Award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown OBE DL is announced today as the host of the Love In Mind concert taking place on 30th April at the Southbank Centre to launch the Harvey Parker Trust, a new charity supporting the mental health and well-being of young creatives.
Double MOBO winner Brown, who was awarded an OBE in the 2023 New Year’s honours list for services to music, music education and broadcasting says: Love In Mind is all about remembering and celebrating Harvey. It’s crucial to speak about mental wellness, and ensure that young people know they’re not alone. I feel privileged to be hosting the launch of this important Trust, and to have such incredible music play a part in the event too, is just fantastic.”
Rob Madge, star of the Olivier Award-nominated hit West-End Show My Son’s A Queer will take part in a very special performance and joins the illustrious line-up of artists already announced including Mark Rylance and music from Grammy award-winning Clean Bandit, internationally recognised cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Chineke! Orchestra, Europe’s first ethnically diverse professional orchestra, award-winning jazz organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors, The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain, Future Talent and Choir of Westminster School plus a surprise artist who will join forces in this spectacular of sound and inspiration to raise awareness and support for the mental well-being of young, marginalised creatives.
Legendary London nightclub Heaven and G-A-Y will support a spectacular Love In Mind afterparty in the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Live music comes from hitmaker to the stars Charlie Deakin Davies aka Charlieeeee making their debut as an artist in their own right joined by some exciting special guests. The G-A-Y Dancers take to the floor with a host of DJs newly announced including Prince Jay Jay, Richard Cutmore and Mark Jacobs. Fabulous performances by DeDe Licious, Flesh, Son of a Tutu, Tayris, Ophelia Love, Yshee Black, Coco Couture, Labelle and From Shesus & the Sisters, it’s The Sisters will keep the party going well into the night.
Tickets will be sold separately or as part of the Love In Mind concert’s VIP package.
The Love In Mind concert launches The Harvey Parker Trust in memory of 20-year-old Harvey Parker, a gender fluid, autistic and prodigiously talented mixed-race musician whose mental health took a tragic turn just days before Christmas 2021 when they ended their life. This new charity founded by Harvey’s mother Amanda Parker, aims to make a positive difference and raise funds for young artists experiencing mental health crises and give them access to emotional and mental health support.
Rob Madge says: “I am absolutely thrilled to be asked to support the Harvey Parker Trust and to be part of this beautiful and celebratory launch night, which will ensure that Harvey’s legacy lives on and other young queer people in the creative arts can get the mental health support that they need.”
Mark Rylance adds: “I am honoured to be invited to take part in the launch of this beautiful Trust and look forward with delight to hearing all the wonderful artists who will be enchanting us.”
Jeremy Joseph, founder of Heaven says: “We are so proud and honoured to be supporting this event! Harvey told their friends that they felt at home at Heaven. This launch night will be a great way to remember and celebrate Harvey but also to reach out to others who feel isolated and remind them that they are not alone.”
The event is organised by the Harvey Parker Trust and all profits from the concert will go directly to the Harvey Parker Trust.
