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Artists announce free shows for NHS workers

JLS, Fatboy Slim and more will be performing very special shows.

A number of artists have announced free live performances to acknowledge and offer thanks for the vital work undertaken by NHS frontline staff.

The shows see some of the nation’s biggest artists from music and comedy take to stages across the UK, including internationally renowned DJ Fatboy Slim performing a hometown show, Love Island voiceover extraordinaire Iain Stirling taking to London’s Alexandra Palace Theatre, Welsh stalwarts Manic Street Preachersp performing at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena and pop veteran Rick Astley headlining Manchester Arena and London’s SSE Arena Wembley.


Mo Gilligan

Gearing up for his new live Channel 4 show, All Star Happy Hour, to be broadcast live from his own home, comedian Mo Gilligan has confirmed a very special headline performance at London’s Eventim Apollo, free of charge for frontline NHS staff and key workers.

The Royal Television Society winner, BAFTA and double-NTA nominee will take to the capital on 14 November 2020, promising a jam-packed, high energy show.

Mo Gilligan Stand-up | Every Family In A Nutshell | Mo Gilligan: Momentum

Mo Gilligan will perform on the following date:

14 November 2020 – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, London


Iain Stirling

Love Island and Taskmaster regular Iain Stirling has added a very special matinee show to his already announced UK tour, offering a free event to NHS workers on Sunday 22 November 2020 at London’s Alexandra Palace Theatre.

The run of dates, including the free show for frontline NHS workers, follows his acclaimed U OK HUN? x tour and see Stirling delve into just how other people manage to appear normal.

Iain Stirling Hates All Of His Friends | Stand Up Central

Iain Stirling will perform on the following date:

22 November 2020 – Alexandra Palace Theatre, London

[Find tickets]

Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott

The duo, originally celebrating success as part of The Beautiful South, will be performing a two very special free shows for NHS workers, taking to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on 13 October 2020 and Sheffield City Hall on Wednesday 28 October 2020.

The pair released their fourth studio album, Manchester Calling, at the start of March 2020, having first revealed the collaborative project with 2014’s What Have We Become?.

Paul Heaton, Jacqui Abbott - You And Me (Were Meant To Be Together)

Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott will perform on the following date:

13 October 2020 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
28 October 2020 – City Hall, Sheffield


JLS

British four-piece JLS have confirmed a matinee show for NHS and frontline staff at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena on Saturday 28 November 2020. Comprising Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, Marvin Humes and JB Gill, JLS reformed towards the end of 2019, preparing for their comeback tour in November and December 2020.

The band – famed for hits such as Beat Again and She Makes Me Wanna – will now perform two shows on Saturday 28 November, one for NHS staff in the afternoon (doors open at 13:00), and their previously confirmed evening show.

JLS will perform on the following date:

28 November 2020 – Resorts World Arena, Birmingham (matinee)


Fatboy Slim

The renowned DJ and producer – real name Norman Cook – will be hosting a very special hometown show at the Brighton Centre on Wednesday 28 October, available for free to NHS and auxiliary staff working in NHS hospitals across the country, as well as emergency workers including the ambulance, police and fire services.

Cook became a household name when his second album under the Fatboy Slim moniker dropped in 1998, including breakthrough single The Rockafeller Skank and hits Praise You, Gangster Trippin and Right Here Right Now. Fatboy Slim went on to release a total of four studio albums, and remains a mainstay at electronic events across the globe.

Fatboy Slim - Right Here, Right Now [Official 4K Video]

Fatboy Slim will perform on the following date:

28 October 2020 – Brighton Centre, Brighton

[Find tickets]

Liam Gallagher

Releasing his second solo studio album, Why Me? Why Not., last year, Liam Gallagher as announced a very special show at London’s The O2, for for all NHS staff working in hospitals across the country. “It’s an honour to announce that I will be doing a gig for the NHS and careworkers at London’s The O2 on 29 October,” Gallagher says. “They do an incredible job, we are very lucky to have them.”

Liam Gallagher rose to fame as a founding member of Britpop pioneers Oasis before forming Beady Eye, then launching his solo career in 2017 with his debut solo album As You Were. At the start of 2020 he released an Acoustic Sessions EP, and is now gearing up for the unveiling of his full MTV Unplugged performance.

Liam Gallagher - Gone (MTV Unplugged)

Liam Gallagher will perform on the following date:

29 October 2020 – The O2, London


Manic Street Preachers

With thirteen studio albums to their name and headline slots at Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds Festival, and V Festival cementing their illustrious live career, Welsh heroes Manic Street Preachers will be taking to Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena for two very special shows. The first will offer NHS workers to chance to catch the band free of charge, while the second will be open to the public, raising funds for the National Health Service charities.

The band, comprising James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore, most recently released Resistance Is Futile in 2018, as well as a 20th anniversary edition of This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours, including the hit singles If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next and You Stole The Sun From My Heart.

Manic Street Preachers - If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next

Manic Street Preachers will perform on the following dates:

4 December 2020 – Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff (A free concert for NHS workers)
5 December 2020 – Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff (A public concert with all profits to NHS charities)

[Find tickets]


Rick Astley

Famed for the timeless classic Never Gonna Give You Up, part of a lengthy career spanning eight studio albums, Rick Astley will perform two free shows – one at Manchester Arena and one at London’s SSE Arena, Wembley.

Astley most recently released his Beautiful Life LP, which peaked at No.6 on the official UK album chart, and follows his Platinum selling 50.

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Music Video)

Rick Astley will perform on the following dates:

28 October 2020 – Manchester Arena, Manchester [Find tickets]
1 November 2020 – SSE Arena Wembley, London


Del Amitri

Scottish rockers Del Amitri will be taking to Glasgow’s Barrowland for a very special free performance for NHS hospital staff. The band broke through in 1989 with their sophomore album Waking Hours, including single Nothing Ever Happens.

In 1995 they broke into the top 10 on the stateside Billboard chart with single Roll To Me, taken from their Gold certified album Twisted.

Del Amitri - Nothing Ever Happens (Official Video)

Del Amitri will perform on the following date:

9 December 2020 – Barrowland, Glasgow

[Find tickets]


To ensure tickets are allocated to NHS workers, the lead booker will be asked to provide official ID and/or confirmation of employment upon arrival at the venue. Please do read the ticket information and restrictions carefully to avoid disappointment.


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