Headstock has announced a virtual music and wellbeing festival this weekend to raise money for Help Musicians and Manchester Mind.
The online event will mark World Mental Health Day (10th October) and take place via the United We Stream platform.
Anyone can access the two days of live music, exclusive talks, and immersive wellbeing experiences for free, although donations are encouraged.
Elizabeth Simpson, Manchester Mind CEO, said: “We are proud to partner with Headstock for World Mental Health Day 2020.
“The coronavirus has brought with it a global mental health pandemic, which has especially affected young people”.
Some of Greater Manchester’s most exciting bands will perform on Saturday and Sunday, including Larkins, The Slow Readers Club, The Lottery Winners and Lucy Deakin.
Acclaimed British rock band Nothing But Thieves, and Irish rock band Kodaline will also take part.
Other content includes an evening of comedy, a Yoga Rave, and a two-hour set by DJ Paulette.
Headstock Founder, Atheer Al-Salim said: “Through the power of music and shared experiences, our goal is to create change by changing the conversation around mental health.
“Music has a huge role to play in our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and that applies now, more than ever. Like so many live events, our plans for 2020 have had to change, but we’ve adapted to the times”.
The event will focus on the positive impact that both music & movement can have when it comes to managing and maintaining good mental health.
Closing the weekend is seminal night club series The Warehouse Project, known for hosting legendary nights in Manchester since the mid noughties.
They will showcase a four-hour party, followed by an exclusive performance from House Gospel Choir, and back-to-back headline sets from Liverpool DJ & producer Yousef and Leeds electronic duo Prospa.
All of this will lead into Art Battle Manchester’s epic event conclusion, which will see eight artists going head-to-head to create a masterpiece in just 30 minutes.
The artwork will then be auctioned off and proceeds split between the artists and Headstock’s charity partners.
The festival will replace a previously planned week-long event set to take place across Manchester this May. For full line up, line up additions and more information visit the Headstock Justgiving page here.
