Nearby, Pulp queued for lasagne. Children with handheld cameras ran around, documenting the excitement as they awaited Olivia Rodrigo.
Spontaneous Collaborations
Many collaborations happened spontaneously. Graham Coxon joined Rodrigo on a cover of The Magnetic Fields’ The Book of Love.
Jarvis Cocker invited the group into his studio to sing the intro to Pulp’s new song, Begging For Change.
A Legacy of Charity Albums
That original record featured Britpop stars like Paul Weller, Radiohead, Suede, Paul McCartney, The KLF, Portishead, and The Manic Street Preachers.
Notably, Oasis and Blur appeared together for the only time. The album sold 70,000 copies in its first week and raised £1.25 million for children affected by war.
The Urgent Need for Help
Today, Warchild reports that 520 million children worldwide—almost one in five—are affected by war. Crises in Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza have made fundraising more urgent.
First Single: Arctic Monkeys’
The album’s first single is Opening Night by Arctic Monkeys. It is a sparse, haunting ballad about political unrest. Alex Turner’s vocals lead to a harmonized, hopeful chorus.
Warchild’s call inspired them to complete it, turning it into a meaningful charity track.
Children in the Studio
A group of children aged eight to ten filmed the recording sessions. They were guided by BAFTA-winning director Jonathan Glazer. Their presence made the studios feel relaxed and fun.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Final Touch
Olivia Rodrigo’s song celebrates the purity of love and closes the album. Rich Clarke from Warchild said it leaves listeners with a “poignant final note” after exploring themes of conflict and hope.
Double vinyl will cost around £26, and all proceeds go to Warchild. Thanks to donated studio time and pressing services, the album will be affordable and impactful.
