Arcade Fire announce last-minute Ukraine benefit show in New Orleans

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter“Navalny,” a fly-on-the-wall documentary about Russian dissident and one-time presidential candidate Alexei Navalny, was intended to debut directly on HBO Max. But since the harrowing story has renewed timeliness amid Russia’s recent unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Warner Bros.

Arcade Fire‘s four-night run of intimate, surprise New York shows raised more than $100,000 for the PLUS1 Ukraine Relief Fund.The Canadian rock band’s unexpected gigs, which took place last week from March 18 – March 21 at New York City’s 575-capacity Bowery Ballroom, were signalled via flyers and social media posts only a few short hours before taking place.

Arcade Fire are set to perform a special livestream show in New Orleans, Louisiana this Friday (April 1).The Canadian band, who recently returned with the single ‘The Lightning I, II’, will play a live set as part of a “block party” event hosted by the US phone company AT&T.Per an official listing, fans will be able to “experience Arcade Fire from every angle with real-time, multi-camera views” via “the power of AT&T 5G”. Support comes from King Princess and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.Win Butler and co.

Antytila have spoken to NME from the frontline of Kyiv, ahead of tonight’s benefit show for the war-torn country.Announced last week, the two-hour Concert For Ukraine will take place in Birmingham tonight (March 29) in aid of the Disasters Emergency Committee‘s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The concert will be televised on ITV and will see performances from the likes of Manic Street Preachers, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Paloma Faith, Camila Cabello, Becky Hill, Anne Marie and Ed Sheeran.Sheeran in particular made headlines when one of Ukraine’s most popular bands, Antytila, posted a plea to the singer-songwriter to allow them to play the concert remotely from the frontline of Kyiv, where they are defending the capital against Russian invaders.Sheeran later responded by saying that “I love you, I stand with you” to all Ukrainians and that he “couldn’t wait” to check the band’s music out.

Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment WriterThe Academy Award telecast will acknowledge “the people of Ukraine,” producer Will Packer told Variety on the Oscars red carpet on Sunday.Packer was answering a question about whether Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will appear on the show, something co-host Amy Schumer said she’d advocated to happen.

Jonathan Cohen Arcade Fire raised more than $100,000 for PLUS1’s Ukraine Relief Fund through five surprise club shows — one in New Orleans and four in New York — in the course of a week, the group announced on Instagram.A post shared by Arcade Fire (@arcadefire)Wristbands for the gigs at New Orleans’ Toulouse Theatre (March 14) and New York’s Bowery Ballroom (March 18-21) were distributed at random locations throughout both cities, and fans were invited to pay whatever they could afford for entry. They represented Arcade Fire’s first full live shows since February 2020, ahead of the May 6 release of their new Columbia album, “We.”At them, the group debuted five songs from the album, including the two-part first single “The Lightning,” “Age of Anxiety I” and its companion “Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)” and “Unconditional I (Lookout Kid).”The group’s first show in New York culminated with the entire band and much of the audience marching out onto Delancey Street in front of the Bowery Ballroom, singing the final song of the set — and the song that introduced them to most of the world — “Wake Up,” the opening track from their 2004 debut album, “Funeral.” Arcade Fire brought arena spectacle to their surprise Bowery Ballroom show on Friday night that spilled out onto the street and into the subway.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy opened up about why he is back in Europe after fleeing the continent when Russia began its invasion of his homeland Ukraine. The Dancing with the Stars pro, 42, revealed to Good Morning America on Wednesday (March 23) that he is now stationed in Poland to assist refugees of the horrific war after being overcome with guilt for escaping and not staying to help. “I feel guilty. I feel bad. I feel shame. I feel upset,” Maksim explained on the morning show.

Arcade Fire and David Byrne covered Plastic Ono Band‘s protest song ‘Give Peace A Chance’ at the final night of four Ukraine benefit gigs in New York City.The Canadian band were joined by the legendary soloist and former Talking Heads frontman for the rendition of John Lennon and Plastic Ono Band’s 1969 single last night (March 21) at Bowery Ballroom.The performance wrapped Arcade Fire’s stint at the NYC venue that has raised money for the Plus1 Ukraine Relief Fund. Initially, the band announced a last-minute show at the Ballroom on Friday (March 18), saying that attendees could pay what they could afford.But more spontaneous pay-what-you-feel shows followed over the weekend into last night’s gig, at which Byrne made a special appearance as well as actor Mike Myers.A post shared by instatam (@tammietam)Myers made a political speech ahead of the encore, which saw Arcade Fire play ‘Wake Up’ and the unreleased ‘Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)’ from their forthcoming album ‘WE‘.“You can have the government you want, but once you lose democracy, you are fucked.

LL Cool J, the host of the iHeartRadio Music Awards, took time to send love to Ukraine amid the show Tuesday night. "Before we continue, I want to send love and support to the people of Ukraine," LL Cool J said following the announcement of the first two sets of awards. "Our prayers are with the innocent people who have lost their lives as the result of this terrible war and with the Ukrainian citizens.They are all living through this crisis every day and I think it's very important that we send our prayers and our love to them and let them know that we stand with them.

Arcade Fire have announced a last minute concert in New York tonight (March 18) to help victims in Ukraine.The band took to Instagram today to confirm they are playing a benefit show at the Bowery Ballroom – watch the announcement clip below.In the post, frontman Win Butler and band member Richard Reed Parry can be seen stapling posters for the show on a message board.“Hey New York, we’re gonna play a show tonight, if you guys wanna come,” says frontman Win Butler. “It’s a benefit gig for Ukraine at the Bowery Ballroom.”A post shared by Arcade Fire (@arcadefire)A caption on the clip also says “pay what u can” but no further information on how to purchase the tickets has been posted.It comes after the band played a benefit concert for Ukraine in New Orleans earlier this week.That show saw Arcade Fire play a number of new tracks including their single ‘The Lightning, I, II’, ‘Age of Anxiety’, and ‘Rabbit Hole’.All proceeds from that “pay-what-you-can” gig went to benefit the Plus1 Ukraine relief fund, which is supporting Ukrainian people through non-profits providing humanitarian aid as Russia’s invasion of the country continues.Meanwhile, the band unveiled details of their new album ‘WE’ yesterday (March 17).Speaking about their sixth studio LP, Butler said creating it was “the longest we’ve ever spent writing, uninterrupted, probably ever.”Described as a “concise 40 minute epic” in a statement, it contains seven songs and is “as much about the forces that threaten to pull us away from the people we love, as it is inspired by the urgent need to overcome them”, according to a press release.

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have raised more than their $30 million goal for Ukraine. By Thursday, the celebrity couple's fundraiser had garnered $34 million from over 67,000 donations. Kutcher and Kunis celebrated the news in a video shared to social media and revealed they have raised the fundraising goal to $40 million.

Arcade Fire song has emerged on YouTube – watch ‘Rabbit Hole’ below.It’s come from their last-minute Ukraine benefit concert in New Orleans earlier this week (March 14), where the band also performed two other unreleased tracks.Taking place at Toulouse Theatre, all proceeds from the “pay-what-you-can” gig went to benefit the Plus1 Ukraine relief fund, which is supporting Ukrainian people through non-profits providing humanitarian aid as Russia’s invasion of the country continues.The gig was live-streamed via TikTok and Instagram, and snippets from that recording sees the band performing ‘Lightning I, II’, a song they recently revealed would be released this Thursday (March 17).The band also performed a second unreleased track, ‘Age Of Anxiety’. The song borrows elements from ‘Memories Of The Age of Anxiety’, a 45-minute instrumental ambient track they released for a meditation app last year.

Concert For Ukraine is due to air on Tuesday, March 29 in aid of the Disasters Emergency Committee‘s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.Additionally, all sponsorship and advertising revenue generated from the broadcast of the event – which is expected to raise over £3million – will be donated by ITV to the DEC fund.Per a press release, the concert will “bring together names from the world of music for a unique event spreading a message of hope and support” with those caught up in the conflict.A line-up of participating artists and presenters is expected to be revealed in the coming days.

Massive Attack have announced plans to sell off new artwork to help victims of the Ukraine conflict.The two prints, which you can view below, are both signed by Robert “3D” Del Naja and come with 10 randomly selected hand-finished editions.Both prints are available until March 22 and are priced at £150 plus VAT, with all proceeds going to the Disasters Emergency Committee‘s (DEC) Ukrainian humanitarian appeal.The two pieces can be purchased here.A post shared by Robert Del Naja (@robert3delnaja)A post shared by Robert Del Naja (@robert3delnaja)Del Naja has been vocal about his support for victims of the Ukraine conflict, with the artist recently criticising the government’s response to the growing number of refugees after he posted several photos of the Ukrainian flag on his Instagram page.“DON’T WAVE FLAGS / WAVE VISAS,” he wrote.

The Subways, Andy Bell and more.‘A Night For Ukraine’ will take place at the west London venue next Friday (March 25), with 100 per cent of profits going towards the Disasters Emergency Committee‘s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.Bell (Ride, Oasis) will take to the stage alongside Subways frontman Billy Lunn, Sleeper (acoustic), Get Cape. Wear Cape.

Arcade Fire‘s last-minute Ukraine benefit concert in New Orleans last night (March 14), showing the band performing two unreleased tracks.Taking place at Toulouse Theatre, all proceeds from the “pay-what-you-can” gig will benefit the Plus1 Ukraine relief fund, which is supporting Ukrainian people through non-profits providing humanitarian aid as Russia’s invasion of the country continues.The gig was live-streamed via TikTok and Instagram, and snippets from that recording sees the band performing ‘Lightning I, II’, a song they recently revealed would be released this Thursday (March 17).The band also performed a second unreleased track, ‘Age of Anxiety’. The song borrows elements from ‘Memories of the Age of Anxiety’, a 45-minute instrumental ambient track they released for a meditation app last year.

Arcade Fire have confirmed that they will make their comeback with new single ‘The Lightning I, II’ this week (March 17).The Canadian band last released an album in 2017 with ‘Everything Now’, and have since shared 45-minute track ‘Memories Of The Age of Anxiety’ for a meditation app in 2021, and released a live version of political cut ‘Generation A’ in late 2020.Over the past few weeks, the band have been teasing their return. Earlier this month, a brief snippet of new music appeared on the contact page of the group’s official website.

Chris Willman Music WriterAs bombs continue to pummel Ukraine, musicians gathered in New York Thursday night to protest Russia’s war against the nation and raise funds for its defense. The Benefit for Ukraine at New York’s City Winery assembled a lineup of mostly local rock legends who “stand with Ukraine in the battle for its democracy and freedom.”The show was put together by headliner Gogol Bordello, New York’s beloved Slavic punk rock band, fronted by charismatic singer/guitarist Eugene Hütz.

Yegor Gordeev is host of Ukrainian TV morning show “Breaking with 1+1”, which has continued to broadcast from Kyiv as Russian forces assault the city.