Billy Nomates added to Gaza benefit show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 20th September.
In solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which launches this week in a bid to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, Billy Bragg has released a new song for Palestine. ‘Hundred Year Hunger’ looks at the current famine that Israel has created in Gaza through the lens of a century of enforced food insecurity and malnutrition imposed on the Palestinian people, firstly by British imperialism, then as a weapon of mass displacement by the state of Israel. It takes its title from the recent book of the same name by E Mark Windle.
Sumud is an Arabic word that translates into English as steadfastness or perseverance. It is used by Palestinians to describe their nonviolent everyday resistance against Israel’s occupation. Sumud emphasises the commitment of the Palestinian people to remain on their land despite hardship and oppression, elevating their everyday existence into a form of resistance. Lan narhal translates as ‘we will not leave’. Together ‘Sumud! Sumud! Lan narhal’ conveys the determination of the Palestinian people to refuse to be displaced.
The track was written by Bragg and recorded at Echo Town Studio, Dorset, featuring Bragg on guitar and vocals, and JJ Stoney on keyboards and backing vocals. The whole thing was engineered, recorded and mixed by Jamie Parker. The book “The Hundred Year Hunger” by E Mark Windle is available from here.
Billy Nomates has been added to the line-up of the previously announced “Days Like These” benefit concert for Gaza at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on Saturday 20 September 2025, raising funds for Amos Trust’s Gaza Appeal. As well as Billy Bragg himself, the event brings together an extraordinary line-up of music, poetry, and spoken word, with performances from:
Billy Nomates
Jamie Webster (solo),
Antony Szmierek,
Reverend & The Makers (acoustic)
Big Special,
Actor and activist Khalid Abdalla,
Palestinian journalist and human rights activist Yara Eid,
Writer, director and academic Ahmed Masoud,
Actor and theatre director Samuel West
Co-founder of Palestinian youth advocacy organisation We Are Not Numbers, Ahmed Alnaouq.
Amos Trust patron, Brian Eno, said, “I’m so pleased to hear that Billy Bragg and friends are putting on a show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Saturday 20th September in support of Amos Trust’s Gaza appeal. It’s part of what’s shaping up to be a powerful week of performances dedicated to supporting the victims of the crisis in Palestine. What astonishes me is that it’s individuals like Billy, his fellow artists, and everyone attending these shows who are really making a difference. Governments are almost nowhere to be seen — out of touch with the people who elected them, the vast majority of whom are calling for an end to the massacre in Gaza.”
This event continues Amos Trust’s 40-year legacy of using art, storytelling and activism to stand in solidarity with marginalised communities. Tickets are available now.
Here’s the song. Bless ya Billy!
Get your history book out.