A SPECTACULAR Live Aid-style benefit gig is to be held to help victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Greats including U2, The Rolling Stones, The Killers, and Pink have been asked to perform at Wembley on June 24 in support of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Getty Images – GettyThe Live Aid-style benefit gig is to be held to help victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is set to include Pink[/caption]
ReutersMusical greats including U2 could perform at Wembley on June 24 in support of President Zelensky[/caption]
EPAPresident Volodymyr Zelensky with Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament[/caption]
AP:Associated PressThe 72,000-strong crowd at Wembley Stadium for the Live Aid famine relief concert in 1985[/caption]
A source said: “It will be huge.”
A globally televised benefit gig for Ukraine with some of music’s biggest names will pile the pressure on Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin.
Other stars including Sir Paul McCartney, Adele, Florence And The Machine and Noel Gallagher are also likely to be approached for the Live Aid-style event, to be shown around the world.
A source said: “It’s going to be huge, properly A-list and on a global scale.
“It’s something people have wanted to do for a while but a date has now been nailed down and booked at Wembley Stadium. Invitations to perform are going out thick and fast to the biggest names in the business.
“Of course, there is an awareness that at relatively short notice many superstars will have prior commitments.
“But they’re optimistic that a number of those they’ve spoken to are already on board.
“For bands like U2 and Bono, who are pretty outspoken about their views on war and conflict, it feels like a great opportunity to keep hammering home the severity of the situation out in Ukraine.
“An event of this size can put real political pressure on the Russians, too.
“The only slight downside is that the date clashes with Glastonbury so that rules out some big names but the final line-up is certain to be pretty special.”
The event will follow the “template” of Live Aid, held at the same venue to raise cash for Ethiopian famine victims in 1985.
An indoor gig for Ukraine was staged last March by ITV and Livewire Pictures, one of the planners behind the Wembley event.
Stars including Ed Sheeran and Billie Eilish helped raise more than £13million.
Livewire also helped plan 2017’s One Love Manchester gig, raising £17million for the Arena bombing victims.
Last month marked a year since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Putin is facing growing opposition as his missiles rain down on cities including Kyiv and Lviv.
US singer Pink has been invited to performGettyAFPU2’s Bono and The Edge, who have been invited to play, visit the Ukrainian town of Irpin[/caption]
Getty – ContributorThe Killers have also been asked to join the line-up for the gig[/caption]
AFPThe Rolling Stones have been asked to appear[/caption]
Other top stars are being considered, including Florence and the MachineGettyGettyEx-Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher is likely to be approached for the event[/caption]
The Mega AgencyAdele may make an appearance at the gig[/caption]
GettySir Paul McCartney is also being considered for the mega concert[/caption]
APPutin is facing growing opposition as his missiles rain down on cities including Kyiv and Lviv[/caption]
AlamyScenes from Live Aid – the original 1985 fundraiser for famine-hit Ethiopia[/caption]
