Together for Palestine

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Together For Palestine
Wembley Arena.jpg
Wembley Arena in February 2007
Location Wembley, Greater London, England
Venue Wembley Arena
Date(s)17 September 2025 (2025-09-17)
Attendance12,500
Website Official website

Together for Palestine was a benefit concert that took place on 17 September 2025 at Wembley Arena in Wembley, England. The fundraiser was organized by British artist Brian Eno. The event aimed to raise funds and awareness for Palestinian civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with all proceeds from ticket sales, merchandise, and donations going to Palestinian-led organizations. The funds were distributed through the UK-based charity Choose Love, which works with partner groups on the ground, including the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), and Taawon. [1]

Contents

According to organizers, the concert was also intended as a cultural statement, with Eno stating that "in the face of the horrors of Gaza, silence becomes complicity." [2] The event sought to highlight Palestinian art and culture, featuring a stage design by Es Devlin in collaboration with Gazan painter Malak Mattar, and showcasing the work of other Palestinian visual artists. The show was produced by Eno, film producer Tracey Seaward, actor Khalid Abdalla, and London-Palestine Film Festival founder Khaled Ziada. [3]

The concert featured performances and speeches by over 70 artists, actors, activists, and cultural figures, drawing an audience of approximately 12,500 people and livestreaming to over 200,000 viewers worldwide. [4] [5]

Organization

British artist Brian Eno was the concert's lead organizer. [6] He described the 1988 Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert, also held at Wembley Arena, as an inspiration for the concert. [7] Eno stated that the concert had taken a year long to plan. [8]

Fundraising

Funds raised by the concert will be distributed by Choose Love to organizations including Taawon, Palestine Children's Relief Fund and Palestine Medical Relief Service. [4] Tickets for the 12,500-capacity event sold out within hours, with an official online stream also made available, with reports of over 200.000 viewers. [5] By the end of the night, it was announced that just under £1.5 million ($2 million) had been raised. [9]

Challenges

The concert faced a series of logistical and reputational challenges, according to CNN’s report. Organizer Eno wrote that simply mentioning “Palestine” led venues to refuse bookings, making it difficult to secure a site until Wembley ultimately agreed. Similar hesitation extended to distribution: YouTube only “finally consented” to stream the event, and Eno indicated there was an inflection point when artists agreed to appear, suggesting earlier reluctance amid political sensitivities. [8]

Guests

The four-hour event combined live music, speeches, poetry readings, and pre-recorded messages. Performers included Bastille, James Blake, Paloma Faith, Jamie xx, and PinkPantheress, alongside Palestinian artists such as Sama’ Abdulhadi, Saint Levant, and Elyanna. Notable speakers included actors Florence Pugh, Nicola Coughlan, and Benedict Cumberbatch, as well as broadcaster Mehdi Hasan, footballer Eric Cantona, and UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese. Several speakers emphasized the urgency of the humanitarian crisis and criticized celebrity silence about the war. [4] [10]

The production also foregrounded Palestinian art and literature. The set featured works by eight Palestinian artists reported killed during the conflict. Brian Eno read the poem “Oh rascal children of Gaza” by Palestinian writer Khaled Juma. [11] [8]

The following guests and artists has made appearance and performed at the show: [12]

Performers

Appearances

Reception

The London Standard gave the concert 4 out of 5 stars, particularly praising the performance of Palestinian artists and noting "in a situation that has felt increasingly irredeemable, Together For Palestine provided a vital beacon of hope." [14]

Shaad D'Souza of Pitchfork wrote that unlike other benefit concerts, "no attempts were made to act like we are not living in desolate times." He described the concert as "bittersweet" yet hopeful, noting that protests have failed to change the United Kingdom's support for Israel during the war. [11]

NME praised the event as a powerful, well-orchestrated act of solidarity that “blended art, advocacy, and fundraising,” highlighting the nearly £1.5 million raised for Palestinian-led groups. The outlet emphasized moving performances from Palestinian artists alongside star turns by Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, and Yasiin Bey, and lauded speeches that kept focus on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. [15]

Ammar Kalia of The Guardian also highlighted "the breadth and depth of Palestinian artistry on display," emphasizing how the event centered on cultural expression. [16]

References

  1. Jenna, Tamara (13 September 2025). "Together For Palestine at OVO Arena Wembley: Everything You Need to Know So Far". TJPL News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  2. "Artists Unite for 'Together for Palestine' Concert in London". The Diplomatic Insight. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  3. "Brian Eno Announces Full Lineup for Palestine Benefit Concert Sep 17". Scene Noise. 10 August 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Smith, Thomas (18 September 2025). "PinkPantheress, Damon Albarn, Brian Eno & More Appear at Together For Palestine Benefit Concert Raising Over $2M". Billboard. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 Gillibrand, Peter (19 September 2025). "Together for Palestine fundraiser edges closer to £2m target". BBC. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  6. Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (8 August 2025). "Lineup announced for Palestine benefit concert at Wembley Arena, helmed by Brian Eno". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  7. Eno, Brian (17 September 2025). "Why I'm hosting a concert for Palestine at Wembley Arena". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Harvey, Lex; Tawfeeq, Mohammed; Humayun, Hira (17 September 2025). "Dozens of celebrities take stage in London for 'Together for Palestine' fundraiser". CNN. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  9. Minelle, Bethany (18 September 2025). "Together For Palestine: Star-studded concert at Wembley Arena raises £1.5m". Sky News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  10. Hann, Michael (18 September 2025). "Together for Palestine concert: Benedict Cumberbatch, Damon Albarn and Neneh Cherry take stage at galvanising and star-studded gig for Gaza". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  11. 1 2 D’Souza, Shaad (18 September 2025). "The Together for Palestine Concert Was Gutting but Necessary". Pitchfork. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  12. England, Adam (15 September 2025). "'Together For Palestine' announce livestream details and final names for huge Wembley gig". NME. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  13. 1 2 Breihan, Tom (18 September 2025). "Reunited Portishead Share "Roads" Performance From Together For Palestine". Stereogum . Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  14. "Together for Palestine concert review: 'this four-hour fundraiser was an incredible feat'". The London Standard . 18 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  15. Dunworth, Liberty (18 September 2025). "Here's what went down at 'Together For Palestine', with Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Richard Gere, Florence Pugh and more". NME. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  16. Kalia, Ammar; Levene, David (18 September 2025). "'If you don't make a stand now, when would you?': inside the Together for Palestine concert". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 19 September 2025.