Paul Weller, Tim Minchin, Graham Coxon, Jo Brand and Ross Noble to Stand Up and Rock for Crisis
Paul Weller, Tim Minchin, Graham Coxon and Jo Brand will headline Stand Up and Rock: a music and comedy gig in aid of homelessness charity Crisis on Tuesday 20 December at the Hammersmith Apollo, London. The event will be hosted by Ross Noble.
Weller will be playing his full live set showcasing some of his most iconic songs from down the years right up to his acclaimed Wake Up the Nation album.
Stand Up and Rock comes as Crisis at Christmas marks its 40th anniversary. Since 1972 the charity has provided vital services for homeless and vulnerably housed people. All proceeds from the gig will go towards Crisis' life changing services at Crisis at Christmas and year-round in its Skylight centres across the country.
Joining the musicians and comedians on stage will be The Choir With No Name, an acclaimed choir made up of homeless people and others on the fringes of society, including clients of Crisis, who last performed for the charity alongside Coldplay in 2010.
Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: "We're really excited to have such an incredible array of stars signed up for Stand Up and Rock for our 40th anniversary. Crisis at Christmas has provided vital services for homeless and vulnerably housed people for 40 years. Whilst we should celebrate the lives helped and changed, it is a scandal that homelessness still exists and that we are still needed at all.
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 4 November at www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Both standing and seated tickets are available ranging from £39.50 to £75.00.
Paul Weller, who played a gig for Crisis in 2008, said: "It'll be good to get on stage for Crisis again. In hard times like these more and more people need their help so I'm happy to support Stand Up and Rock as Crisis at Christmas turns 40."
Tim Minchin said: "Stand Up and Rock for Crisis is going to be an amazing night. Such a unique mix of acts, and a huge milestone for this brilliant charity. Can't wait."
Graham Coxon, who has played in support of Crisis in 2008, said: "I am honoured to be supporting Crisis again, the work they do is so important and this is going to be a great night."
Jo Brand said: "Having volunteered for Crisis myself I know first hand the wonderful work this charity does. All the money raised by the gig will go towards Crisis' life-changing projects at Christmas and year round so I'm proud to be a part of Stand Up and Rock."
Ross Noble said: "Very excited to be hosting Stand Up and Rock - I'm a massive fan of all the acts and it's an important cause, particularly at the moment. It promises to be a special night of, well, stand up and rock really."
Crisis will be asking gig-goers to sign up to a new campaign, No one turned away, calling for the Government to strengthen the law so no one is forced to sleep rough.
This event is held in association with SJM concerts.
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Notes to editor
For further media information or to request an interview with a Crisis spokesperson, call 020 7426 5652 or email media@crisis.org.uk
No one turned away campaign
Crisis has launched a campaign calling for the government to strengthen the law so that no one is forced to sleep rough. Gig-goers will have a chance to sign a petition in support of the campaign calling for all single homeless people to have the right to receive written advice, real assistance and emergency accommodation when they need it.
Crisis
Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. We are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. Our innovative education, employment, housing and well-being services address individual needs and help people to transform their lives. We are determined campaigners, working to prevent people from becoming homeless and advocating solutions informed by research and our direct experience. We have ambitious plans for the future and are committed to help more people in more places across the UK. We know we won't end homelessness overnight or on our own. But we take a lead, collaborate with others and, together, make change happen.
Crisis at Christmas 40th anniversary
Crisis at Christmas is marking its 40th year of providing a warm, safe place to stay for tens of thousands of homeless and vulnerably housed people over the decades. Our guests have access to vital services and a warm bed, hot food and of course a Christmas dinner.
Crisis at Christmas not only provides immediate help for homeless people over this critical time, but it sets them up for a better year ahead. Guests receive healthcare, specialist advice on housing, work and benefits and encouragement to take up the opportunities to improve their lives with the training and support offered by Crisis through its Skylight centres in the New Year.
In 21st century Britain, it cannot be right that some people are left with no option but to be homeless or sleep rough. It is scandalous that Crisis at Christmas still exists, in fact, it will be busier than ever, as homelessness begins to rise again. With the recession, unemployment and rising living costs, homelessness is already rising, and this is before cuts to benefits, support services and housing really start to bite