The ‘Take Me Out’ singers will join Belle & Sebastian at the Save the Children concert in Glasgow
Franz Ferdinand have been added to Scotland’s star studded refugee benefit concert which takes place next week.
The Scottish rock band will join indie favourites Belle & Sebastian as headline acts at the Save the Children benefit gig at the Clyde Auditorium on Monday (2 November).
The two bands will feature alongside Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, Mogwai, Young Fathers and comedian Josie Long, with all profits from the show going to support Save the Children’s Child Refugee Crisis Appeal.
We’re blown away by this line up. The ticket price will go straight to our child refugee crisis appeal
Belle & Sebastian
In addition to the main show, it has also been announced that Optimo will play at a separate after-show party at Clyde Built Bar to raise further funds for the appeal, while the artist Dave Shrigley will contribute a special artwork for the occasion, available for sale in the shape of various merchandise at the show.
The concert came about after Belle & Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch contacted the charity to ask how the band could help after seeing the images of Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian refugee whose body was found on a beach in Turkey.
All the acts, promoters and the venue – which holds 3,000 people – have offered their services for free meaning the money from tickets, priced from £22-45, will go to Save the Children's refugee appeal.
Speaking ahead of the gig Franz Ferdinand’s lead singer Alex Kapranos said he was “very happy to be part of this special night: playing with people we love, for something we care about.”
Neil Mathers, Save the Children’s head of Scotland, added: “We’re blown away by this line up. The ticket price will go straight to our child refugee crisis appeal, so we can help some of the most desperate families in the world flee war and start a better life for their children.
“A crisis like this truly demonstrates just how amazing people are and we’ve been overwhelmed by the compassion that Scots have shown. We’re so excited about this amazing gig, it’s going to be a fantastic night - get your tickets!”
Save the Children currently has people working, helping child refugees, in countries such Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Europe - including at Calais and Kent where a number of unaccompanied under 18s are arriving.
A bucket collection and text to donate number will be available on the night meaning the charity could be set to benefit from around £100,000.
The Clyde Auditorium show and Clyde Built Bar after-party are on general sale now. Tickets are available from gigsinscotland.com or 0844 999 990. Tickets for the Optimo-featuring Aftershow Party at Clyde Built Bar are available from Ticketmaster.
