Ukrainian band urges Ed Sheeran to join remote Kyiv concert ‘under the bombs’

Members from the Ukrainian band Antytila reached out to Ed Sheeran asking him to perform “under the bombs” remotely from Kyiv, where they are based.

The band shared a TikTok video – which has now gone viral – urging Sheeran to join the concert and raise money for the besieged country.

Announced last week, the Concert For Ukraine charity benefit will take place on March 29 and will air on ITV in aid of the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian appeal.

Also Read | Camila Cabello talks about Shawn Mendes breakup, new single with Ed Sheeran

“Hello @Ed Sheeran, greetings from Kyiv! We offer to make a live broadcast between Kyiv and Birmingham with Antytila temporary joining the gig remotely,” the band captioned their video.

In the message, the band said: “In peacetime, our concerts gathered stadiums. The war has changed our lives and now we are fighting with weapons against the Russian occupiers.”

“We thank you, and all the British people for their support. Believe me, we are grateful, and we will always, always remember this. Today we learned about your charity concert for Ukraine, which will take place in Birmingham,” they said.

“And we offer to make a live broadcast between Kyiv and Birmingham with Antytila temporary joining the gig remotely.

“Our band will play our music in Kyiv, a city that has not surrendered and will never surrender to the Russian occupiers. You will play in Birmingham. We are not afraid to play under the bombs,” they continued. “Through music, we want to show the world that Ukraine is strong and unconquered.

Also Read | Reverse card: Russia imposes sanctions on US President Joe Biden

“We will fight and sing for victory in front of the whole world that supports us. So on March 29, we are ready.”

Sheeran is already set to take the stage alongside many other big-name acts, including Camila Cabello. Snow Patrol, Emeli Sandé, Becky Hill, Nile Rodgers, Gregory Porter, Tom Odell and The Manic Street Preachers. The show, which will be held at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, will be hosted by Spice Girl Emma Bunton, Marvin Humes and Ronan Kemp.

Cabello said in a statement that her “heart was breaking” for the people of Ukraine who have been forced to leave their homes amid the war.

“We all have a responsibility [to help out],” the “Cinderella” star added. “One of the biggest needs is to get funds to organizations who can serve these communities directly, so we’re focusing our efforts on doing that as quickly as we can.”