Singer-songwriter Joe Bygraves
UK - Singer-songwriter Joe Bygraves has produced the single, Stand As One in support of charities helping the live entertainment and events industry. Its official release on Spotify, iTunes and all streaming services is today, 21 August at 12.00pm.
The 24-year-old from Bedfordshire has written and performed the song, which aims to reach out to people struggling with issues surrounding mental health during and looking past the COVID-19 pandemic, especially focusing on the behind-the-scenes professionals who, in any other year, would be pulling together to create the infrastructure for world-class live performances.
Joe was challenged to write the song by the organisers of the #MakeItBlue campaign started by the UK the events and entertainment industry to support colleagues in need, and to promote public mental health awareness through arts, culture and entertainment projects.
#MakeItBlue co-founder Gary White said: “We asked Joe for a track that would resonate with our collective experience and send out a message of hope and support. Joe is donating 25 per cent of its proceeds to MAKEITBLUE CIC for charitable use in the events industry.”
For Stand As One, Joe is backed by a collective of pedigree musicians, including Tom McRae (background vocal arrangements), Richard Hammond (bass), Simon Johnson (guitars and backing vocals) and Mark Pusey (drums and percussion). Piano and background vocals are by Olli Cunningham, who also produced and mixed the song. It was mastered at Abbey Road Studios London by Simon Gibson.
The first live performance of ‘Stand As One’ took place on a boat on the Thames on Tuesday 12 August as the finale to the day-long #WeMakeEvents call to action.

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