Music Support: To Kill A King, Dan Smith (Bastille), and more | Omeara
Music Support is the music industry’s newest initiative to maintain a network of support (what it says on the tin) for mental health of both performers and for those figures working on the business.
The charity took opportunity on everyone’s free day on Bank Holiday to raise awareness and funds for the cause through an event at London’s highly acclaimed new venue Omeara with group To Kill A King, support with Charlie Barnes and Monty Taft, and even a surprise appearance from Bastille’s Dan Smith.
To Kill A King returned to their hometown stage fresh off of a European tour, and brought their much loved popular live set to the stage performing songs for old time fans from 'Cannibals With Cutlery', as well as their new album ‘The Spiritual Dark Age’ released just earlier this year. Their live set up comprises of Ralph on the acoustic, Grant on the electric, James on the bass, Josh on the drums, and Ben epic as ever on the keys and synths. They also had guest trumpeter Jonny Abrahams (Public Service Broadcasting) on a number of the songs.
Dan Smith, long time friend of the band, joined the group for the last couple of songs, playing ‘Choices’ together with support act Charlie Barnes. We also got a special performance of ’13 Steps,’ a song Smith and Pelleymounter wrote a decade ago in their first band together Annie Oakley Hanging – a real treat for their fans to see back to their roots of being musicians.
Charlie Barnes supported the night. Providing guitar for Bastille on their live tours, Barnes showcased his own music to the fans, including ‘Oceanography,’ the title track from his latest solo album. He also gave an inspired speech to the audience, detailing the importance of giving a platform to mental health in the industry and explaining what the issue was, reminding us that whilst it was a gig with a band we all loved, to remember the reason we were all there - for Music Support. To Kill A King also joined Barnes on stage for his last song, citing it as one of their favourite moments of the night.
The entire event just screamed 'community,' where the night saw an eclectic community of musicians come together both on stage and in the audiences, including where newer artist Monty Taft opened the night with an acoustic set, and Bastille's own Woody played the night away with an epic DJ set with every pop hit you could want to hear. The night was also curated by Diamond Jacks Management founder Amy Gordon, who curated the line up and collaborated with Music Support to bring this important message to the young people.
The band’s young adult following was the perfect target audience for the charity to bring their work to the attention to, as these are the ones who are the future of the industry and ensuring healthy and safe policies are maintained. It was a special launch for the charity Music Support to come to the forefront of the young people’s minds.