The BBC has announced plans for the biggest ever Live Lounge performance, with more than 20 artists taking part in recording a version of Foo Fighters' 'Times Like These'.
Dubbed the Stay Home Live Lounge, the recording will be premiered simultaneously on Radio 1, Radio 2, 1Xtra, 6Music and the Asian Network at midday this Thursday. A video version will then air later the same day on BBC One's 'Big Night In', a charity fundraiser taking place on Thursday evening in aid of Comic Relief and Children In Need. The record will also be released in aid of those charities.
The artists involved have all recorded their parts for the record and its video at home while on COVID-19 lockdown. Produced by Fraser T Smith, the artists on the track are: AJ Tracey, Anne-Marie, Bastille, Biffy Clyro, Celeste, Chris Martin, Dermot Kennedy, Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding, Five Seconds of Summer, Grace Carter, Hailee Steinfeld, Jess Glynne, Mabel, Paloma Faith, Rag N Bone Man, Rita Ora, Royal Blood, Sam Fender, Sean Paul, Sigrid, Yungblud and Zara Larsson.
"It's humbling to have been asked to produce this amazing single, taking the Foo Fighters' classic 'Times Like These', with the Radio 1 Live Lounge team and the incredible collective of artists who have come together to record whilst in isolation", says Smith.
"Our vision was to create a stay at home version using phones, pots, pans and acoustic guitars that would honour the brilliance and honesty of the artists and song, rather than the trickery of an expensive recording studio", he adds. "We tried to make this single in a totally different way artistically, relevant to today. The lyrics particularly resonate with us all at this challenging time, and I sincerely hope that money raised can help the plight of the unified battle against COVID-19 around the world".
Proceeds from sales and downloads of the recording that occur in the UK will be split 50/50 between Children In Need and Comic Relief. International net profits will be donated to the WHO's COVID-19-Solidarity Response Fund.