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Sofar Sounds launches global gigs programme with Amnesty for World Refugee Day
By Chris Cooke | Published on Thursday 22 June 2017
Amnesty International announced a tie up with Sofar Sounds earlier this week that will see a thousand musicians perform in 300 homes in 60 countries on World Refugee Day on 20 Sep, with a view to raising awareness of the ever worsening refugee crisis, and funds to support initiatives helping those forced to flee their homes.
Jessie Ware, Jack Garratt, Kate Tempest, Billy Bragg, Oh Wonder, The National, KT Tunstall, Lianne La Havas, Zero 7 and Wild Beasts are among those due to play as part of the massive of day of intimate Sofar Sounds gigs, which are taking place under the banner Give A Home. The shows will also bring together refugees and local communities, and activists will speak alongside the musical performances. Vice and Facebook are set to promote and live stream the proceedings.
Confirming the venture, Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said: “With more than 21 million people forced to flee their home country, the world refugee crisis is one of the defining issues of our era. How we respond to it now will shape who we are for generations to come. This is our moment to defend the things that unite us and refuse to let fear and prejudice win”.
He continued: “Music and art have always been powerful partners to the cause of justice because they share an ability to stir something deep within us. They help us to look beyond borders and see what unites us. That is why this World Refugee Day we are announcing the Give A Home concerts. The shows will be an opportunity to reflect on our shared humanity and strengthen our resolve to tackle this unprecedented humanitarian challenge”.
Also commenting on the project, Sofar Sounds co-CEO Rafe Offer added: “Give A Home aligns Amnesty International and Sofar’s vision of a global community united by the things that really matter, in the same way that Sofar unites thousands of people all around the world every day through a shared love of music. On World Refugee Day, the global music community will come together like never before to celebrate a more hopeful narrative, one that champions and celebrates the fundamental equality and dignity of all human beings”.
