In a heartwarming move, the iconic British rock band Arctic Monkeys has released a brand-new single, “Opening Night,” with all proceeds going towards the charity War Child. This charitable endeavour is part of a star-studded compilation album, HELP(2), a sequel to the groundbreaking 1995 album “Help,” which raised £1.2 million for children affected by conflict.
The new compilation, set to be released on 6 March, boasts an impressive lineup of both established and up-and-coming musical talents. Alongside Arctic Monkeys, the album features contributions from acclaimed artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Depeche Mode, Pulp, and a host of other renowned acts, including Portishead’s Beth Gibbons and Blur’s Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon.
In a statement, Arctic Monkeys expressed their pride in supporting the “invaluable work War Child do” and their hope that the record will make a positive difference in the lives of children affected by war. The band’s long-time producer, James Ford, who has overseen the production of all but one of their albums, shared his enthusiasm for the project, noting that the original “Help” compilation had a profound impact on him and that the current global situation made the opportunity to galvanize the music community into a “unarguably positive” endeavour a “no-brainer.”
The decision to release this charitable single comes at a critical time, as War Child estimates that the number of children affected by war globally has jumped from one in ten when the 1995 compilation was released to a staggering one in five today, around 520 million children. The project also features the contributions of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, who worked with children in war zones across Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, and Sudan to create their own films, as well as recruiting children in the UK to document the making of the album.
As the Arctic Monkeys celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album, this charitable initiative serves as a powerful reminder of the band’s commitment to using their platform to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by the devastating consequences of war. With the release of “Opening Night” and the HELP(2) compilation, the music community once again comes together to uplift and support the most vulnerable members of society.
