London: A major fundraising concert, Together for Palestine, drew a sold-out crowd of 12,500 at Ovo Arena Wembley, bringing together 69 artists, speakers, and activists. The event raised more than £1.5 million through ticket sales, donations, and merchandise.
The lineup mixed global stars with Palestinian voices. Damon Albarn, Bastille, Hot Chip, PinkPantheress, Florence Pugh, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Richard Gere appeared alongside Palestinian musicians like Adnan Joubran, Nai Barghouti, and rapper El Far3i. The artistic director was exiled Palestinian artist Malak Mattar, who left Gaza in October 2023 to study in London.
The concert echoed past political music events while adapting to modern fundraising. Merchandising designed by Ayham Hassan, Bella Freud, and others contributed significantly, with keffiyehs and T-shirts in high demand. Organizers noted the efficiency of combining online donations with arena-scale retail.
Inside the venue, the mood was spirited but not confrontational. Palestinian journalist Yara Eid received one of the loudest ovations after speaking about the 270 journalists killed in Gaza. Performances by Faraj Suleiman and Nai Barghouti also stood out. A surprise highlight came when Neneh Cherry joined Greentea Peng for her hit “Seven Seconds,” drawing huge cheers.
Some international celebrities kept their remarks cautious, while others, like Richard Gere, improvised personal messages. Despite a few walkouts late into the four-hour program, many attendees left with merchandise supporting the cause. By the close of the night, the event had secured significant financial support and visibility for Gaza.
