LIVE FOR BEIRUT: A London live music event helped bring relief to the people of Beirut after the massive explosion.
During the evening of the twenty-fourth of September 2020, a charity show was played at the Jazz Café in Camden Town in order to raise much-needed funds for the people of Beirut, after the massive explosion that rocked the city two months ago.
In order to raise the most funds for the people of the Lebanese capital, LIVE FOR BEIRUT organiser decided that 100% of profits from the tickets would be donated to the Lebanese Red Cross which will provide an imperative assistance to sort out the damage of the disaster.
The LIVE FOR BEIRUT project is an idea from Ciara Haidar, a musician of Lebanese descent, who wanted to do something to help that was « more constructive than being one more broom on the ground in Beirut. » So the idea of an event came about. She took some advice from a good friend, Josie Naughton, who set up Choose Love who said “Ciara, you’re music. Do a music.”
She invited some of London’s best musicians who agreed to contribute to this charitable show. Haidar thinks that on the whole this kind of support, such as defending and supporting causes, from artists is positive and makes events like hers able to happen. She was really glad that « the venue and artists were all enthusiastic in coming on board and is still very grateful to everyone involved for getting behind it. »
On the fourth of August 2020, a massive explosion devastated the city of Beirut and caused almost 200 casualties. Nearly 6,500 people were injured and disaster’s damages left more than 300,000 people homeless. Around half of the city is in ruins and the cost of the damages is colossal. Lebanon is currently facing an important economic crisis as well, adding complications of the situation after the enormous explosion that destroyed the city.
BONUS : Haidar finally said : « Art in general is a powerful tool and, in my opinion, not only a reflection on the sociopolitical climate of the day but a way of questioning, challenging and ultimately healing society. Because music is such an inclusive and visceral art form, it’s particularly affective in this way. When approaching artists for LIVE FOR BEIRUT, to be honest I first looked to people I was a fan of and am lucky enough to know personally. But I think if you look at the line up, there is an authenticity to all of them that means their enthusiasm for supporting the situation in Beirut shone through. Both in their performances and promotion of the event in the lead up. The stripped back nature of the show meant the online and physical audience got a really intimate experience which really helped in terms of giving people a reason to donate. I’m just so thankful they gave up their time and talents to support the Lebanese Red Cross. »
If you want to donate for Beirut : www.redcross.org.lb
