Arctic Monkeys release ‘Opening Night’ as War Child confirm star-studded tracklist for ‘Help (2)’
Arctic Monkeys have returned with their first single in four years, ‘Opening Night’, in aid of War Child.
The new single, which was officially confirmed on January 20th after weeks of teasing from Arctic Monkeys and War Child, is part of the charity’s new compilation, Help (2), set for release on March 6th, 2026.
In 1995, a number of the biggest artists came together at Abbey Road Studios to record the original Help compilation in aid of War Child, and 30 years later, a new string of musical greats descended on the famous studio to recreate history.
The project has been overseen by executive producer James Ford. According to a press release, it was recorded predominantly across one week at Abbey Road in November 2025.
The full list of contributiing artists are Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys, 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.
Notable songs that are set to appear on the forthcoming release include ‘Flags’, that sees Damon Albarn team up with Fontaines DC frontman Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest, as well as featuring Johnny Marr.
Albarn’s Blur bandmate Graham Coxon has teamed up with English Teacher on ‘Parasite’, and assisted on Olivia Rodrigo’s cover of Peter Gabriel’s ‘The Book of Love’.
Meanwhile, Fontaines DC have contributed a cover of Sinéad O’Connor’s classic track, ‘Black Boys on Mopeds’ to the forthcoming compilation.
In a statement, Arctic Monkeys said of their involvement, “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.”
Ford added, “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 producer continued, “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.”
Additionally, Oscar-winning The Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer served as the creative director for the project, overseeing the art and creative direction.
Glazer said that it was “a privilege to be part of bringing a team together to film this incredible collective effort.”
Meanwhile, Rich Clarke, Head of Music at War Child UK, has described Help (2) as “more than an album” and “a powerful example of what can happen when the music industry comes together around a shared purpose”.
Clarke is hopeful that it “not only raises vital funds, but also awareness of the urgent need to turn compassion into action and do more to protect children living through war.”
While ‘Opening Night’ marks the first piece of material to be released by Arctic Monkeys since The Car in 2022, it appears for now to be a one-off release rather than signalling a new chapter for the band.
For more information on the work that War Child do in places of need, such as Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, visit here. Help (2) can also be pre-ordered here.
The full tracklist can be viewed below.
Help (2) tracklist:
- Arctic Monkeys – ‘Opening Night’
- Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest – ‘Flags’
- Black Country, New Road – ‘Strangers’
- The Last Dinner Party – ‘Let’s do it again!’
- Beth Gibbons – ‘Sunday Morning’
- Arooj Aftab & Beck – ‘Lilac Wine’
- King Krule – ‘The 343 Loop’
- Depeche Mode – ‘Universal Soldier’
- Ezra Collective and Greentea Peng – ‘Helicopters’
- Arlo Parks – ‘Nothing I Could Hide’
- English Teacher and Graham Coxon – ‘Parasite’
- Beabadoobee – ‘Say Yes’
- Big Thief – ‘Relive, Redie’
- Fontaines DC – ‘Black Boys on Mopeds’
- Cameron Winter – ‘Warning’
- Young Fathers – ‘Don’t Fight the Young’
- Pulp – ‘Begging for Change’
- Sampha – ‘Naboo’
- Wet Leg – ‘Obvious’
- Foals – ‘When the War is Finally Done’
- Bat For Lashes – ‘Carried My Girl’
- Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya and Dove Ellis – ‘Sunday Light’
- Olivia Rodrigo – ‘The Book of Love’
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