Paul Weller, Madness and Bobby Gillespie Among Acts Set for Artists for Gaza Fundraiser in London

Paul Weller, Madness, Bobby Gillespie and Glen Matlock are among the names lined up for Artists for Gaza’s next fundraiser, which takes place this Sunday, May 17, at London‘s Scala.

The event is returning to raise money for the Health Workers 4 Palestine Gaza Medics Solidarity Fund, which supports the rebuilding of maternity wards in Gaza, funds mobile clinics and pays stipends to Gazan medics. Tickets and donations are available here.

Artists for Gaza says the first two editions brought in more than £55,000 for UNICEF’s Gaza appeal. That money helped provide food, medical care and shelter during what the UN commission inquiry in September concluded was genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel has denied, according to BBC News.

This year’s live line-up includes Weller, Sex Pistols bassist Matlock, Madness members Suggs, Barso, Bedders and Lee Thompson, Roxy Music saxophonist Andy Mackay, Kevin Rowland and Clive Langer of Deaf School.

DJ sets will come from The Specials co-founder Jerry Dammers, Gilles Peterson, Simon Bartholomew, Aitch B of Soul II Soul, DJ Prime Cuts, David Holmes, The Beirut Collective, Jeremy Healey, Lascelles Gordon and Gillespie.

Gillespie said founder Chris Sullivan is “an old friend who I respect very much”, adding: “When he told me what he was planning to do with the people being massacred in Gaza by the Israeli Occupation Forces I said I would love to be involved.

“I believe it’s the human rights issue of our time. A grave historical injustice has been done to the Palestinian people. Our government are complicit in the genocide prosecuted by Israel. I support the Palestinian people’s struggle for equal rights and justice.”

Rowland also backed the event, saying: “I want to play Artists for Gaza because it’s my duty as a human being to do whatever I possibly can. Innocent people are being slaughtered and our government don’t care.”

Additional live sets will come from acid jazz band Galliano, Natty Bo and the Top Cats, the Errol Linton Band and The Black Kat Boppers. The bill also includes a vintage vinyl room featuring Eddie ‘Acid Jazz’ Pillar, Bob Jones, Snowboy, Dean Thatcher, Paul ‘Smiler’ Anderson, plus Northern Soul sets from Wigan Casino regulars Amanda and Val, 6Ts all-nighter at the 100 Club founder Ady Croasdell and Lewisham’s the Heart of Soul Squad.

A reggae room will host veteran selectors including MC Kinky, Oxman, Dub Vendor, music producer Howie B, Gaz ‘Rockin Blues’ Mayall, Keith Lawrence of Mi-Soul, Darren Bennet and dancehall trailblazer Father Festus Coxsone.

Paul Simonon of The Clash and Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream DJing at ‘Artists For Gaza’ benefit, 2025. CREDIT: David Corio/Redferns

This month’s event is also being held in memory of Finbar Sullivan, the son of Chris Sullivan and Leah Seresin, who died in April. Press materials say Finbar was deeply moved by the suffering of children in Gaza and was heavily involved with Artists for Gaza from the start, making the dedication to him a “fitting dedication.”

It is not the first time Gillespie and Weller have appeared together for a Palestine fundraiser. In 2024, both joined Kneecap for a Gig For Gaza charity show at the O2 Academy Brixton.

That show was billed as a chance to bring together “some extraordinary talent to raise much-needed funds and awareness,” with proceeds going to MAP (Medical Aid For Palestinians) and Gaza Forever, both of which provide food, medical supplies and emergency shelter.

Before that, Primal Scream worked on a shirt design for a Palestinian refugee football team. Weller has also said he was “against genocides and ethnic cleansing” and performed with a Palestinian flag draped over his guitar amp.

The two also joined dozens of artists in signing a letter from Heavenly Recordings backing musicians’ and artists’ right to freedom of expression after backlash to Kneecap’s support for Palestine and calls for them to be dropped from festival bills.