All for charity - the biggest names in music and comedy unite to appear in 2013 charity shows
Check our round-up for the best fundraising events across the UK and Ireland. Tickets on sale now
Every year in the run-up to Christmas (and beyond, of course), many of the UK's and Ireland's leading charities organize fundraising shows up and down the country in the hope that the public will part with a few spare hours to attend and, most importantly, a few spare pounds to help each one in their quest to make life easier for those in peril.
Below is a chronological guide to many such charity events due to take place in the next few months. Please note that prices quoted are exclusive of fees, some of which have been waived or reduced by the ticket agents. Please give, laugh and rock generously.
May
West End Eurovision 2013
Held in aid of the Make a Difference Trust (www.madtrust.org.uk), which raises funds and awareness to help HIV and AIDS victims around the world, this extravaganza gives cast-members of West End shows the chance to perform all your favourites from that most treasured of annual events - Eurovision. The Dominion Theatre bash on 23rd May will set you back £45 for standard seats or £100 for VIP seats near the front.
Mark Thomas
In aid of the Belarus Free Theatre, Thomas has commandeered the Comedy Store in London for a benefit comedy night on 27th May, featuring Omid Djalili, Phill Jupitus, Isy Suttie and Imran Yusef. The aim of the theatre, founded and based in Belarus, is to present unique productions that reflect their experiences under dictatorial rule. Tickets for the show cost £12.50/£15.
June
![The Big Mix [Macmillan] - Image: www.thebigmix.co.uk](http://www.allgigs.co.uk/images/object/artist/60266/The_Big_Mix_Macmillan-1-75-75-85-crop.jpg)
The Big Mix [Macmillan]
As part of the two-day charity event, songwriter Tom McRae will perform a special fundraiser at London's Rich Mix on 1st June (£15), Jesca Hoop will appear at Hoxton Hall on 2nd June (£9) while Lady Lamb the Beekeeper will perform a fundraiser for the Macmillan charity at Hackney's Old Blue Last on the same day (£6). You can also buy a Golden Ticket wristband pass for both days, priced at £25.
Beyoncé
Taking place at Twickenham Stadium on 1st June is this huge arena show in aid of Chime For Change (www.chimeforchange.org). Beyonce will headline the event with support from Florence + the Machine, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora, John Legend, Timbaland, Haim and Iggy Izalea. Tickets on sale now.
Ed Byrne
Balham's Bedford venue will be hosting a comedy benefit gig in aid of the Chordoma Foundation (www.chordomafoundation.org ) on 2nd June, along with appearances from Men in Coats, Marcel Lucont and The Reduced Shakespeare Company. Tickets for this Funny Bones night cost from £19.50.
Laugh Till It Hurts
Bloomsbury Theatre will once again host another worthy comedy fundraiser on 5th June, this time in aid of Mind (www.mind.org.uk). Marcus Brigstocke will headline the evening alongside Brendon Burns, Danny Bhoy and Tony Law, all for the very reasonable price of £15.
Save the Children
A line-up has yet to be confirmed for this show at The Comedy Store on 10th June, but Laugh Till It Hurts (who are running this event) are sure to unveil a cracking line-up. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £15.
FestiFeel 2013
Team Boobs have announced a new home for their London-based 2013 fundraising spectacular. Islington's Metalworkz near Angel tube will host another day-fest featuring a treasure chest (ooer) of music and fun on 15th June. Spearheaded by the Coppafeel! gang, this gathering will set you back £20 (Early Bird price - rises on 1st April). The line-up will be announced in due course.
DJ Luciano
DJ Luciano, the renowned Chilean-Swiss DJ will be performing a rare set at Liverpool's St Georges Hall on 22nd June in benefit of Claire House Children's Hospice (www.claire-house.org.uk). Other guests include Reboot, Mirko Loko and Argy. Tickets on sale now priced at £25 for this event or £30 for a pass to all related Claire House events on the day.
July
Rays of Sunshine
After announcing their intentions to split, JLS will see out 2013 with loads of shows including this fundraiser for seriously ill children at London's Royal Albert Hall on 6th July, also featuring Olly Murs, Kimberley Walsh, Charlie Brown, Flawless, Angel and more. Tickets are already getting snapped up from around £25 - £100.
The Who
Rounding-off their almost-sold out UK tour in June will be this special fundraising Quadrophenia spectacular at Wembley Arena on 8th July. In aid of the band's Double O charity (rehab, domestic violence and emergency aid), the show will see the classic album performed in its entirety with hits and more added to the setlist. Tickets on sale now, priced at £60 - £70.
GBH
Yes, you read right - punks have a heart too, you know! The Hairy Dog in Derby is hosting a one-day punk-fest for Macmillan Cancer Support on 13th July with GBH, Drongos For Europe, The Enemy [punk] and many more punk and Oi artists to be confirmed. It's an all-dayer and tickets cost £14 with a portion of proceeds going to the charity (www.macmillan.org.uk).
Headbangers Balls 2013
In aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, several upcoming metallers will be descending on a handful of towns in July/August to raise money and pummel your eardrums. Mad Hatter 2.0, Reign Of Fury, Cambion, KaiDekA, Karybdis, Aethara, Bull-Riff Stampede and Divine Chaos are just some of the acts involved - tickets are on sale now priced at around £10.
Music on the Hill 2013
King's Hill in Kent is the setting for this charity music weekend from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July. Featuring Jools Holland and his Rhythm 'n Blues Orchestra (Friday evening - £36), McFly (Saturday afternoon - £30), Peter Andre (Saturday evening - £33) and a 'Family Summer Sunday' with StooShe, Gareth Gates, Ben Mills and Joe McElderry appearing from 1pm onwards (£28). Tickets on sale now. Demelza Hospice Care for Children (www.demelza.org.uk), Teens Unite Fighting Cancer (www.teensunitefightingcancer.org) and The Children's Development Trust (www.childrensdevelopmenttrust.org.uk) are the charities which will benefit.
High Diversity 2013
Northallerton in North Yorkshire is the setting for this charity fundraiser in aid of the Huntingdon's Disease Foundation (hda.org.uk). It's a one-dayer set to take place on 20th July with a line-up that boasts X Factor finalist Jonjo Kerr, plus The Zimmers and the Footloose School of Dance. Prices start at £15.
Aug
The Boy with Tape on his Face
A special Edinburgh comedy fundraiser has been confirmed in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, taking place during this year's Festival Fringe. Venue 150 will host the inimitable The Boy with Tape on his Face plus guests (tbc) with a one-off show on 12th August - tickets are £20.
Oct
Roar With Laughter
Proceeds from this Zoological Society of London-sponsored show, at Hammersmith Apollo on 18th October, will go towards their tireless conservation work. Lee Mack, Lucy Porter, Men in Coats and Greg Burns are the first names on the bill with more to be added in due course. Tickets are on sale now priced from £15 to £30.
