The Other Songs Raises 400,000 for BRIT School at London Palladium

When the lights dimmed at the London Palladium last month, the venue transformed into a stage for philanthropy. The Other Songs, an independent music and entertainment firm founded by brothers Alastair and Billy Webber, staged The Other Songs Live and drew in a record‑setting £400,000 for the BRIT School.

The show assembled a surprise lineup that blended seasoned songwriting legends with fresh talent. Nile Rodgers, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cathy Dennis, Justin Tranter and Zach Nahome shared the stage with BRIT alumni Selorm Adonu and Cush Jumbo. Adding to the star power, fellow alumni Rex Orange County and Sam Ryder made unannounced appearances. The event was promoted by AEG Presents and brought sponsorship from The Orchard, Universal Music Publishing Group, PRS For Music, Simons Muirhead Burton and Spotify.

All proceeds—ticket sales, sponsorships and donations—were earmarked for the BRIT School, the free‑to‑attend performing‑arts secondary school in Croydon that nurtures more than 1,400 young artists each year. The school opened in 1991 with backing from the Brit Trust and the British Phonographic Industry and has since produced a roster of award‑winning alumni.

Notable former pupils include Adele, Amy Winehouse, Tom Holland, Jessie J, Leona Lewis, Raye, members of The Kooks, FKA twigs, Loyle Carner and Ella Eyre. Together, these alumni have amassed 15 Brit Awards, 19 Grammys and two Oscars, including three winners at the 2026 Grammys in Los Angeles.

At the 2026 BRIT Awards in Manchester, BRIT School alumna Olivia Dean was named Artist of the Year, won Album of the Year for The Art of Loving and, with Sam Fender, took Song of the Year for “Rein Me In.” Dean, Raye and Lola Young were also shortlisted for Pop Act of the Year. The school’s free‑access model was highlighted by speakers throughout the evening.

Today, the BRIT School enrolls 1,450 pupils aged 14 to 19. Its curriculum blends creative arts specialisms—digital arts, costume design, musical theatre and backstage production—with a solid academic programme of GCSEs, vocational qualifications and A‑levels. The 2024 Ofsted inspection rated the institution “Outstanding” in all five categories.

Despite government funding, the school still requires an additional £2,300 per pupil each year, amounting to £3.4 million annually. The £400,000 raised at The Other Songs Live helps bridge this gap and keeps the free‑access model viable.

The event also served as a platform to spotlight the decline in arts education funding. The Other Songs invited MPs and government representatives to the Palladium to witness the impact of free arts education firsthand. Former pupils Archie Madekwe and DJ Ace attended, underscoring the event’s reach across creative sectors.

Alastair Webber, CEO of The Other Songs, described the concert as “about kick‑starting a national movement around free access to arts education.” Principal Stuart Worden added that the funds will “help the next generation of artists train and go on to change the world with their beautiful creativity.”

The partnership between the BRIT School and The Other Songs demonstrates how industry‑led events can provide critical financial support while celebrating alumni achievements and the broader creative community.

The £400,000 will be allocated to the BRIT School’s operating budget, ensuring that the institution can continue to offer free, high‑quality arts education to young people across the UK.