jack Savoretti and soul songstress Mica Paris. There will also be appearances from Led Zeppelin troubadour Robert Plant, The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Coloradan pop-rockers OneRepublic.

The musical sets will be interspersed with traditional and topical Christmas readings from British stars of stage and screen. Speakers will include Bill Nighy; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Rebecca star Lily James; actor, playwright and singer Kwame Kwei-Armah; Olivier Award winner Noma Dumezweni; and Freddie Fox.

Nordoff Robbins – founded in 1959 by Handsworth-born special education teacher Clive Robbins and American composer and pianist Paul Nordoff – helps provide therapy to music to those affected by life-limiting illness, isolation or disability. The charity works with  over 270 organisations across the UK; including schools, care homes, hospitals, mental health units, hospices, and neuro-rehab centres.

Previewing the gig this week, the charity’s Instagram page states: “Nordoff Robbins has been severely impacted by #COVID-19. Most of our fundraising activities have been cancelled, meaning we are expecting to lose over 50% of our income in 2020, putting music therapy at risk of stopping for the people who need it most. Our #SingForNordoffRobbins online Christmas concert will help raise vital funds for our music therapy.”

Host Nile Rodgers, the guitar behemoth behind the iconic sound of Chic and Sister Sledge, t0ld Music Week that he had a personal connection with the charity. He said “Nordoff Robbins music therapy is a charity close to my heart as I’ve witnessed the power of music first hand. I’ve seen how music connects with people all over the world in a way that nothing else can so when I heard that Nordoff Robbins were taking their annual carol service online, I jumped at the chance to host the event and to bring along some of my closest musical friends to help spread some Christmas cheer.”

The veteran hit-maker added “I know how hard this year has been for everyone, in particular charities. Because of the pandemic, Nordoff Robbins are expecting to lose much of their fundraising income. This means they are able to help less people, including children with autism who rely on music therapy for a sense of connection or those affected by life-limiting illnesses or disability – even though their services are needed now more than ever.“