Credits: Big Give & Matthew Gaskin Photography
Ireland’s Other Voices Partners with UK’s Big Give to Launch Earth Raise: An Ambitious Live Event for the Planet
Aisling Bea, Annie Mac, Declan McKenna, Jacob Alon and Big Give’s James Reed CBE Take Part
Big Give’s 2025 Green Match Fund Raises a Record-Breaking £8.1 Million
On 22 April 2025, Other Voices curated the artistic programme for the celebrated launch of Earth Raise Live – a powerful evening of music, comedy and conversation in aid of our planet.
Taking place on World Earth Day in the historic surroundings of Wilton’s Music Hall in London, Earth Raise Live marked the launch of Big Give’s Green Match Fund 2025 – a nationwide campaign that has already raised a record-breaking £8.1 million. Running from 22–29 April, the campaign saw over 36,000 donations from the public, matched by a coalition of philanthropic partners and individual donors. A total of 307 environmental organisations – including Surfers Against Sewage, Rewilding Britain and Cool Earth Action – received vital support. Also unveiled on the night was Big Give’s bold new vision for 2026: the rebranding of the campaign as Earth Raise, and the creation of a landmark, live televised cultural event designed to unite audiences through music, storytelling and environmental action – and in doing so, raising even greater support for the charities working to protect our planet.
Harnessing the power of music and storytelling
Other Voices was proud to be invited to curate the Earth Raise Live launch, with a programme that brought together powerful performance and meaningful messaging in the iconic space of London’s oldest surviving music hall. The evening was hosted by broadcaster and DJ Annie Macmanus, who guided the audience through the night’s performances and conversations with her trademark warmth, energy and charm.
The evening opened with a beautiful performance by Jacob Alon, ahead of the release of their highly anticipated debut album In Limerence. This was followed by a sharp and riotously funny stand-up set from comedian, actor and writer Aisling Bea; a stripped-back performance from Declan McKenna, whose recent album What Happened to the Beach? explores themes of environmental uncertainty and hope; and finally, the night was brought to a close with a DJ set from broadcaster and tastemaker Tara Kumar.
The event also featured an informative and uplifting panel discussion hosted by zoologist, conservationist and Springwatch presenter Megan McCubbin, with contributions from Chair of the Trustees of Big Give and CEO of REED James Reed CBE, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage Giles Bristow, and Executive Director of EarthPercent UK Cathy Runciman.
Philip King, Founder of Other Voices, said:
“At Other Voices, we believe in the power of music to move hearts and minds. Earth Raise Live is a rare and brilliant chance to bring artists, audiences and activists together for a shared cause – our planet. We’re proud to support this moment where creativity meets action, and we can’t wait to help turn up the volume on environmental giving.”
Looking ahead to Earth Raise 2026
The success of the 2025 campaign has set the stage for a major step forward. From next year, Big Give’s environmental campaign will be known as Earth Raise, and Other Voices will continue to work alongside Big Give and partners to shape Earth Raise Live 2026 – an annual, live broadcast event uniting artists, comedians, musicians, and environmental voices from across Ireland, the UK and beyond.
James Reed CBE, Chair of the Trustees of Big Give and CEO of REED, said:
“Having smashed through the record-breaking £8m mark, we have bold ambitions to make the campaign, under its new Earth Raise name, the single biggest environmental fundraising campaign on the planet for the planet… Earth Raise Live will become the defining event for environmental fundraising.”
This incredibly special and meaningful event was made possible with the support of Reed, EarthPercent, Waterbear, and the Environmental Funders Network.
About Other Voices
Other Voices is a Dingle-based music platform and production company known for creating intimate and impactful cultural experiences. With a focus on connection, creativity and community, Other Voices celebrates the power of music and storytelling to reflect the world around us and inspire change.