‘Rattle and Hum’ and ‘Queen of the Desert’ producer treats Londonderry to free peace gig

It has been announced that the spectacular Peace One Day concert that will open the London 2012 Festival in Northern Ireland Thursday, June 21 at Ebrington Square Derry~Londonderry is now free to attend.

Thanks to a benefactor, all tickets for the event are now free. Film producer and entrepreneur, Michael Hamlyn, has been a long-term fan of the city and its vibrant cultural life.

Michael said: “Derry is a fabulous city and it’s building up to an exceptional year as the first UK City of Culture in 2013, I’m delighted to make this gesture to ensure that people from all walks of life in the city get the chance to enjoy a great evening of music and celebration.”

This will allow thousands of people the opportunity to join in the Peace One Day Global Truce 2012 concert that will see performances by chart-topping artists Pixie Lott, Imelda May and Newton Faulkner, the critically acclaimed Guillemots and local rising stars Wonder Villains, with appearances from Peace One Day ambassador Jude Law and Peace One Day founder Jeremy Gilley.

The concert will mark the three-month countdown to Peace Day 2012, the largest ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence taking place on Friday, September 21.

The concert will feature video statements from international figures including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, artist Yoko Ono and Chairperson of the African Union Jean Ping and will culminate in a spectacular pyrotechnic display from a barge on the River Foyle.

The event marks the start of 12 weeks of celebrations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, featuring leading artists from the UK and around the world. The concert will add to the 10 million free UK-wide opportunities to get involved in the London 2012 Festival already announced.

Free tickets are now being made available for the concert. The free tickets are available on a first come, first served basis by visiting the Ticketmaster website, www.ticketmaster.ie; there is an service charge of £1.50 per ticket.

Tickets are limited to six per person. Tickets will also be available to collect in person from Ticketmaster’s outlets in Derry. Admission to the event is by ticket only.

Anyone who has purchased a ticket for the event will be entitled to a refund from their point of purchase.

Ruth Mackenzie, London 2012 Festival Director, said: “The Peace One Day Global Truce 2012 concert in Derry/Londonderry will be a spectacular opening for the London 2012 Festival in Northern Ireland, bringing together chart-topping and critically acclaimed acts with the best of localrising talent.

“It will mark the start of twelve weeks of cultural celebrations for this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games and highlight the key theme of how sport and culture can resolve conflict. We are really grateful that thousands of lucky people will now be able to join in the celebration for free.”

Jeremy Gilley, founder of Peace One Day said: “It’s incredible that someone has come forward to make the concert free. I’m delighted. This opens the doors to everyone. It’ll be a wonderful show in a wonderful city.”

Pixie Lott said: “I am really excited to be part of the Peace One Day lineup at Ebrington Square in Derry~Londonderry. It’s a great opportunity for the entire city to come together and celebrate. I have heard that Derry crowds are fantastic so I can’t wait to get on stage and perform. ”

The Guillemots said: “It has been a few years since we last played in Derry~Londonderry and we are really looking forward to being back as part of a great lineup. Ebrington Square is a fantastic venue for what will be a really special night and we have a great show planned. Derry…you are in for a real treat.”

The Peace One Day Global Truce 2012 concert will be the first major event to take place in the former army barracks at Ebrington Parade Ground, situated in the shadow of the Peace Bridge in the heart of Derry~Londonderry’s new cultural quarter. It will be one of the first major events to take place as part of the build-up to Derry~Londonderry City of Culture 2013.