Behind the Scenes of the Star-Studded Charity Album 'Help 2'

Wed Feb 04 2026 07:00:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Dive into the making of 'Help 2,' the highly anticipated charity album featuring over 30 top artists, including Olivia Rodrigo and Pulp, as they unite to support children affected by war.

The production of 'Help 2' took place at Abbey Road Studios with a remarkable array of musicians collaborating to record a charity album aimed at supporting War Child. The event featured spontaneous performances and interactions between artists while a group of children documented the sessions. The album, designed to raise funds for children affected by war, is a spiritual successor to the notable 'Help!' from 1995 and includes contributions from popular bands and artists like Arctic Monkeys and Blur. 'Help 2' is set for release on March 6, with all profits directed to War Child.

Damon Albarn is standing in the doorway of Abbey Road's canteen, deep in conversation with The Libertines' Carl Barat. Nearby, Pulp are queueing for a fresh batch of lasagne. Around them, half a dozen children are running around, filming everything on handheld cameras. All of them are excitedly awaiting the arrival of Olivia Rodrigo.

These were the scenes in London last November, as some of the world's biggest stars convened to record a new charity album in aid of Warchild. The tracklist, revealed yesterday, is like a who's who of indie rock. Wet Leg, The Last Dinner Party, Wolf Alice, Fontaines DC, Nilüfer Yanya, Cameron Winter, Ezra Collective, Foals and Young Fathers all contribute.

Over the course of one week, 23 tracks were recorded. At times, five of Abbey Road's famed studios were in use, with collaborations springing up on the spur of the moment. Blur's Graham Coxon plays guitar with Rodrigo on a cover of The Magnetic Fields' The Book Of Love. Damon Albarn's session saw him joined by Johnny Marr on guitar, with additional vocals by Kae Tempest and Grian Chatten.

Later in the day, Jarvis Cocker got back from a bathroom break to find them all in his studio - so he got them to sing the intro to a new Pulp song, Begging For Change.

The album is the spritual successor to 1995's Help! - recorded at the height of Britpop, and featuring contributions from Paul Weller, Radiohead, Suede, Paul McCartney, The KLF, Portishead and The Manic Street Preachers. It was also famously the only time Oasis and Blur appeared on the same record, just months after their legendary (and acrimonious) chart battle.

According to Warchild, 520 million children worldwide - almost one in five - are affected by war, with simultaneous crises in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza. This urgent need for fundraising was the motivation behind this exciting new project.

The first single, released on Thursday, is a new track by Arctic Monkeys called Opening Night. A sparse, sinister ballad, it finds Alex Turner singing about political sloganeering and offers a message of hope amidst the darkness.

With film crews of children documenting the sessions, the atmosphere was transformed into one of spontaneity and joy, creating a unique recording experience. The album promises to deliver tracks that not only entertain but also bring awareness to the pressing issues faced by children around the globe.

Help 2 is set to release on March 6, with all profits directed to War Child to aid their cause in helping children affected by conflict.