Fatboy Slim announces plans for a free concert for NHS staff following lockdown

Fatboy Slim has announced he plans to stage a free concert for NHS and key workers once the COVID-19 lockdown is over.

The DJ, 56, real name Norman Cook, will hold the special gig in his hometown of Brighton later this year.

Discussing his plans on Friday’s Good Morning Britain, Fatboy Slim told hosts Ben Shephard and Ranvir Singh that ‘It just felt nice to do something to thank the key workers.’

He said of his plans: ‘My job is mainly about escapism and frivolity but also it’s kind of the opposite of social distancing.

‘You know everything about my job is about people coming together in large, unhealthy clusters so I’m kind of fairly redundant right now, but I did want to do something and obviously escapism and frivolity is something that’s short on the ground and so it just felt nice to do something to thank the key workers.

‘I mean it started, some friends of mine who work for the NHS said “Will you do a little film just to cheer people up?” and then I jokingly said at the end of it “When this is all over we should have a big party and dance together”, and they kind of took me up on that.’

The music star, formerly married to Zoe Ball, revealed that his gig is to be held at the Brighton Centre in October, with the concert not only for NHS workers, but extended to police, fire, ambulance workers and blue light staff among others – in addition to their plus ones. 

The star also opened up about the power of music during lockdown, adding that music brings a sense of ‘community and togetherness’ and helps to ‘lift spirits’. 

‘Music has always just been a very powerful way of bringing a sense of community and a sense of togetherness’ he explained.

‘Even though it’s not physical togetherness, you can unite loving a song or enjoying a song; you can feel in touch with the artist who made it or the other people who like it without actually physically being in the room with them. 

‘So I think music has always been very important to lift people’s spirits or rally us together. It is, I suppose, just as important right now. What I think this country needs is an anthem like We’ll Meet Again to lift us, to get us through this.’ 

The free concert will be held on Wednesday October 28, with 5,000 (free of charge) tickets available on Ticketmaster from 7pm on Friday April 17. 

Fatboy Slim’s reveal comes just days after Liam Gallagher announced a free concert at London’s 02 Arena for NHS staff working on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis. 

The former Oasis frontman, 47, took to his Instagram to reveal the news last Friday, as he gushed that it was ‘an honour’ to put on the show as ‘we are very lucky’ to have them during this global pandemic.

Taking place on October 29, all staff who work in NHS hospitals in the UK will be eligible for two free tickets to the show for themselves and a guest.

Sharing his delight about the show, Liam said: ‘It’s an honour to announce that I will be doing a gig for the NHS and careworkers at London’s TheO2 on October 29th. They do an incredible job, we are very lucky to have them. LG x’

It has yet to be confirmed if any other musicians will join Liam on stage at the show, and tickets went on ‘sale’ from 9am on Wednesday 15 April 2020.

Liam and Fatboy Slim are just some of the stars who have announced free shows for NHS workers, with the Manic Street Preachers and The Script to name a few.