Jezabels, Ngaiire, Sampa The Great and more Aussie acts join global refugee concert series

A number of Australian acts are part of a global concert series of 300 shows on September 20 to show solidarity with refugees and unite in welcoming them.

Give A Home is put together by Amnesty International and Sofar Sounds, and the shows will be live streamed by Facebook Live and VICE.

Over a thousand musicians will play Give A Home on the day in 200 cities in 60 countries around the world.

Among the Australians are The Jezabels, who said in a statement: “Refugees are sacred people who need to be protected.”

Another is Ngaiire, who actually has personal experience in being in a refugee camp.

In 1994, her family’s home in Rabaul, New Guinea, was destroyed by an erupting volcano, “All our childhood photos were gone. We didn’t have insurance. We went from one refugee camp to the next for three months.”

Other Aussie acts participating include Megan Washington, Sampa The Great and The Griswolds.

They join names such as Rudimental, The National, Hot Chip, Gregory Porter, Billy Bragg, Jessie Ware, Broods, Oh Wonder, BØRNS, Daughter, James Morrison, The Naked & Famous, KT Tunstall, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Nigel Godrich.

“With more than 21 million people forced to flee their home country, the world refugee crisis is one of the defining issues of our era,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

“How we respond to it now will shape who we are for generations to come. This is our moment to defend the things that unite us and refuse to let fear and prejudice win.

“Music and art have always been powerful partners to the cause of justice because they share an ability to stir something deep within us. They help us to look beyond borders and see what unites us.”

“That is why this World Refugee Day we are announcing the Give a Home concerts. The shows will be an opportunity to reflect on our shared humanity and strengthen our resolve to tackle this unprecedented humanitarian challenge.”

Co-organiser Sofar Sounds is a London-based company that specialises in throwing secret concerts in people’s homes all over the world. It has hosted shows in venues ranging from back gardens in Cape Town to cliffside lairs in Los Angeles, greenhouses in Tokyo, lofts in London, mansions in Mumbai, outback farms in Australia and converted schoolhouses in São Paulo.

To be part of the day, visit sofarsounds.com/giveahometo see which shows are being held in your city and buy tickets.

The funds raised by the project will support Amnesty International’s work in documenting human rights abuses and violations against refugees, and pushing governments to find a sustainable solution to the refugee crisis.