In light of rising anti-immigrant sentiment around the country, a benefit concert in support of the Irish Refugee Council has been announced at Dublin’s Fibber Magees for Monday, April 17th at 8pm.

Dubbed ‘The Variety Show’, the charity gig will feature rising artists Anemoia, WifeSwap, Petrichor and Mabel Thew. Proceedings from the show will aid the Irish Refugee Council, which is celebrating 30 years of supporting refugees who have escaped persecution to find new homes.

“The ongoing refugee crisis has seen a falloff in media coverage in recent weeks, overshadowed by many pressing issues in Ireland. However, this crisis is still a travesty of international proportions that is affecting countless lives,” a press release for the charity concert states. “Failings of the government have led to 400 newly arrived asylum seekers being left unhoused according to recent reports, and we believe that this issue deserves to remain at the forefront of our media and consciousness.”

The Irish Refugee Council provided support to 11,000 people over the past year, according to their 2022 Impact Report. The organisation also recorded a substantial increase in people that needed their services last year, with their helplines receiving 24,000 calls in addition to 5,000 email queries, the latter being an increase of 733% for the service since 2021.

🆕Our 2022 Impact Report is released today.

The Report shows our impact during an exceptional year: direct support to 11,000+ people & over 24,000 calls to our helplines.
2023 brings new challenges including supporting homeless protection applicants.

🔗 https://t.co/5EwDvwSQox pic.twitter.com/G3UvFnCXdh

— Irish Refugee Council (@IrishRefugeeCo) March 27, 2023

“We are indebted to the Irish and all our supporters for supporting us in delivering on our mission throughout 2022," the Impact Report states. "The invaluable support we received and continue to receive has enabled us to be there for the people we work with through one of the most challenging times in our 30 years of existence.”

Tickets for ‘The Variety Show’ are €5 and can be purchased online here.