War Child and O2 present PASSPORT BACK TO THE BARS

18 December 2014 - Press release

The smallest gigs... to make the biggest difference February 16-24, 2015

Acts to include Bastille, Ride (Mark Gardener and Andy Bell acoustic show) and Duran Duran

War Child and O2 are proud to announce Passport Back To The Bars, a week of one- off events offering incredible access to big names acts in the most intimate music venues – supporting War Child to bring hope and safety back to children in war zones after an unprecedented year of violence.

Produced by War Child, O2, the Music Managers Forum and part of BRITs Week 2015, these will be the smallest gigs making the biggest difference.

Artists performing will include special shows from Bastille, Duran Duran and Ride (Mark Gardener and Andy Bell acoustic show) - the line up, dates, venues and de- tails on how to win tickets will be announced in early January. To register for in- formation visit www.warchild.org.uk/passport.

The venues in London and Manchester will be tiny - around 300 capacity and small- er – and fans will get the chance to win tickets by donating to War Child.

This marks ten years since War Child’s original Passport Back To The Bars shows for victims of the Iraq war, when acts included The Cure, David Gray, Elbow, Pet Shop Boys, Supergrass and Amy Winehouse. 

All the money raised will support War Child’s vital work saving children from the brutal effects of war including Syria, Iraq and Gaza. These stripped back, intimate shows for a few hundred fans will have a life-changing impact for thousands of vul- nerable children.

Duran Duran’s John Taylor says: “Thousands of children are innocent victims in the war zones of adult conflict around the world. They are often being denied ed- ucation and other basic human rights. We are looking forward to performing an ex- clusive event in London this coming February, in support of War Child and the im- portant work they do in the regions where these children are suffering.

This past year we have spent most of our time in the studio working on new songs, so we are very much looking forward to getting back onto a London stage for this special appearance.”

Ben Knowles, War Child’s Director of Music says: “2014 saw more people dis- placed by war than any year since World War 2. It is a global emergency. These child refugees have no passports. They don’t get to choose where war sends them. The support of these bands and the generosity of music fans can send them hope.”

Stephen Budd, the Music Managers Forum co-chairman says: 'It felt the right time to revive this series of special shows that I put together with War Child back in 2004 to support the children of Iraq. Sadly, the situation there - and now in Syria too - is more difficult than ever before. But War Child are making a significant dif- ference to the lives of the children effected. We are delighted that these incredi- ble artists are stepping up to the plate to do something so special, but so simple, to help".

Nina Bibby, Marketing and Consumer Director, O2, says: “We’re proud to be continuing our long standing partnership with War Child in support of the incredi- ble work they do. With such an exciting line up of artists, with more names still to be announced, there’s something for every music fan and we look forward to working with War Child to help make Passport Back To The Bars a huge success.”