Tom Walker and Declan McKenna lead CALM’s phone-free fundraiser gigs

CALM announces three phone-free Scottish gigs in May with Tom Walker, Declan McKenna, and more, raising funds for suicide prevention.

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A trio of phone-free gigs across Scotland will bring together a strong lineup of artists, including Tom Walker, Declan McKenna, Nina Nesbitt, and Caity Baser, in support of suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

The events, set for May 2025, fall just ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week and aim to spotlight community, connection, and the power of live music. Each show will ban the use of mobile phones, with venues using Yondr pouches to ensure audiences are fully present.

Tickets are priced at £12.20, the amount it costs to fund a call to CALM’s free suicide prevention helpline, with 30% of sales going directly to the charity.

The Edinburgh Assembly Rooms will host Tom Walker and Nina Nesbitt on Friday 2nd May, followed by Declan McKenna and Bradley Simpson at Stirling Albert Halls on Tuesday 6th May, and a final Glasgow date on Saturday 10th May featuring Nathan Evans & Saint PHNX alongside Caity Baser.

CALM’s CEO Simon Gunning reflected on the roots of the charity and the importance of these shows:
“CALM started its life in music, having been set up by Factory Records’ Tony Wilson. It’s part of our DNA, and a key tool in our fight against suicide. Music, and musicians, truly are a lifeline for so many people going through tough times.”

He added, “The theme this year is community, and there really is no greater community than music, and the collective experience of live music in particular, especially when we get a chance to switch off from our phones for a few hours. We’re incredibly grateful to all the artists involved, including our Ambassador Tom Walker.”

According to Mind, one in five people in the UK will experience suicidal thoughts during their lifetime. CALM’s helpline, open from 5pm to midnight every day, offers anonymous, non-clinical support for those in crisis or simply struggling to cope.

Registration for ticket access is now open, ahead of general onsale at 10am on Thursday 17th April.

For more information or to access CALM’s mental health resources, visit www.thecalmzone.net.



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