War Child’s Safe & Sound series continued last night at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire with an incredible sold-out performance from South London’s man-on-the-rise Tom Misch. The adoring crowd lapped up Misch’s signature, jazz-licked guitar style, singing along to tracks from his debut LP Geography, out earlier in the year. The night’s label of ‘Tom Misch & Friends’ definitely lived up to the bill, with guest appearances from Loyle Carner, Jordan Rakei, Zak Abel and Poppy Ajudha as well as support from Misch’s sister Laura.
The Safe & Sound series is a celebration of War Child’s Learn to Live campaign, which has been encouraging links between young people in the UK and young people in war zones to promote empathy, understanding and support. It also aims to promote the need for greater provisions in mental health and psychosocial support to help children who have lived through the horrors of conflict to process their experiences and learn to live again.
The series began on Sunday with a special celebration of electronic music from Jon Hopkins, Alexis Taylor, George Fitzgerald and Kelly Lee Owens. Tonight Mercury Prize shortlisted art rockers Everything Everything will be finishing things off in style, headlining a self-curated lineup which also includes Gwenno and Audiobooks.
Tom Misch says: “War Child do such crucial work, so the fact that we could help in any way is an amazing feeling. The crowd were really up for it and it was extra special to bring some friends along to share this experience. If we’ve helped change one child’s life for the better then the night’s been a success”
You can download images from last night's show here
ABOUT WAR CHILD UK War Child is the only specialist charity for children affected by conflict. For more than two decades we’ve been driven by a single goal – for no child’s life to be torn apart by war. We aim to reach children as early as possible when conflict breaks out and stay to support them through their recovery – keeping them safe, helping them learn and cope with their experiences, and equipping them with skills for the future. We understand children’s needs, respect their rights, and put them at the centre of the solution - from supporting Syrian children to access education, to rehabilitating ex-child soldiers in the Central African Republic, and promoting justice for young people in detention in Afghanistan. We also campaign for changes to policies and practices to support children in conflict, working with children and young people themselves to demand their rights. Together with our partners we deliver our vital, life-saving work in 15 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and Latin America. In 2017 alone, we reached more than half a million children.