Look To The Stars News: Coldplay

Paul McCartney Honored As MusiCares Person Of The Year

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Beatles legend Paul McCartney was honored as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year at a special event in Los Angeles on Friday, celebrating his exceptional artistic achievements as well as his philanthropic work.

The sold-out tribute to McCartney benefits MusiCares’ emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery programs. Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute — now in its 22nd year — provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that members of the music community have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Hosted by Eddie Izzard, performers included Cirque du Soleil, Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, James Taylor, Diana Krall, Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Sergio Mendes and Katy Perry. The evening also featured a special performance by 14-time GRAMMY winning artist and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Paul McCartney.

Stars Donate To Grammy Charity Online Auctions

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0000

In celebration of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, the Grammy Charity Online Auctions are open now through Feb. 23.

Presented in partnership with Kompolt, the auctions provide bidders an opportunity to bid on approximately 100 exclusive items, including once-in-a-lifetime VIP experiences, memorabilia from world-renowned celebrities, and official Grammy merchandise autographed by artists during Grammy Week.

Featured items will be available for bid in two cycles, including a 2012 Vans Warped Tour three-day/three-city VIP experience, including the chance to ride on the official tour bus; private guitar lessons with Phil Collen of Def Leppard and Manraze, and Diamond Rio’s Jimmy Olander; and official Grammy merchandise autographed backstage at the 54th Grammy Awards rehearsals and telecast by celebrity participants. This year’s performers include Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, and Taylor Swift, among others.

Stars To Come Out For Paul McCartney At Charity Gala

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

An impressive star-studded cast will come together to honor 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Paul McCartney during a sold-out gala on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles, two days prior to the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Hosted by actor/comedian Eddie Izzard, artists set to perform are current GRAMMY nominees Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Katy Perry; GRAMMY-winning artists Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Diana Krall, James Taylor, and Neil Young with Crazy Horse; two-time Latin GRAMMY-winning artist Sergio Mendes; and the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “Love” Beatles tribute show. The evening will also feature a special performance by McCartney.

The 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year gala, which will celebrate McCartney’s exceptional artistic achievements and philanthropic work, will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction sponsored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation that will offer an exclusive selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The auction will be followed by a gala dinner sponsored by AEG Live, and a star-studded tribute concert sponsored by Acura/ELS. This year’s red-carpet press arrivals will be sponsored by Kinect for Xbox 360 and Dance Central 2. Other event supporters include CenterStaging — A SoundCheck LA Company, Classic Wines of California, Delta Airlines, Double Platinum, Gibson, Global Art, Heineken, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Jackson Limo, Korbel, Patron Spirits Company, Pepsi, and Sweetwater.

Gwyneth Paltrow And Coldplay Donate To Charity Pub Quiz Auction

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Academy-award winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow was among a host of stars who donated items for auction at an annual Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RLNI) Pub Quiz, organized for RNLI SOS Day, the charity’s largest fundraising day.

Stars Line Up For The Return Of The Secret Policeman's Ball

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +0000

The Secret Policeman’s Ball is back – and its heading for America!

Amnesty International’s legendary charity show – featuring a plethora of music and comedy talent – will hit the Radio City Music Hall on March 4. Organizers have confirmed Coldplay, Russell Brand, Mumford & Sons, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and Reggie Watts as part of the lineup, with more to come.

“We are so happy to be involved with the 2012 Secret Policeman’s Ball,” said Chris Martin of Coldplay. “We have followed and supported Amnesty International – and the amazing work they do around the world in the field of human rights – for years, and it is a pleasure to be asked to contribute to such an inspiring event.”

Coldplay To Play Charity Gig In Los Angeles

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Coldplay will perform live at a special iHeartRadio Benefit Concert on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012 at Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE.

Proceeds from the show will benefit A Place Called Home and Youth Mentoring Connection, two Los Angeles based youth charities. The iHeartRadio benefit concert will be presented by Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Los Angeles radio stations KIIS FM, 98-7fm and MYFM.

Coldplay, the seven time Grammy award winning group, is known for their activism and international charity work. The group released their fifth album, Mylo Xyloto, in October 2011 and also performed at the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

DoSomething.org Announces Top 20 Celebs Gone Good 2011

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

DoSomething.org, one of the largest U.S. organizations that helps teens take action on causes they care about, released today its fourth annual ‘Top 20 Celebs Gone Good’ list.

Lady Gaga continues her reign as the star who uses her celebrity to do the most good. Known for her support of gay rights, AIDS, and poverty, she focused primarily this year on bullying, even taking her thoughts to the White House in December. She also announced the creation of her own charity, the Born This Way Foundation, which aims to empower youth and lead them to a brave new society where each individual is accepted and loved as the person they were born to be.

Making a meteoric rise to number two this year is Justin Bieber, up from number 10 last year. His fast rise is due to his prolific work with Pencils of Promise, an organization that builds schools in Laos and Guatemala. Justin is also a consistent supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, raised funds for charity with his fragrance and holiday album, and recently distributed $100,000 to Whitney Elementary School in Las Vegas.

Hugh Jackman And Mariah Carey Join Made With Pencils Celebrity Charity Campaign

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

This holiday season, Pencils of Promise (PoP), a nonprofit whose mission is to build schools in the developing world, is launching their Made with Pencils campaign. The Made with Pencils campaign allows the world’s leading cultural curators and artistic minds to produce original works made from pencils that will be auctioned off to build new schools.

Beginning November 30, these one-of-a-kind creations will be auctioned on the Pencils of Promise website, so supporters can not only purchase an expression of iconic inspiration, but also play an active role in producing schools in the developing world. All funds raised go directly to building schools and educating children around the world.

Participants include leaders across all industries. In the entertainment sector Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Hugh Jackman, Lil’ John, Russell Simmons, Olivia Wilde, Lea Michele and Sophia Bush have all created original works. Sports superstars Shaquille O’Neal, David Freese and Steve Nash have contributed. Fashion gurus and designers Cynthia Rowley, Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan are participating, as are artists Joe Fenton, Jon Burgerman and Stephen Wiltshire. Other noteworthy individuals include television journalist Katie Couric and Chelsea Clinton. Many additional prominent actors, performers and creators are confirmed to participate and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Stars Donate Items To Grammy Charity Auction

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:15:00 +0000

The GRAMMY Charity Black Friday Sale — a post-Thanksgiving closeout including all-new “buyitnow” bargains and slashed prices on amazing celebrity autographed memorabilia and VIP experiences — is perfect for the music lover in your life!

The auction launched on Black Friday, Nov. 25, and will continue until Dec. 5 at www.ebay.com/grammy. Presented in partnership with Kompolt, all proceeds raised through this special auction will benefit programs and services of MusiCares and the Grammy Foundation.

Arsenal To Play For Charity This Weekend

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Arsenal Football Club has announced it is dedicating its Premier League match against Fulham this Saturday, 26th November (kick-off 5.30pm), to its Global Charity Partner, Save the Children.

The partnership with Save the Children is aimed at helping the poorest children get a better start in life and give them the chance to grow and fulfil their potential.

As part of the day, players will be donating a day’s wages along with many Arsenal staff to help raise funds for the charity. Supporters are also encouraged to get involved and give what they can to contribute to the partnership which will help to support a range of education projects in the UK and overseas.

Colplay's Chris Martin To Play Charity Show Tonight

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland will be headlining a special charity show on Thursday 24 November, completing the line up for Little Noise Sessions 2011.

Manchester band Elbow last night kicked off this year’s Little Noise Sessions – a series of gigs in aid of Mencap.

The gig was the last of this year for the Mercury Prize-winning band. Frontman Guy Garvey said that it was the 20th year that the band had been performing together and led the audience in a sing-along of ‘Happy Birthday’ to Elbow.

Coldplay To Host Celebrity Charity Concert

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:10:00 +0000

Coldplay will host Under 1 Roof, a benefit concert in support of the charity Kids Company at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London, on December 10.

The band will join stars such as Tinie Tempah, Emeli Sandé, Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan at the show to raise money for the charity, which with vulnerable children and young people in some of the most deprived areas of London.

“Kids Company is a phenomenal organisation that is very close to our hearts,” says Chris Martin and the band. “We hope that people get behind the event to raise as much money for Kids Company as possible. On our side, we can promise anyone that buys a ticket that they’ll be part of a very special night.”

Lady Gaga And Hugh Laurie To Take Part In Gary Barlow's Celebrity Charity Concert

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:05:00 +0000

Gary Barlow is bringing together the biggest and brightest stars of the music industry for BBC Children in Need Rocks Manchester, a one-off concert to help change young lives in the UK.

Performing live will be an international stellar line-up including Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, JLS, Elbow, N Dubz, Hugh Laurie, Snow Patrol, Michael Buble and the fabulous Lady Gaga!

The concert will take place on Thursday 17 November – the evening before the charity’s Appeal Night – at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester.

The Nature Conservancy Names The Greenest Bands Ever

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

In honor of the 10th Anniversary of the legendary Austin City Limits Festival, a new list recognizes bands that are making great music while fighting to save the planet

If there’s anything Austin knows, it’s live music. But as important as entertainment is, The Nature Conservancy understands the impact all those tour buses and visitors can have on our environment. That’s why The Nature Conservancy loves bands that not only talk the talk, but walk the walk – the green walk, that is. Check out some of the organization’s favorite eco-friendly acts, all of whom have graced a stage at the Austin City Limits Festival during its 10-year run.

“A recent nationwide poll by The Nature Conservancy found that musicians are among the top three most powerful influencers on environmental issues for America’s youth,” said Laura Huffman, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Texas. “Music really does have the power to change the world. This is why these artists and events like ACL, which has incorporated a green message into just about every aspect of the festival, are massively important for educating and inspiring our next generation of environmental leaders.”

Stars Step Up For Save The Children East Africa Appeal

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Yesterday saw the launch of a ground-breaking celebrity charity social media campaign, ’I’m Gonna Be Your Friend’ supported by many of the world’s most famous names in entertainment and their fans, including Beyoncé Knowles, Annie Lennox and Sting.

A global audience close to 600 million Facebook and Twitter fans will be able to view a short film of the crisis in East Africa created by award-winning director Kevin MacDonald from footage of East Africa. The film is set to the 1973 Bob Marley & The Wailers song ‘High Tide or Low Tide’ and will reach over a billion people.

The campaign was developed to support Save the Children’s fundraising for the devastating food crisis affecting millions of children and their families across East Africa.

Vanessa Calton Attends Grammy Camp For Charity

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

On August 7, the New York installment of GRAMMY Camp will culminated with a launch party at Best Buy Theater in Times Square featuring original performances and video presentations created by students during GRAMMY Camp, as well as a networking session with several industry professionals and artists.

Guest professionals and artists who attended the launch party included GRAMMY winners Scott Jacoby, engineer/mixer; Angela Hunte-Wisner, songwriter; and Andres Levin, producer; GRAMMY-nominated artists Marsha Ambrosius and Vanessa Carlton; Dan Cherry, chief marketing officer, New York Cosmos; Phylicia Fant, vice president of publicity, Warner Bros. Records; Jeff Franzel, songwriter/composer; Jeanne Meyer, executive vice president of corporate communications, Current Media; Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation; and Rusty Rueff, Vice Chair, GRAMMY Foundation Board.

This year the GRAMMY Foundation selected 111 talented high school students from 93 cities across the United States to participate in the seventh annual GRAMMY Camp. GRAMMY Camp in New York was held in Brooklyn, N.Y., from Aug. 2–8 as a seven-day residential program for high school students that offers campers the opportunity to work in integrated industry teams in the following three fields: Music Business & Production, Singer/Songwriter, and Performance — Instrumental or Vocal. This real-world, hands-on environment involved an in-depth look at the entire creative process from the first spark of original material through the promotion of a finished song. GRAMMY Camp Los Angeles took place July 9–18 at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

Oxfam Ready For The Glastonbury Mud

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:30:00 +0000

It’s described as the scourge of British summer music festivals but new research by festival veteran Oxfam, a Glastonbury charity partner for 18 years, suggests that festival mud is very much embraced by music lovers and is even regarded as iconic.

This is good news for the charity which is asking festival-goers to ‘get your hands dirty’ as part of its new Grow campaign that aims to fix the broken food system that leaves billions hungry every day. The iconic music festival takes place this weekend, with performers this year including U2, Coldplay, Beyoncé Knowles, Morrissey, the Kaiser Chiefs, KT Tunstall and many more.

According to Oxfam, nearly three quarters of festival-goers (71%) aren’t put off by the muddy prospect of bad weather. When asked to pick the top three things they most associate with British music festivals, over a third of adults across Britain (36%) regard mud as an iconic element of British music festivals. Northern festival goers were the keenest of all on a muddy festival with almost a quarter (22%) of them embracing mud as ‘all part of the experience’, compared to only 11 per cent of Southern and just 7 per cent of London festival-goers.

Stars Donate Items To Celebrity Charity Auction To Help Joplin

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

A number of stars – including Johnny Depp, Yoko Ono, Patricia Arquette, Bono, Jeff Probst, Justin Timberlake, Eminem and Jack Johnson – have donated items to a great auction raising money for the people of Joplin, the Missouri town where an estimated 30% of the buildings were destroyed and over 150 people were killed by a tornado on May 22.

Items going under the hammer include an book about U2 signed by Bono, a script signed by the cast of General Hospital, a rare Lady Gaga Born This Way picture disc, posters signed by Ry Cooder and Martina McBride, a basket ball signed by the Lakers, a guitar signed by Foreigner, the chance to meet Coldplay, Maroon 5 and Uncle Cracker, the chance to Skype with OneRepublic and much more. Sean Lennon has donated a signed guitar, while Yoko Ono has signed a photo of her with John Lennon.

Proceeds from the auction will go to United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. Last week, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt donated $500,000 to the people of Joplin in the wake of the tornado.

Celebrity Guitar Picks Auctioned For Charity

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

A group of musicians have donated their guitar plectrums to a very special celebrity charity auction.

The auction includes guitar picks donated by stars such as Mark Ronson, Paul Weller, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Depeche Mode, Coldplay, Duran Duran, Emmylou Harris, James Blunt, Dave Stewart, Paramore, Jamie Cullum, Razorlight and many more.

The auction will benefit two very important charities – Trekstock, which supports young people with cancer, and LIFEbeat, which educates young people about HIV/AIDS prevention.

Music Therapy Hits A Chord With Celebrities

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:00:00 +0000

For patients battling cancer, music therapy can strike the right chord. Clear Channel Radio and City of Hope will hit all the high notes with the launch of Play For Life, a national campaign to raise funds to support City of Hope’s lifesaving cancer research and music therapy programs.

“Play For Life” features online auctions for one-of-a-kind experiences with top recording stars Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Matthew Morrison, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Linkin Park, Enrique Iglesias and others.

From now through June 30, listeners can visit the websites of 790 Clear Channel radio stations across the country as well as iHeartRadio.com, the website for Clear Channel Radio’s industry-leading digital radio service, to bid in the auctions. Proceeds will support cancer research at City of Hope and the institution’s music therapy program, which helps patients with cancer and other serious illnesses reduce pain and physical discomfort, develop coping skills, enhance relaxation and promote positive thinking.

Play For Life And Meet Justin Bieber

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Play For Life – the cross-media marketing platform backed by Clear Channel and Universal Music – wants you to meet your favorite stars and help charity.

This spring, Play For Life has teamed up with City of Hope – a global leader in cancer research and treatment – for a fantastic new celebrity charity auction. Play For Life is raising funds for pioneering cancer research as well as City of Hope’s music therapy program, which uses the power of music to enhance health and well-being for cancer patients – including teens and children battling the disease.

You can help City of Hope find a cure by bidding on a series of once-in-a-lifetime music experiences. Some of the artists taking part include Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Linkin Park, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Rascal Flatts, New Kids On The Block, Enrique Iglesias, Carrie Underwood, Colbie Caillat, Bret Michaels, Barry Manilow, 3 Doors Down and many more.

EMI Artists Band Together For Japan

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Artists and songwriters from one of the biggest music companies in the world, EMI, have united for an incredible worldwide celebrity charity auction of personal items and memorabilia to raise funds to help the Red Cross support people affected by last month’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The charity auction, which will be managed by eBay, features items from some of the world’s biggest stars, including Coldplay, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Garth Brooks, George Harrison, Darius Rucker, John Lennon, Gorillaz, Iron Maiden, Jane Birkin, the Beach Boys, David Guetta, Michael Franti, Lady Antebellum, The Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Celtic Woman, 30 Seconds To Mars, Rosanne Cash, Daft Punk, Herbert Grönemeyer, Angela Gheorghiu, Keith Urban, Good Charlotte and The Beatles.

Miranda Kerr Hijacks MySpace For Earth Hour

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

With just a day to go before hundreds of millions of people around the globe come together for Earth Hour, Victoria’s Secret supermodel Miranda Kerr will bring her passion for the sustainability of our planet to Myspace as the company’s latest celebrity ‘Hijack’.

Miranda Kerr is one of the most photographed and recognizable faces worldwide. Aside from her work commitments as an international model and businesswoman, Miranda works tirelessly to use her voice and influence to make a positive difference in the world. This year, the new mother joins forces with WWF’s Earth Hour and Myspace to unite people across the globe to work together with common purpose to protect the one thing we all have in common – the planet.

Kerr was named as an ambassador for Earth Hour 2011 earlier this month.

Damien Hirst Puts The Squeeze On Charity

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

An exclusive set of instruments customized by Damien Hirst and created especially for British band Squeeze, will take centre stage when the band perform at Concerts for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall on 22 March 2011.

Squeeze will be joined by a 30 piece orchestra and long-time friends and collaborators The Feeling, on the second night of Teenage Cancer Trust’s 2011 series of fundraising concerts at the iconic venue. 

 The Damien Hirst collection features two ‘Spot Guitars’, a Fender Telecaster and a Fender Stratocaster, as well as a Yamaha ‘Spot Drum Kit’. All the instruments are hand painted by Hirst with his iconic spot design and signed by the artist himself.

Miranda Kerr Announced As Earth Hour 2011 Ambassador

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:05:00 +0000

Australian model Miranda Kerr has announced that she is a global ambassador for Earth Hour 2011.

“Each of us has a responsibility for the sustainability of our planet and each of us can make a difference if we choose to do so,” says Miranda, the wife of Orlando Bloom “I am pleased to be a global Ambassador for Earth Hour this year and I personally will be participating in Earth Hour on 26 March 2011, and will continue to adopt sustainability practices thereafter in my everyday life. Together we can make a difference.”

Earth Hour is a global annual event created by the WWF that asks households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. Miranda joins present and previous ambassadors for Earth Hour including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, actress Cate Blanchett, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, Sir Tom Jones, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Edward Norton and many more.