BBC Live Lounge Allstars release Charity single
Written by Gavin on 23rd April 2020
The BBC has brought together some of the biggest and most respected artists from the UK and around the world for the most ambitious Live Lounge in its history, in support of the global effort to stay safe and stay home during the coronavirus crisis.
The Stay Home Live Lounge is out now and is a cover of Foo Fighters’ ‘Times Like These’ to raise money for charities, with the accompanying video to receive its world exclusive premiere during BBC One’s The Big Night In.
The artists taking part are (in alphabetical order):
5 Seconds of Summer
· AJ Tracey
Anne-Marie
· Bastille
· Biffy Clyro
· Celeste
· Chris Martin of Coldplay
· Dermot Kennedy
· Dua Lipa
· Ellie Goulding
· Grace Carter
· Hailee Steinfeld
· Jess Glynne
· Mabel
· Paloma Faith
· Rag’n’Bone Man
· Rita Ora
· Royal Blood
· Sam Fender
· Sean Paul
· Sigrid
· YUNGBLUD
· Zara Larsson
The Stay Home Live Lounge will be recorded and filmed by artists from their own homes, and produced by Grammy and Ivor Novello award-winning producer Fraser T. Smith. Smith is renowned for his work with Stormzy, Adele, Dave and many more, and counts seven UK No.1 singles and 18 No. 1 albums among his achievements.
The BBC has also released the song as a single, with UK proceeds to be combined with any funds raised by The Big Night In. These funds will be split equally between BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief to provide essential support to vulnerable people of all ages and backgrounds across the UK who will be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
International proceeds will go towards the WHO’s COVID-19-Solidarity Response Fund.
Dua Lipa says: “I am so proud that we’ve been able to come together to record this track and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. Thinking of everyone around the world at this difficult time. Love you all.”
Ellie Goulding says: “I’m honoured to join such a great line up for the ‘Times Like These: BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge’ special. More so than ever it’s important to remember the valuable role we each have to play in bringing hope, courage and strength to one another – I hope that this track brings comfort at such a difficult time.”
Fraser T Smith says: “It’s humbling to have been asked to produce this amazing single, taking the Foo Fighters’ classic, ‘Times Like These’, with the Radio 1 Live Lounge team and the incredible collective of artists who have come together to record whilst in isolation. Our vision was to create a stay at home version using phones, pots, pans and acoustic guitars that would honour the brilliance and honesty of the artists and song, rather than the trickery of an expensive recording studio. We tried to make this single in a totally different way artistically, relevant to today. The lyrics particularly resonate with us all at this challenging time, and I sincerely hope that money raised can help the plight of the unified battle against COVID-19 around the world.”
All net profits from sales or downloads of the single within the UK will be donated to two charities. 50% of donations will be paid to Comic Relief which is the trading name of Charity Projects (registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 326568 and in Scotland, charity number SC039730) and 50% of donations will be paid to BBC Children in Need (registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 802052 and in Scotland, charity number SC039557). The Big Night In Appeal is a joint initiative between Comic Relief and BBC Children in Need