Cumbrian band behind star-studded Ukraine aid gig

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Federica Bedendo,North East and Cumbriaand

Mike Zeller,BBC Radio Cumbria

Band Hardwicke Circus have toured Ukraine twice since the start of the conflict

BBC Jonny Foster (left) and his brother Tom (right) during an interview. They are pictured side-on, looking at a person out of shot. They are standing in a room, with vinyls hanging from the walls. Jonny has short light brown hair and wears a black t-shirt. Tom has a similar haircut with ginger hair and is wearing a dark denim jacket. — Band Hardwicke Circus have toured Ukraine twice since the start of the conflict

A Cumbrian band who were the first British outfit to tour war-torn Ukraine is behind a star-studded gig in aid of women and children impacted by the conflict.

Hardwicke Circus have toured twice across music venues, hospitals and prosthetic centres in Ukraine since the war's outbreak.

They are behind Songs Of Freedom, a gig featuring Bob Geldof, Madness and Peter Hook, to be held at Manchester's Co-Op Live on 3 February and streamed worldwide.

Sir Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand and Sean Penn will appear via video link at the event. It will be promoted by Harvey Goldsmith, who promoted Live Aid in 1985, organised by Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia.

Hardwicke Circus' singer and guitarist Jonny Foster said it was "fantastic" to see so many big names support the idea, which the band came up with in the back of their tour van.

"I'm from Carlisle, I'm not in them circles whatsoever, but we were motivated by our tours of Ukraine."

Foster said the gig was less about the celebrity names and more about "music being a force for good".

"Music can play a powerful role in people's lives and it's a songwriters' night, showing support for Ukraine - music can offer that kind of positive influence and we're very lucky that everyone's come on board."

Bob Geldof was behind Live Aid in 1985, which raised money for Ethiopia

Sarah Jeynes/BBC Bob Geldof standing in front of a black curtain. He has medium length white hair and a beard. He is looking straight down the camera with a serious expression. He is wearing a light brown coat. — Bob Geldof was behind Live Aid in 1985, which raised money for Ethiopia

Goldsmith said he was "really pleased" to play a part in the fundraising event.

"We must stand together and play a role in pressuring the need to stop this war."

The Doobie Brothers, Chrissie Hynde, Nick Lowe, Inspiral Carpets, and Squeeze's Chris Difford will take to the stage alongside Ukrainian bands.

Foster said: "We saw the brutal destruction upfront [during our tours], we saw all the terrible things that are happening to their people, but we also saw a culture of joy and beauty and love and a desire to move forward into the future - it was that optimism of the Ukrainian people that we wanted to celebrate."

Money will be raised for charities United24, Voices of Children, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk Charitable Foundation (People Of The Future), and Masha Foundation.

Foster explained they provided women and children with trauma support, de-mining and energy resilience for schools, among others.

Ahead of the concert, a special recording of the Ukrainian song Shchedryk (Carol Of The Bells) featuring the Songs For Ukraine Choir, the Royal Opera Choir and the London Metropolitan Orchestra will be released, also to raise money.

Foster said: "Through music we're going to show solidarity."

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