‘We should use our platform wisely’: The Vamps’ James McVey, Kygo and The Amazons speak out in support of War Child ahead of Brits Week

This year’s line-up includes The Amazons, Ed Sheeran, Kygo and The Vamps 
Safeeyah Kazi2 February 2018
The Weekender

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The VampsJames McVey, Kygo and The Amazons have all highlighted the importance of musicians using their platforms for “important causes” as they gear up for this year’s Brits Week in aid of War Child.

The series of shows gives fans the unique opportunity to see some of the music industry’s biggest artists in intimate venues across London and Manchester.

Money raised from the shows goes to the charity, which aims to help children whose lives have been torn apart by war.

Jessie Ware, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Laura Marling, Deaf Havana and Wolf Alice are some of the other names joining the bill.

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McVey, vocals and guitar in pop sensations The Vamps, highlighted the importance of being “responsible” with their platform.

The 23-year-old said: “We are really looking forward to the show, it’s an intimate show and our first show of 2018.

“We are excited to introduce War Child to our fans, whether we like it or not we have a responsibility to an extent. We are very lucky that we have been given a platform where a fair few million people care what we do and say, so we should use it wisely. “

Speaking to the Standard, The Amazons frontman Matt Thomson and drummer Joe Emmett said: “We feel really good supporting War Child, it’s going to be our first headline show since October so it’s going to be good to play an intimate venue and be part of a really good cause.

“The world at the moment and historically war has been terrible and for children to be involved and get the brunt of it in terms of displacement. We’re more than happy to get behind it and raise some cash.”

Thomson added that one of his heroes is his mother, who works as a nurse, because she “spends her day doing stuff for other people and not expecting anything back”.

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He added: I’ve always been really conflicted with what we do being a musician it sometimes feels like a self-centred endeavour so any opportunity (to help others) and supporting a cause like War Child means a lot to us.

“I think it is really important that artists use their platform for causes like this. Its’ more about what you do, it’s not about what you say.”

“We do feel a level of responsibility to help people with our music when we can. I think as human beings, not just being in the band everyone has a responsibility to try and make a difference if you’re in a privileged position”, said Emmett.

Also cementing his place on the star-studded bill, at London’s Omeara, is Firestone DJ Kygo, real name, Kyrre Gørvell-Dahl.

“I’m excited for this show, for me, for an intimate show and it’s a good cause so I’m happy to be involved. I think artists should use their platform for good causes, people should find stuff they care about and be involved in the events that they can”, the 26-year-old told the Standard Online.

Good Cause: The DJ highlighted the need to get involved with events he cares about
Getty Images for Fontainebleau M

Deaf Havana frontman James Veck-Gilodi described the opportunity to play an intimate show at London’s Union Chapel as “amazing”.

He said: “We’ve never really done anything massive for a charity so for me it’s going to be great. War Child especially, meeting the guys who run it who are out there and them explaining to me, as small as it may be, to contribute anything towards it is great. I’m incredibly happy and excited to support it.

“It is amazing that you can use it to support charities around the world. For us, music is a hobby I guess and something we did in our spare time but then I think back on us when we were kids, the thing we can use music for is to draw funds and inspire people it’s ridiculous that what we do for fun can help people.”

The Little White Lies singer added: “I think it’s very important that artists use their platform for causes such as this, I think it’s a waste if you don’t use your status to help in some degree. We’ve been given an opportunity to do what we love for a living so it’s the least we can do.”

Prize draw for War Child BRITs Week together with O2 closes on on Monday 5 February.

To enter the prize draw and win tickets to see the artist of your choice, make a £5 donation at www.britsweekwarchild.co.uk.

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