Pete Townshend, The Feeling and Boy George were part of a star-studded line up that rocked the Royal Albert Hall for The Prince's Trust Rock Gala supported by Novae.
The music extravaganza, hosted by Edith Bowman and Patrick Kielty, raised vital funds – and the roof – for the youth charity’s vital work with disadvantaged young people. The fundraiser comes in the wake of news that more than a million 16 to 24 year-olds are out of work, the highest number since records began in 1992.
A long list of Prince’s Trust supporters performed at the Rock Gala – the tenth in The Trust’s history – including singer songwriters Chris De Burgh, Nik Kershaw, Julian Lennon, Cerys Matthews, Alison Moyet and Joss Stone , rock legends Kenney Jones, Mark King and Midge Ure, urban saxophonist YolanDa Brown, classical music star Charlie Siem and comedian and musician Tim Minchin.
Performances included Alison Moyet’s Slave to the Rhythm, Boy George’s Do you Really Want to Hurt Me, Joss Stone’s Super, Duper Love, Cerys Matthews’ Road Rage and five songs by The Who legend Pete Townshend.
Prince’s Trust ambassadors who turned out to watch the show included actress Tamsin Egerton, actor Sir Ben Kingsley, model Jerry Hall, and Strictly dancer Kristina Rhianoff.
“We were thrilled to have the support of so many musicians who care as passionately as we do about the future of a very large and growing crowd of young people hit by rising unemployment,” said Martina Milburn, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust. "Money raised by the Rock Gala will help us to change young lives at a very difficult time, when more than a million 16 to 24 year-olds are out of work.
“We’re delighted to be here tonight, doing our bit for The Prince’s Trust,” added Dan Gillespie, lead singer of award-wining band The Feeling. “With youth unemployment at record-breaking levels and the jobs market uncertain, there has never been a better time to support the UK’s young job seekers. Preventing this group from becoming a lost generation is both vital and urgent.”
The Prince’s Trust Rock Gala supported by Novae will be on Sky 3D and Sky Arts 1 on 25th December 2011 at 9pm.
