Amy Macdonald and KT Tunstall among line-up of locked-down stars singing Songs for Scotland in aid of STV Children’s Appeal
A number of Scotland’s biggest music stars are lining up to perform exclusive weekly online concerts from their homes to raise funds for the STV Children’s Appeal’s Emergency Coronavirus Campaign.
The Songs for Scotland livestream series will see multimillion-selling homegrown artists including Amy Macdonald and KT Tunstall swapping arenas for their living rooms to perform for thousands of fans on Facebook, in unique live sessions hosted by STV’s Entertainment Reporter, Polly Bartlett.
The Children’s Appeal has launched the series following the viral success of a similar online performance by Marti Pellow last week, which raised hundreds for the Appeal’s Emergency Coronavirus Campaign to help young people in Scotland affected by COVID-19.
East Dunbartonshire native Amy Macdonald, a long-time supporter of the STV Children’s Appeal who memorably performed five gigs in one day to raise money for it in 2012, will follow Marti in performing Songs for Scotland at 7pm on Tuesday 5 May. KT Tunstall will livestream from her adopted LA home the following week, with more stars due to perform throughout the month.
Viewers can watch all of the sessions on the STV Children’s Appeal’s Facebook page.
The Appeal’s Emergency Coronavirus Campaign was launched last month in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust, which collaborates with charities and other bodies to support victims during domestic disasters. The campaign aims to respond to the impact that COVID-19 is having on communities across Scotland, and help the country’s vulnerable children and young people at a time when extra support is more vital than ever.
Fans of the Songs for Scotland series can donate £5 to the STV Children’s Appeal by texting HERO to 70507.
KT Tunstall said: “The great gigs I played all across Scotland in aid of the STV Children’s Appeal back in January feel a LOT longer than a few months ago! It’s a different world right now, and sadly it’s not possible to do any more live gigs to ensure everyone’s safety, so taking part in this series of virtual sessions feels like the next best option.
“I’ve been a supporter of the STV Children’s Appeal for many years, and the amazing work they do to help vulnerable children in Scotland is more important during these challenging times than ever. I’m looking forward to joining Polly to perform some banging tunes to help raise lots of cash for kids that really need it.”
Amy Macdonald said: “I’ve been involved with STV from the very beginning of my career and I’ve been involved in the Children’s Appeal many times throughout the years too. It’s an amazing cause and I’ve seen the real-life stories of those they help, which just brings it all home.
“It might seem like the smallest thing – me sitting in my room singing songs – but it raises awareness and money, and if it helps even just one person it’ll be worth it.”
STV’s Entertainment Reporter Polly Bartlett said: “This unique series of virtual concerts stems from a spontaneous idea I had to set up a one-off Marti Pellow singalong to keep us all entertained on a quiet Sunday in lockdown. I was taken aback by the fantastic response to Marti’s livestream and the generosity of all those who donated to the Children’s Appeal after watching it – not that I ever underestimated the power of Mr Pellow!
“Making Songs for Scotland a weekly fixture is a no-brainer really, not only because the performances are going to be a fabulous lockdown treat but also – and most importantly – because they will help to raise money for vulnerable children in Scotland during this incredibly difficult and uncertain time.”
