Last week saw artists from all avenues of the entertainment industry come together to raise money for Nordoff Robbins. On the 14th December 2021, a star-studded roster participated in the annual charity event ‘The Stars Come Out To Sing At Christmas 2021’ which raised over £200,000 for the UK’s most successful music therapy charity. Nordoff Robbin’s Christmas Carol concert took place live at London’s St. Luke’s Church, the event was made available to stream on Sunday 19th December 2021.
The legend himself, @nilerodgers! Come and join Nile on Sunday 19 December with performances from Sir @rodstewart, @ImeldaOfficial, @JessGillamSax and more!
Don’t miss out on what will be an unforgettable evening. Sign up today: https://t.co/e4JusZfgxh pic.twitter.com/nKkl4O99ST
— Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy (@nordoffrobbins) December 9, 2021
All proceeds from the event were donated to Nordoff Robbins to ensure that the continuation of the charities positive influence. The donated funds will enable the charity’s music therapists to continue their important work to utilise music’s power to help those suffering from mental and physical difficulties. A statement from the charity’s website describes their work, “At Nordoff Robbins, we stand for music and believe in the value of music for all people in our society. Our vision is to live in a world where through music therapy, human potential is recognised regardless of profound disability, illness or social exclusion.”
The annual fundraising concert was hosted by music icon Nile Rodgers and included headline acts Sir Rod Stewart, Imelda May and Jess Gillam. Sir Stewart treated ticketholders to a setlist including the hit single “Have I Told You Lately” and the festive classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. The singer then concluded the show with an improvised rendition of the classic “Shake, Rattle And Roll”. Dublin born singer also delighted the audience with a set including her 2021 hit “Don’t Let Me Stand On My Own” as well as a reading of her poem “Home”. May was also joined on stage by Sir Stewart and the duo performed an emotional duet of “Grace”. Gillam also adhered to the festive theme and performed a rendition of “Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence”. The event’s host also took to Instagram to announce the event, within the post Rodgers also provided link to the charity.
The event also saw performances from Shakira, Eurythmics Songbook featuring David A. Stewart along with special guest Beverley Knight, Enrique Iglesias and Lindsey Buckingham, The event’s host Nile Rodgers also performed with his band CHIC, all acts performed at St. Luke’s Church and all performances are available to stream. The event’s stream also features accessible sets from previous years’ line up, past acts available to stream include Neil Young and Robbie Williams.
The Christmas concert also included a treat for literature fans, actors gave readings from celebrated texts. Clarke Peters read from The Journey of the Magi by T.S Eliot, the American actor is best known for his work in The Wire. The Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy was read by English actress Alice Eve and Rory Bremmer read from King John’s Christmas by A.A. Milne.
The event’s host Nile Rodgers has given the following statement expressing the charities’ importance, “Get together with family and friends and settle down for a musical treat from the comfort of your own sofa for Christmas carols with a difference as The Stars Come Out To Sing At Christmas 2021 – to help raise vital funds for a whole range of people who need it most, including children with autism who rely on music therapy for a sense of connection and those affected by life-limiting illnesses or disability. Nordoff Robbins believes in the value of music for all people in our society – which is why it’s so close to my heart. I understand the power of music and have witnessed how music therapy can connect people who may otherwise feel isolated or disconnected from the world. It’s the universal values that we can all express through music that brings us together in a unique way. I’m honoured to be hosting this special online concert for the second year running, bringing together some of my friends from the music world, including one of my favourites – Sir Rod Stewart – who feel just as passionately as I do about the important work of Nordoff Robbins.”
Click here to stream the concert and discover more about Nordoff Robbins.
