MUSIC NEWS: Gig Buddies Livestream Fundraiser Announced Featuring mclusky, Willie J Healey, TV Priest & More
A livestream fundraiser has been announced in aid of Gig Buddies, set to take place on 20th June 2021 between 6pm-11pm BST. The event have been organised by IDLES bassist Adam ‘Dev’ Devonshire and will also be accompanied by an online raffle to raise funds for the scheme.
The online gig will be streamed from Exchange in Bristol and feature comedy sets from Stewart Lee, Seann Walsh and Josh Weller, alongside music from mclusky, Willie J Healey, TV Priest, Fenne Lily, Dogeyed and Wilderman. The online raffle features prizes from artists including The National, Sharon Van Etten, Mogwai, Slowdive and BEAK>, as well as artwork from Bristol artist Sickboy, The Maccabees‘ Orlando Weeks and Big Jeff.
Gig Buddies is a project which matches adults with learning disabilities or autism with a volunteer who shares the same interests. This increases access to gigs and other events by allowing them to attend these together. Speaking about the project, Dev says: “After witnessing first hand what vital and wonderful work Gig Buddies do, It has been an honour and a privilege for me to be working with them and to help raise awareness of the wonderful service that they provide. Music and live events provide us all with so much happiness and catharsis, everyone deserves to have that joy in their lives. As we’re all hopefully getting back to a place where live events will be happening again, now is a great time to raise awareness for the charity.
“The Cardiff chapter of Gig Buddies has recently expanded into North Wales and have rebranded as Gig Buddies Cymru and are now looking for a number of new volunteers and extra funding to help with this. Hopefully we can raise enough to provide them with what they need and then, fingers crossed, we’ll be able to also raise enough to then start a Bristol chapter of Gig Buddies. But that’s not ignoring the other chapters in rest of the country, of course.”
Livestream tickets are available to purchase now for a suggested donation of £5, along with the option to enter the raffle. Head HERE to get yours! You can find out more about Gig Buddies and how to get involved with the scheme HERE.
