Exclusive Concerts for Charity
Declan McCanna, Bradley Simpson, Katie Baser, and others have been announced to perform in exclusive concerts without phones in Scotland, aiming to support a charity organization focused on preventing suicide.
- Read more: Suicide prevention initiates new discussions in parliament following the death of Yana Curtis
Mental Health Awareness Week Events
In observance of Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12-18) this year, Scotland will host three phone-free concerts to raise funds for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). Yondr phone bags will be utilized to secure phones and other recording devices during each event.
The first concert will feature Tom Walker and Nina Nesbitt at the Edinburgh Assembly Hall on Friday, May 2. Declan McCanna and Bradley Simpson will perform the following Tuesday (May 6) at the Albert Halls in Stirling. Nathan Evans, Saint Fangs, and Katie Baser will conclude the series with a performance at The Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow on May 10.
Tickets are priced at £12.20 each—the amount required to fund one call to a free suicide prevention hotline. This helpline, operated by trained professionals, provides free access to those in need. Additionally, 30 percent of ticket sales from these concerts will be donated to CALM.
Ticket sales will commence at 10 am on April 17. You can register here for tickets.
Pursuing Change and Support
On the anniversary of Yana Curtis’s death, Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris from New Order spoke with parliament in 2022 about suicide prevention efforts. According to CALM, 75 percent of all suicides are among men, making it the leading cause of death for men under 45. Reflecting on these statistics, Morris noted, “The issue with Yana and young people suffering from depression is that they often feel trapped and unsure of who to confide in.”
“In the past, the message from parents was to avoid troubling others and just carry on. Thankfully, there is now greater awareness that it’s crucial to reach out and talk to someone.”
Sumner echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of providing support for those contemplating suicide and criticizing long NHS waiting lists: “You hear stories of 18-month wait times. If someone is suicidal, they can’t afford to wait.”
In related news, Papa Roach recently presented a £20,000 check to CALM during their London show in February last year. Frontman Jacobi Shaddix discussed the importance of the topic, saying, “From the start, it has been part of our journey. Our first song, ‘The Last Resort,’ was a cry for help. My personal experiences with ups and downs have helped me understand the importance of addressing these issues through music.”
In other updates, Universal Music Group has launched a new mental health fund in collaboration with Alliance Music Health after a speech by Chappella Roan advocating for music labels to support developing artists with fair wages and access to mental health resources.
Help and Mental Health Tips:
- CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably
- Help Musicians – Around the clock support and advice for musicians’ mental health (Call the Music Mind Matter helpline: 0808 802 8008)
- Music Support – Assistance for musicians struggling with addiction or mental health issues (Call: 0800 030 6789)
- Young Minds – Advocating for youth mental health and well-being
- Time to Change – Tackling mental health stigma
- Samaritans – Confidential support 24/7
https://www.nme.com/news/music/declan-mckenna-bradley-simpson-caity-baser-to-play-phone-free-gigs-for-mental-health-charity-calm-3855019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=declan-mckenna-bradley-simpson-caity-baser-to-play-phone-free-gigs-for-mental-health-charity-calm
