The Making of Help 2: A Star-Studded Charity Album for Warchild

Thu Jan 29 2026 21:16:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Dive into the behind-the-scenes action of Help 2, the new charity album featuring over 30 prominent artists. Discover how music stars came together to support children affected by war.

In a heartwarming effort to aid children affected by war, some of music's biggest names gathered at Abbey Road Studios in London to create Help 2, a charity album for Warchild. With contributions from artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Damon Albarn, and Pulp, the album features a collection of original songs and unexpected collaborations. The project reflects not only musical creativity but also the urgent need for support in a world where millions of children are affected by conflict.

Behind the scenes of Help 2, the star-studded charity album

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, 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 just turned up, so I thought, 'Why not? he laughs. I'm not used to that kind of thing, but it was really good.

The album is the spiritual successor to 1995's Help! - recorded at the height of Britpop, and featuring contributions from Paul Weller, Radiohead, Suede, Paul McCartney, and The KLF.

It was also, famously, the only time Oasis and Blur appeared on the same record, just months after their legendary (and acrimonious) chart battle. We'll put aside our differences for the cause, Noel Gallagher said at the time. And it's the only time you'll see us agreeing on anything. The record sold 70,000 copies in its first week, raising nearly £1.25m to help children in war-stricken areas.

In 2025, the fundraising is even more urgent. According to Warchild, 520 million children worldwide are affected by war, with simultaneous crises in Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza. The figure is higher than any time since the Second World War.

The first single, released on Thursday, is a new track by Arctic Monkeys called Opening Night. A sparse, sinister ballad, the song dates back a couple of years, but getting the call from Warchild prompted the band to complete the song.

The recording sessions were further enlivened by a film crew of children aged between eight and ten, who documented the entire process. The presence of the kids, directed by Bafta-winning filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, was thought to connect the music back to the young people it aimed to help.

Cocker, initially uncomfortable with being filmed, found the children's presence liberating and impactful on the recording atmosphere. This creative spontaneity ultimately characterizes the contribution from Pulp as well as many tracks on Help 2.

The album will be released on March 6, with all profits going to Warchild. Thanks to the contributions from record labels and pressing plants, the album's price will be kept affordable, making it accessible for more audiences while supporting a noble cause.