Anthony Burrill, Giles Deacon, Andy Vella, James Joyce, Adam Riche and many more confirmed for this year’s auction.
After much anticipation, War Child and Secret 7” can finally reveal the headline artists that will be contributing sleeves to this year’s show. Turner Prize-winning sculptor Antony Gormley OBE RA, legendary fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, The Cure frontman and visual artist Robert Smith, acclaimed British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE, multimedia innovator Haroon Mirza, Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Ken Nwadiogbu, sound inspired painter Andrew Pierre Hart, Seoul based contemporary painter Yooyun Yang,and Radiohead’s longtime collaborator and visual artist Stanley Donwood.
Additional contributors include Anthony Burrill, Andy Vella, James Joyce, Sol Sato, Alice Tye, Owen Gildersleeve, Daniel P Carter, and Adam Riches. They join hundreds of artists, including those selected via an open submission and through D&AD’s New Blood Awards, showcasing an incredible range of creativity and innovation.
This year's records feature an exclusive etching by Yinka Ilori MBE that’s wrapped in bright colours and a unique flower motif, bringing the phrase ‘Let Them Blossom’ to life. 700 creatives, from globally renowned artists to emerging talents, then interpret the song into a unique record sleeve. All 700 records will be displayed in a free public exhibition at NOW Gallery at Greenwich Peninsula (11th April - 1st June 2025) during which time they will be up for auction on Givergy (1 June 2025).
The catch? Buyers won’t know who designed the sleeve or the track inside until after purchase – therein lies the secret.
Secret 7”, the much-loved charity initiative combining music and art, is making a highly anticipated return in 2025, proudly presented by War Child for the second consecutive year.
After a resounding success last year, the project is set to once again bring together a stellar mix of world-class musicians, visionary artists, and passionate collectors. All proceeds will go towards War Child’s vital work providing protection, education and specialist mental health support to children caught in conflict zones around the world.
Launched in 2012 and now running its ninth edition, Secret 7” selects seven iconic tracks from globally-renowned musicians, pressing each track onto 100 limited-edition 7” vinyl records. Creatives worldwide, from renowned artists to emerging talents, create one-of-a-kind sleeve designs for each record, interpreting the track in any style or medium of their choosing, resulting in 700 distinctive pieces of collectible art that push the boundaries of what a record sleeve can be.
These records are exhibited publicly, with the designers' identities kept secret until a big reveal once all items are sold. Therein lies the secret. During its nine year run, Secret 7” has produced and sold 5,600 one-of-a-kind records, raising over £700,000 for various charities to date.
Today, Secret 7” and War Child reveal the seven tracks in this year’s initiative:
The Cure - Warsong: Troxy Live 2024
Frank Turner - Be More Kind
Gregory Porter - Merchant of Paradise
Jessie Ware - Beautiful People
Keane - Black Rain
Scissor Sisters - Return to Oz
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Devotion (Brand New Song, Exclusive to War Child's Secret 7" )
