BBC Cymru Wales has unveiled plans for a two-part anniversary special to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami. Titled Tsunami 2005: One Night in Cardiff, the documentary series will spotlight the incredible behind-the-scenes story of Wales’ largest-ever charity concert. The specials will air early in the new year.
The Boxing Day tsunami of 2004, triggered by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Indonesia, claimed over 230,000 lives and displaced countless more. Communities across 14 countries in the Indian Ocean basin were devastated, sparking an urgent need for international aid. Just weeks later, on January 22, 2005, Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium (now the Principality Stadium) became the stage for a monumental charity concert that rallied Wales and the world to support relief efforts.
The Concert That Made History
In a display of unity and generosity, 66,000 fans packed the stadium to watch an all-star lineup of British musical talent, including Eric Clapton, Jools Holland, the Manic Street Preachers, Keane, Stereophonics, Embrace, Feeder, Charlotte Church, Craig David, Katherine Jenkins, and Snow Patrol. The event, broadcast live by the BBC and S4C, raised over £1.25 million, making it the largest UK charity concert since Live Aid.
But the journey to that unforgettable night was anything but smooth. The ambitious event was spearheaded by three friends: stadium manager Paul Sergeant, promoter Pablo Janczur, and former Welsh rugby star Rupert Moon. With a shoestring budget of £50,000, no confirmed headliners, and a plan sketched on the back of a beer mat, the trio faced countless challenges. Incredibly, they pulled it all together in just three weeks, despite coming close to cancellation mere hours before the announcement.
A Documentary to Remember
One Night in Cardiff revisits this extraordinary story through archival footage, interviews, and testimonials from key figures, including Jools Holland, Feeder, Goldie Lookin Chain, Craig David, Katherine Jenkins, and BBC presenter Huw Stephens. Accompanying the documentary is an hour-long highlights programme, Tsunami 2005: One Night in Cardiff, The Concert, showcasing performances from the event alongside exclusive behind-the-scenes footage not seen since 2005.
Denise Mather, Commissioner at BBC Cymru Wales, said:
“This is the astonishing story of how a group of determined friends came together in a race against time to put on an incredible night of music in Cardiff, raising money to support the hundreds of thousands of people affected by one of the worst natural disasters in history. It’s an emotional, nostalgic, and ultimately uplifting tale, with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. Twenty years on, we felt it was the right time to tell this powerful story and reflect on the huge relief effort that took place on that extraordinary night in the heart of Cardiff.”
The documentary, an Orchard Production for BBC Cymru Wales and BBC iPlayer, features an accomplished production team led by executive producer Adrian Jones, director Daisy Brown, and producer Jack Carey. Jones commented:
“Tsunami 2005: One Night in Cardiff is an unbelievable true story—one which speaks to the character of our nation. The Welsh people are often characterised by tenacity and grit, dedicated to helping others, and I think our documentary represents that in the best way. It’s astonishing to me that the biggest charity concert since Live Aid was put together on the back of a beer mat and pulled off within three weeks.”
As the anniversary approaches, Tsunami 2005: One Night in Cardiff promises to be a heartfelt celebration of human spirit, ingenuity, and the enduring legacy of one unforgettable night in Wales.
