Coronavirus: Liam Gallagher, Fatboy Slim, Rick Astley – the free gigs planned for NHS staff
Written by News on 17/04/2020
As the UK continues to clap for our NHS staff and key workers each week, music stars are also doing their bit to show their gratitude.
Singers from Liam Gallagher to Rick Astley have all announced free gigs for NHS staff once the coronavirus lockdown is over.
Here are all the free gigs planned so far for those on the COVID-19 frontline, scheduled to take place from October 2020.
Liam Gallagher – O2 Arena in London, Thursday 29 October 2020
“It’s an honour to announce that I will be doing a gig for the NHS and careworkers… They do an incredible job, we are very lucky to have them. LG x”
Tickets for this event, with Primal Scream set to support, were made available on 15 April and have already all been snapped up.
Gallagher is doing lots of things to support the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic, with his tour manager Ben Pomphrett organising the Help Our NHS project to donate much-needed items to healthcare staff and raise funds.
The star has also called for an Oasis reunion in aid of the NHS.
Keep an eye on Gallagher’s Twitter page for any updates.
Rick Astley – Manchester Arena, Wednesday 28 October, and Wembley Arena, Sunday 1 November 2020
“Our NHS and emergency services are amazing. This concert is a thank you to all those fantastic front-line staff. I promise my band and I will give it everything to give you a great night out.”
After announcing the Manchester gig, Astley then confirmed a second show in London due to high demand.
Tickets for both have already gone. Best to keep an eye on the star’s Twitter page for any updates.
Fatboy Slim – “I have to praise you like I should”, The Brighton Centre, Wednesday 28 October 2020
“By the time life returns to normal we will all want to celebrate together and, I would like to do my bit to reward and thank everyone who has been holding our lives together in these most difficult of times. So I extend an invitation to all NHS doctors, nurses, support workers, porters and cleaners plus all blue light staff, ambulance, police and fire service (and importantly to their plus ones) to let their hair down with me and dance off the cobwebs to rejoice in the end of this emergency.”
Applications for tickets will be open from 7pm on Friday 17 April.
Call The Brighton Centre box office on 0844 8471515 or visit www.brightoncentre.co.uk
Manic Street Preachers – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, Friday 4 and Saturday 5 December 2020
“We wanted to do something to show our appreciation, love and respect for the NHS and its amazing brave workers. One free show and one fundraising show seemed the best way for us to express our deep gratitude for all their heroic work.”
The band have announced two arena shows in aid of the NHS later this year – one free for workers and the other to raise funds.
Tickets for both shows have all been allocated but you can follow the Manics on Twitter for any updates.
Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena, Tuesday 13 October, and Wembley Arena, Thursday 15 October 2020
“The coronavirus pandemic should remind everyone, and let no one forget, that our National Health Service is the most brilliant and significant institution in our lives. The men and women who serve us and care for us, give us hope and sacrifice their own wellbeing, can never be thanked enough.
“We are just musicians, so there is little we can do but sing for you. By way of appreciation, we announce the following gig for all frontline NHS staff. From the porters, the cleaners and the drivers, to the doctors and the nurses; thank you.”
Heaton and Abbott, formerly of The Beautiful South, first announced a Nottingham show and then the gig at Wembley.
Tickets for Nottingham have all been allocated, but some tickets for Wembley might still be available here if you’re quick.
The Script – Dublin 3 Arena, Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February 2021
“This message is going out to all nurses, doctors, anybody working for the HSE and the NHS up and down the length and breadth of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. To show our appreciation of how hard you guys have been working over these past few weeks, and will continue over the next few months, all we can do to say thank you is to put on a free concert…
“Everybody’s welcome. And we’d love to say thank you so much on behalf of The Script, our family, our friends and the nation. A big thank you. We love you and we’ll see you soon.”
The band announced a second gig after a huge response to the first, but said tickets for both shows were allocated within 30 minutes of being made available.
Keep an eye on their Twitter page for any potential updates.
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Liam Gallagher, Fatboy Slim, Rick Astley – the free gigs planned for NHS staff
