BRITISH indie singer-songwriter Joy Crookes performed live from her bathroom to raise money for international charity WaterAid on Tuesday (12). She joined other talented artists including Pixie Lott for the event.
The London-based 21-year-old Crookes brought her neo soul sound to the sessions. The other artists performed their sets from their bathrooms as part of the five-part 'Bathroom Sessions' series were Maverick Sabre, Annika Rose, Poppy Ajudha, Rhys Lewis, Josh Barry, and Bomba Estėreo x Crystal Fighters x The Busy Twist.
Artists raised awareness of WaterAid’s lifesaving work and encouraged donations to its emergency appeal to help vulnerable communities protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19.
Launched last week, the event highlights the women and girls around the world who spend hours each day walking to collect water for their families.
“I’m proud to be a part of the Bathroom Sessions line up. Times are tough at the moment and I’m inspired by the different ways people are supporting each other and helping make a difference. By raising money for WaterAid, we can help get clean soap and good hygiene knowledge to vulnerable communities around the world, so they are better able to protect themselves against the spread of disease," Joy Crookes said.
Crookes' mother is a Bangladeshi and father Irish. She had spoken about the influence her heritage has had on her music videos. Earlier, she has been nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Brit Awards.
WaterAid’s Bathroom Sessions was launched on 7 May, followed by an eclectic mix of music on 12 May. There will be an Electronic session on 15 May, headlined by Fabio & Grooverider, and then a Global session on 18 May, headlined by Stonebwoy.
WaterAid is racing to reach communities with clean water, handwashing facilities, and information about good hand hygiene. Its activities include placing loudspeakers on auto rickshaws to impart hygiene tips in India, providing contactless handwashing stations in Bangladesh, and spreading hand hygiene messages in regional and local languages through radio in Pakistan.
The charity is working to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation.
Kamal Pankhania
