Deacon Blue and Del Amitri singers to hold dementia fundraising concert

Three leading singer-songwriters from Scotland are joining forces to raise money for dementia in a concert that will feature songs they have written on the theme of memory.

The line-up will be Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue, Justin Currie from Del Amitri and former Danny Wilson singer, Gary Clark.

The concert 'Songs in the Round' will be held at the University of Edinburgh’s St Cecilia’s Hall on 29 April.

Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue said: ““This will be a chance to hear three singer-songwriters perform songs they’ve written, exploring the theme of memory.

“Performing in the round – in the style of the Nashville Bluebird Café – gives the singers time to tell stories and swap ideas around. It also gives the audience a chance to experience, close up, the intimacy of the singer and the song. I’m delighted to be performing songs with great fellow Scottish singer-songwriters who have massive back-catalogues of songs to choose from.”

The event is being hosted by broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson, who founded the music and dementia charity, Playlist for Life in memory of her mother, Mamie Baird Magnusson.

The charity promotes the power of music for people with dementia, by working with care homes to create personalised playlists for residents.

Sally Magnusson said: “The concert will celebrate the immense power of music in enabling people with dementia to feel more themselves. We are so grateful to Ricky Ross and his fellow musicians and our partners at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Dementia Prevention for helping to create what promises to be a unique evening of song and memory.”

Research has found that music can be a powerful tool to improve well-being and unlock memories. Playlist for Life has teamed-up with the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Dementia Prevention to further research the relationship between music and brain health, with proceeds from the gig going towards supporting the project.

Dementia affects memory, thinking skills and the ability to carry out everyday activities and is now the biggest killer in the UK, affecting 90,000 people in Scotland.

Professor Craig Ritchie, Centre for Dementia Prevention, University of Edinburgh, said: “We have been working closely with Playlist for Life to understand how music can help people living with dementia as well as even prevent its onset. This concert is not only a reflection of our collaboration but to have Ricky Ross and friends commit their time, effort and enthusiasm to this cause is a massive endorsement of how the public share our vision.”

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