For my fiftieth birthday this year (Feb 8th) I had fifty gigs/events (music, comedy, book readings) on that day (or near about) to plug the work of the Nordoff Robbins charity. That was gigs already taking place, not me arranging fifty gigs! Most simply sent a Tweet and/or Facebook post on the day giving a link and plug to the charity, whilst some had leaflets from Nordoff Robbins on their merchandise stands. The idea being to create a whole host of gigs/events and social media posts mentioning Nordoff Robbins on and around the 8 February.

As it was such a success I thought why not make it an annual event to plug the Nordoff Robbins charity and their work in musical therapy which benefits people of all ages. Like this year’s event, the idea is to create a whole host of gigs/events and social media posts mentioning Nordoff Robbins on and around the 8 February 2019. Plus this year it will be hopefully 51 gigs and the focus this time will be on up and coming bands/artists/comedians/authors who may not be performing on or around the 8 February 2019, however they will be supporting and plugging the work of Nordoff Robbins.

From Ingrid Stone, Community Fundraiser at the Nordoff Robbins charity on this year’s Fifty Gigs…

“I would like to thank each of the artists, bands, musicians and production companies who have supported the Fifty Gigs In A Day fundraising initiative in aid of Nordoff Robbins music therapy. Above all, thank you to Jason Ritchie, who founded this wonderful initiative. As a charity and organisation, your support is so valued – both on the fundraising front and in terms of awareness, and the £202 that you have raised is equivalent to 10 x group-based Nordoff Robbins music therapy sessions or 4 x one-to-one Nordoff Robbins music therapy sessions, which is brilliant.”

Nordoff Robbins do lots of wonderful work helping people of all ages with musical therapy and music has always been a big part of my life.

Below are the artists kindly taking part in this and do support them in any way possible…

ANDREW W.K. is the patron of Fifty Gigs In A Day 2019. His positive attitude to music is a perfect fit.

ADRIAN BELEW who has worked with the likes of Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Talking Headsand King Crimson, appears with his Power Trio at the Cruise to the Edge 4-9 February 2019

BROKEN WITT REBELS supporting Reef in Nov/Dec and their debut album is released on November 24 via Snakefarm Records.

PAUL CARRACK plays Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre on 8 February

DANDELION CHARM will be playing a gig in support of Nordoff Robbins at the Brunswick, Hove on Feb 8

JARROD DICKENSON, the well dressed singer songwriter, will be playing Birmingham on February 8

BARBARA DICKSON who plays a show at Eden Court, Inverness on Feb 8

DODGY  play Newcastle Riverside on Feb 8

FAIRPORT CONVENTION play the Sage Gateshead on 8 Feb and they kindly supported Fifty Gigs In A Day last year

THE FIERCE AND THE DEAD progressive instrumentalists supporting via social media on the day

FROST* who will be appearing on Cruise to the Edge 2019 between the 4 and 9 February 2019

FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS play Nottingham Rock City on Feb 8

STEVE HACKETT took part last year and he has kindly agreed again to do so next year as he takes part in the Yes Cruise to the Edge between 4-9 February 2019

HANSON ASIEDU is kindly taking part and has a number of tour dates lined-up for the early part of next year

ROBB JOHNSON is kindly hosting a gig on February 6th at the Railway Roots Night at the Railway Inn, Portslade

KAISER CHIEFS play London’s Brixton Academy on February 8

KING KING play Bournemouth O2 Old Fire Station on Feb 8

LETZ ZEP play Vitoria in Spain on Feb 8

LITTLE RED KINGS are planning to be playing live TBA on or around the 8 February next year.

LOST VOICE GUY winner of this year’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, will be performing at the Palace Theatre, Southend on February 8

NINEBARROW play North Ferriby Village Hall on February 8

THE SMYTHS play in Adelaide on Feb 8

SPACE ELEVATOR their second album ‘II’ is out now and will be supporting via social media on the day

MARK STAY author and screenwriter will donate £1 for every book signed or sold to Nordoff Robbins at his book launch on February 15 at Harbour Books

STONE BROKEN play Unit 51 in Aberdeen on February 8

TAX THE HEAT making a name for themselves and will be supporting via social media on the day

THOSE DAMN CROWS the band will be kindly donating signed merchandise for an eBay auction nearer the time, plus they support STONE BROKEN at Unit 51 in Aberdeen on February 8

THUNDER play in Glasgow on February 8 and have a new album ‘Please Remain Seated’ out in January

YES are involved again as they headline their own cruise Cruise to the Edge 2019 between 4-9 February 2019

THE YOUNG ‘UNS play Middlesbrough on February 8

Just Giving page is here if you’d kindly like to donate and support the work of Nordoff Robbins

We’re delighted to share that last year we delivered 29,725 music therapy sessions to 7,916 beneficiaries – reaching more people in more places than ever before.

We have just published our new 2017 Annual Review, and you can read more about this and our other milestones inside, including the opening of our newly refurbished, world-leading music therapy centre in London, and our new centre in Newcastle.

We also explored the impact of our music therapy services on beneficiaries, their family members, carers and staff at a cross-section of our partner organisations and open access centres, and were so pleased to see an increase on last year’s already very positive impact figures.

95% people said music therapy helped improve their interaction, communication and relationships

91% said it improved their quality of life and wellbeing

You can also find out more about the beneficiaries who are the heart of our music therapy work – including Betsy, Robert, Esther and Laura – and read about their journeys with music. As Betsy’s mum Rochelle says, “Music therapy has boosted Betsy’s self-esteem and encouraged her passion for music. This makes us so happy because Betsy has such a wonderful imagination and vocabulary – and music therapy is helping her to thrive.”

We support thousands of people in our own centres and by working in partnership with a wide range of organisations, including care homes, schools and hospitals. Music therapy can help a child with autism to communicate, enable someone with dementia to regain their sense of identity, or provide comfort to someone facing terminal illness.