Tommy O’Dell from DMA’S, The Wombats and Kieran Shudall of Circa Waves are among a host of top artists who have recorded session tracks from isolation for Everton’s first virtual music event this Friday – in support of the Club’s ‘Blue Family’ campaign.
The ‘Lockdown Sessions’ will also feature Keith Mullin from The Farm, Red Rum Club, Zuzu, She Drew The Gun, Howie Payne, SPINN, RATS,and Sunship Balloon.
The Club has worked alongside music industry specialists Shoot Music to curate the line-up, many of whom are avid Evertonians. They will also be joined in between sets by some of Everton’s first team and Women’s players – as well as appearances from some familiar Evertonians.
The ‘Lockdown Sessions’ will be broadcast for free on Everton’s YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Twitch channels.
Scott McLeod, Head of Engagement and Communications, said:
“Football and music go hand-in-hand in bringing people together, and with not being able to attend matches or gigs, we hope that our virtual sessions will help bring the two passions together for a good cause.”
Those watching on Friday can also donate to the Club’s Blue Family campaign online, by text or through Everton’s Facebook page.
Blue Family is Everton’s coordinated outreach and engagement campaign to maintain contact with fans and provide vital support and assistance to some of the most vulnerable, socially isolated and at-risk members of the community in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Scott added:
“We’d like to thank all of the artists performing in aid of our Blue Family campaign, which has continued to make a significant and positive impact on our region. We hope that the artists get that buzz of performing and our supporters and wider music fans will be able to enjoy the sessions safely at home. This is a free event and throughout the evening we’ll be reminding people of the importance of our Blue Family campaign, the impact it continues to have and giving viewers the chance to donate to the vital work being done by Everton and Everton in the Community.”
In the eight weeks since the launch of the campaign, 4,000 vulnerable people and families have been supported by Blue Family. Club and charity staff, Everton’s men and women’s players and Ambassadors have also made more than 2,000 check-in phone calls to those in social isolation, whilst a referral service for access to Everton in the Community’s support provision has received more than 500 applications for support and assistance for individuals between the ages of 18-103.
Everton in the Community staff have delivered nearly 1,500 emergency food parcels and distributed emergency foodbank vouchers to individuals and families living across Liverpool, in addition to purchasing and delivering utilities and phone vouchers, medical prescriptions for the elderly and medicines for a terminally ill child.
Shoot Music director Tom Roberts adds,
“We are proud to provide our time and artist talent to this unique activation with Everton and the Blue Family. We believe that Everton are leading the way in the football community with this fan-led approach and we hope it brings inspiration and some joy at this challenging time. The acts have all really enjoyed the challenge of performing and recording in lockdown and it promises to be a special evening.”
The Everton Lockdown Sessions will be broadcast on Friday 22 May at 8pm on the following channels:
