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London’s OVO Arena Wembley became a significant place of solidarity on September 17, 2025, when thousands of artists, activists, and fans came to Together for Palestine to fundraise for Gaza.
The concert featured classic British and international acts like Bastille, James Blake, and Paloma Faith, in addition to Palestinian performers like Sama’ Abdulhadi, Saint Levant, and Elyanna. The performers’ songs were amplified by the visuals of the stage set design created by Palestinian artists; the backdrops and props evoke empathy for the people behind the headlines, where the conflict has affected those in Gaza.
In addition to the performers, there were speakers from film, sport, and activism, such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Florence Pugh, to encourage awareness and action. Concert organiser British musician Brian Eno expressed how difficult it had been to negotiate the concert, not just in securing the venue but also in arranging the TV coverage due to the position it covered politically. This only added to the significance of filling every seat in the house and making it a sell-out evening.
Malak Mattar, who helped design the stage set, incorporated works by Palestinian artists who lost their lives in the conflict, creating a moving backdrop that added layers of remembrance and meaning.
The event promptly sold out, and for those who couldn’t attend, the arena was able to follow the event online via a livestream. All the proceeds from the event would go to the UK charity Choose Love to aid the frontline aid group organisations, including the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society. “Together for Palestine” was able to lift £1.5 million while providing relief to other artists. Although the concert raised much-needed funds, a much larger task was revived: bringing not only solidarity and action but awareness of the Gaza crisis, in which many human lives have been lost.
More than a concert, “Together for Palestine” was a moment of shared connection and shared awareness in a moment of shared pain. In addition to generating substantial financial support for humanitarian efforts, the event also galvanised a diverse array of artists and speakers to promote the current situation in Gaza. It served as a reminder of the role of cultural events in framing issues and creating attention around issues of global significance.
