A new music movement with a simple belief that live music can bring people together, create opportunities and change lives will officially launch on World Suicide Prevention Day, Thursday 10 September 2026, with a live event at Big Penny Social, Walthamstow.
Founded by Jon Salmon following the loss of his father to suicide and his own experience of mental illness, Listen Out was inspired by the role live music played in his recovery. Through years of working with charities, Jon also saw first-hand how challenging it can be to deliver events and raise vital funds, leading him to create a movement that brings together music, communities and purpose.
Bringing together artists, charities, and local community groups, Listen Out is more than a live music event. It is the beginning of a movement that uses music to spark conversations, encourage people to seek support earlier, create opportunities for young people and strengthen communities.
The launch event will feature performances from established and emerging artists, with Shocka and rising artist AnderSol announced today as the first acts to join the line-up. Award-winning rapper and mental health advocate Shocka has inspired thousands through his honesty about his own lived experience. As an Ambassador for Beyond, the youth mental health charity, he is passionate about breaking down stigma and encouraging young people to seek support. AnderSol’s performance will support Black Minds Matter.
DJ Jim Jamal will keep the energy going with a specially curated set throughout the evening.
More artists will be announced over the coming weeks, building an exciting line-up for Listen Out’s inaugural event.
Alongside an evening of live music, audiences will have the opportunity to connect with charities and community organisations offering advice, information and support. The event will also showcase Listen Out’s commitment to creating pathways into the creative industries through volunteering, mentoring, training and work experience opportunities for young people.
Every Listen Out event is designed with purpose. As well as celebrating great music, the initiative aims to raise funds for charities and community groups, champion emerging talent, strengthen community connections and demonstrate how live events can become places where people feel seen, supported and inspired.
In the future Listen Out hopes to champion the concept of “Gigs on Prescription” recognising the role live music, social connection and shared cultural experiences can play in improving wellbeing and helping people feel connected before reaching crisis point.
Jon Salmon, Founder of Listen Out, said:
“Going to gigs made me feel less alone and more hopeful after I had experienced really poor mental health. Music has an incredible ability to improve our mood, and bring us together.
Listen Out is about creating those moments of connection. If someone leaves one of our events feeling more hopeful, more connected or more willing to ask for support, then we’ve achieved something truly meaningful.”
Louisa Rose, CEO of Beyond, said:
“At Beyond, we know that music can be much more than entertainment. It can be a lifeline. It helps young people make sense of difficult feelings, find comfort in shared experiences and realise they’re not alone. We’re incredibly thankful that Listen Out has chosen to support Beyond and put mental health at the heart of this exciting new movement. To have our Ambassador Shocka leading the line-up makes it even more special. His music and advocacy embody everything this partnership stands for: using creativity to spark conversation, challenge stigma and remind young people that support is always within reach.”
Julie Gilbert, Head of Artist Liaison & Event Management at Listen Out, said:
“We’re creating something that’s much bigger than a gig. Listen Out is about bringing artists, charities, communities and audiences together to create unforgettable live music experiences with real purpose. The response from artists and partners has been incredible, and we’re excited to reveal more of the line-up over the coming weeks as we build towards our launch on World Suicide Prevention Day.”
Tickets are now on sale at www.ListenOut.org. Every ticket purchased supports the Listen Out movement, with audiences able to choose which participating charity or community group they would like their ticket to support, helping direct funding to organisations making a real difference in communities across the UK.