- 2026-01-23
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MUSIC
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Arctic Monkeys Premieres New Song “Opening Night” on BBC Radio 1
British rock band Arctic Monkeys, consisting of Alex Turner (vocals/guitar), Jamie Cook (guitar/keyboards), Nick O'Malley (bass), and Matt Helders (drums), premiered a new song “Opening Night” on BBC Radio 1's New Music Show with Sian Eleri.
The song is featured on the upcoming collaborative album “HELP(2)”, which is set to be released on March 6, 2026 via War Child Records.
The album is a sequel to the 1995 album “HELP” and will support the charity's efforts to provide aid, education, mental health support, and protection to children affected by conflict.
This time, in addition to Arctic Monkeys, the album features Anna Calvi, Arlo Parks, Arooj Aftab, Bat For Lashes, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Black Country, New Road, Cameron Winter, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Dove Ellis, Ellie Rowsell, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Grian Chatten, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Nilüfer Yanya, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Sampha, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg and Young Fathers.
The album comprises 23 tracks, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London over a week in November 2025 under the guidance of producer James Ford.
The track was written by Alexander David Turner and produced by James Ford and Loren Humphrey.- Arctic Monkeys said of the song, “When James Ford called and asked if we'd contribute to the HELP(2) album we set to work on a song idea and assembled in Abbey Road to record it. We are proud to support the invaluable work War Child do and hope the record will make a positive difference to the lives of children affected by war.”
Producer James Ford said of the album, “I felt incredibly honoured when War Child asked me to work on HELP(2). The original HELP meant a lot to me and to have the opportunity, given the current news cycle, to help galvanise our music community into doing something as unarguably positive as helping children in war zones seemed like a no brainer. The experience of making the album itself has been very powerful, and dare I say life affirming for me personally, against the backdrop of a very difficult year. I'm extremely proud of the results and of the efforts made by all involved. I can't wait for people to hear this very special record.” -
Photo by Phoebe Fox - source : BBC Radio 1
