Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Burnham Jams in Kyiv, UK Boosts Music Plan to £45M

8/29/2026

48 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham played “Rusholme Ruffians” on guitar with a Ukrainian soldier in Kyiv.
The jam took place on Monday August 24 during Burnham’s first Ukraine visit as prime minister.
Burnham said music can lift front-line spirits.
The UK raised its Music Plan to £45 million and cut music-venue business rates by 20 percent.

History

Historical Context

On 13 July 1985, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure staged Live Aid, a dual-venue concert that drew an estimated 1.9 billion TV viewers and raised about £150 million for Ethiopia’s famine. Nearly four decades later, on 24 August 2024, British politician Andy Burnham played guitar with Ukrainian soldier Oleksiy in Kyiv, using music to boost morale and signal solidarity.

1 of 2

Story summary

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham played “Rusholme Ruffians” on guitar with a Ukrainian soldier in Kyiv.
The jam took place on Monday August 24 during Burnham’s first Ukraine visit as prime minister.
Burnham said music can lift front-line spirits.
The UK raised its Music Plan to £45 million and cut music-venue business rates by 20 percent.

1 / 2