A Ukrainian band fighting in the war have posted a TikTok video asking Ed Sheeran if they can perform remotely at next week’s Concert for Ukraine in Birmingham.
The televised concert is set to take place on Tuesday, March 29, and will have performances from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello and Manic Street Preachers – and maybe even the Ukrainian band Antytila.
What is the concert for Ukraine?
The line up includes: Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Gregory Porter, Snow Patrol, Emeli Sande, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Becky Hill, The Kingdom Choir, Tom Odell, and Manic Street Preachers.
The two-hour concert will air live on ITV and STV whilst also being available to watch on-demand. Various radio stations will also be sharing backstage content from the show too.
All proceeds from the concert will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Who is Antytila?
Antytila is a Ukrainian pop band that formed back in 2007, but first got national recognition In 2008, when the band won the Grand Prix of the Pearls of the Season Music Festival.
Since then the band has released six albums, but are now embroiled in the fight against the Russian invasion of Ukraine which began a month ago.
The frontman, Taras Topolya, took to TikTok with a message to Ed Sheeran offering their services for the gig.
In the message they explain how the war has changed their lives from playing in stadiums and ask if there’s the possibility of playing remotely from Kyiv ‘under the bombs’.
Their message said: ‘Hello Ed Sheeran, greetings from Kyiv! We are musicians of the Ukrainian band Antytila – one of the most popular Ukrainian bands with a lot of fans in Ukraine and all over the world. In peacetime, our concerts gathered stadiums.
‘The war has changed our lives and now we are fighting with weapons against the Russian occupiers. We thank you, and all the British people for their support. Believe me, we are grateful, and we will always, always remember this.
‘Today we learned about your charity concert for Ukraine, which will take place in Birmingham. And we offer to make a lie broadcast between Kyiv and Birmingham with Antytila temporary joining the gig remotely.
‘Our band will play our music in Kyiv, a city that has not surrendered and will never surrender to the Russian occupiers. You will play in Birmingham. We are not afraid to play under the bombs. Through music, we want to show the world that Ukraine is strong and unconquered. We will fight and sing for victory in front of the whole world that supports us. So on March 29, we are ready.’
Ed Sheeran Send His Love
After the band’s video went viral the ‘Bad Habits’ singer sent the band a video sending his love and saying how ‘proud’ he is to be playing at the concert.
He said: ‘I just want to say to all Ukrainians; “I love you, I stand with you and I’m so proud to be playing this fundraising event next week”. I can’t wait to check your music out too, guys. Sending lots of love.’