Concert for Ukraine: 5 biggest talking points as more than £12m raised for charity

Musicians including Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello and Nile Rodgers helped raise millions for Ukrainian victims of Putin’s war

Ed Sheeran performs with Camilla Cabello at Ukraine charity concert

Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello and Nile Rodgers were among the artists who performed at Concert for Ukraine tonight (Tuesday 29 March).

The two-hour fundraising effort, held at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena, was set up with the aim of raising funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) humanitarian appeal.

Special guest appearances included Ukraine’s 2016 Eurovision champion Jamala, who gave a spine-tingling performance of her song “1984”, and a tribute to members of the press reporting on the conflict from broadcasting legend Trevor McDonald. There was also a message from Billie Eilish and her brother/songwriting partner Finneas O’Connell, who shared their support for those taking part in the event and urged viewers to donate.

Here are the biggest talking points from the concert.

Stellar lineup helps raise more than £12m for DEC’s humanitarian appeal

The full lineup at Concert for Ukraine consisted of Snow Patrol, Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Emeli Sande, Gregory Porter, Anne Marie, Paloma Faith, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Becky Hill, The Kingdom Choir, Manic Street Preachers, and Tom Odell.

Together with some special guests, these artists helped raise £12.2m (at the time of writing), which will go towards the DEC’s humanitarian appeal for Ukrainian refugees.

Trevor McDonald delivers a special tribute to members of the press

Early on in the concert, broadcasting legend Sir Trevor McDonald read a statement thanking the journalists, producers and camera crews risking their lives to report on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“We’re here tonight because of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine,” he began. “The reason we know so much about it is because of the daily reports we read in the press, see online and watch on our TV screens.

“Never in my lifetime did I ever think I’d see such scenes of destruction and despair. We see them right now because there are [people] all risking their lives to bring us uncensored accounts of what they see and hear.”

He continued: “This is never easy. It requires bravery. It requires fortitude. And sadly same of our colleagues have been injured, and some more sadly have lost their lives.”

McDonald concluded by paying tribute to “everyone working in Ukraine” to provide news and updates, “even in the most challenging of circumstances”.

Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello debut live performance of new single “Bam Bam”

Camila Cabello and Ed Sheeran perform during Concert for Ukraine (ITV)

“We’re all praying tonight for the peace and safety of the people of Ukraine,” Camila Cabello said, after a poignant rendition of Coldplay’s “Fix You”.

“Thank you so much for being part of this super important fundraiser and please donate anything you can.”

She then introduced Ed Sheeran for the first ever live performance of their 2022 duet, “Bam Bam”.

Rob Rinder delivers a special report

Robert Rinder, who last week travelled to the Ukraine border to help the grandparents of his Strictly Come Dancing partner Ukrainian star Oksana Platero, spoke with aid workers and refugees in the midst of the crisis.

“If you want to know where your money is going, just look behind me,” he said, gesturing at a hall filled with makeshift beds.

“Frightened kids. Blankets. Sleeping bags. This could be you. This is all of us.”

Manic Street Preachers perform protest song “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next”

Welsh rockers Manic Street Preachers delivered a searing rendition of their 1998 single “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next”. The track was inspired by the Spanish Civil War and the Welsh volunteers who travelled to fight with the Spanish Republic.

The lyrics include the verse: “Bullets for your brain today But we’ll forget it all again Monuments put from pen to paper Turns me into a gutless wonder.”

The performance followed a special message from US pop star Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas. Eilish apologised for not being able to be at the concert in person, but urged people to donate to the appeal and sent her support to the victims of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

The Independent has a proud history of campaigning for the rights of the most vulnerable, and we first ran our Refugees Welcome campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and launch this petition in the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we are calling on the government to go further and faster to ensure help is delivered.

To find out more about our Refugees Welcome campaign, click here. To sign the petition click here. If you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page.

The liveblog has now closed

Key Points

• Mel Giedroyc opens up about personal connection to refugee crisis
• Broadcaster Trevor McDonald pays tribute to journalists in Ukraine
• How to donate to the Concert for Ukraine humanitarian appeal
• Ukrainian Eurovision winner Jamala performs spine-tingling rendition of ‘1944’
• Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello perform together during Concert for Ukraine

[29 March 2022 21:53 · Roisin O'Connor]

Ed Sheeran performs with Camilla Cabello at Ukraine charity concert

[29 March 2022 22:02 · Roisin O'Connor]

Paloma Faith performs ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This'

Seemingly dressed as Cruella De Vil, Paloma Faith takes to the stage for a slightly off-piste rendition of her hit single, “Only Love Can Hurt Like This”.

Her performance was delayed by around 30 seconds, with host Emma Bunton seeming to stall for time.

After, the hosts announced that Concert for Ukraine has, so far, added £11m for the DEC’s humanitarian appeal, making a total of a staggering £253.7m