In the live music industry, gatherings are often built around networking, showcases and deal-making. But increasingly, a different kind of event is emerging — one in which culture, community and creativity are being mobilized in the service of social impact.
One recent example is Shukr, a London event that brought together artists, executives, founders and creatives during Ramadan at Royal Albert Hall (March 3). Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London since 2016, was also in attendance and spoke to the attendees. The evening centred on an iftar gathering – the meal that breaks the daily fast during the holy month – while also raising awareness and supporting organisations including Pillars Fund, a Muslim community foundation, and Road to Freedom, an anti-human trafficking charity.
While the music and entertainment industries have long hosted events that bring together culture and networking, Shukr positions itself slightly differently: as a space where community and creativity can also become a vehicle for philanthropy.
“The idea behind Shukr was to create a space during Ramadan where people from across our industry could come together, break bread and reconnect through shared values of gratitude, generosity, and community,” says Mohammad Qazalbash, vice president of business development at Live Nation Arabia.
“There are many industry events centered around networking, but very few rooted in culture and purpose for Muslims,” he adds. “Shukr was created to bring artists, founders and leaders around one table — not just to celebrate creativity, but to strengthen the community that sits behind it.”
The gathering first debuted in 2025 at London’s 180 House, before expanding to the Royal Albert Hall for its second edition this year. Hosting the event at one of the world’s most recognizable performance venues added symbolic weight to the evening.
“Ramadan is fundamentally about community and reflection, so hosting an iftar felt like the most natural way to bring people together,” Qazalbash says. “Holding it at the Royal Albert Hall made it even more meaningful. It’s one of the world’s most iconic cultural venues, and bringing a Ramadan gathering into that space felt symbolic — a reminder that our cultures and traditions belong in these rooms too.”
Beyond its setting, Shukr also reflects a broader cultural shift. Across the U.K. and globally, music-adjacent spaces are increasingly being used to mobilise communities and raise funds for humanitarian causes.
In the U.K., initiatives like BRITs Week regularly bring major artists into intimate venues across the country to raise funds for children affected by conflict through the charity War Child. Activist movements such as Love Music Hate Racism have similarly used concerts and cultural gatherings to promote anti-racism and social solidarity.
Meanwhile, large-scale events such as the Concert for Ukraine in 2022 with Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, and others on the line up demonstrated how music-led programming can mobilise audiences and fundraising efforts at a national scale. Shukr sits within this growing ecosystem of cultural initiatives — though its focus remains rooted in community-building within the creative industries.
In a moment when the global political climate often feels increasingly polarised, Qazalbash believes cultural gatherings have an important role to play.
“Moments like this matter, because culture has always been one of the few spaces where people can come together beyond politics,” he says. “Music, art and storytelling create shared experiences that remind us of our common humanity.”
Qazalbash says, “When people sit at the same table, share food, listen to music and hear each other’s stories, it becomes much harder to see one another through the lens of division. Shukr isn’t about politics, it’s about people. It’s about building bridges and strengthening communities at a time when the world often feels fragmented.”
The name of the event reflects that ethos. Derived from Arabic, Shukr translates to thankfulness and gratitude: values that shape both the spirit of the gathering and the philanthropic dimension behind it.
Looking ahead, Qazalbash hopes the platform will continue to grow beyond a single evening. Through his work across the live sector, he sees an opportunity for initiatives like this one to help create more supportive spaces for underrepresented communities within the creative industries.
“I’ve been fortunate to work across two regions, and one thing that’s clear to me is that in the U.K. we still have work to do when it comes to creating supported spaces where minority communities in the creative industries can come together,” he says.
He points to organizations like the Black Music Coalition as examples of how community-led platforms can provide mentorship, visibility and opportunity for professionals who might otherwise lack access to industry networks.
“My hope is that in the years to come, Shukr can play a similar role,” he adds. “Bringing Muslims and non-Muslims together through cultural exchange, mentorship and support for emerging talent.”
Like many initiatives that blend culture with community impact, the event also relies heavily on collaboration. This year’s gathering was made possible with support from the Royal Albert Hall alongside partners including Huda Beauty and Enchanted by Syma, who helped bring the evening to life.
For Qazalbash, that collaborative spirit is central to Shukr’s future. “The event wouldn’t be possible without partners who believed in the idea from the beginning,” he says.
At a time when the world often feels fragmented, gatherings like Shukr offer a reminder of what cultural spaces can achieve. When music, community, and purpose intersect, even a single evening can spark conversations, support charitable causes, and strengthen the networks that shape the creative industries.
