On 10 October, St Giles, Barbican will host Music for Change, a one-night fundraising event where London’s queer music community unites for a vital cause. Timed with World Mental Health Day, the concert will shine a spotlight on the crisis of suicide and drug-related deaths within the LGBTQ+ community.

The evening will be hosted by dancer, actor, and Mr Gay Great Britain 2024 Andy Gardiner. Alongside him, audiences will hear from mental health campaigner Jonny Benjamin MBE and enjoy performances by some of London’s brightest queer artists.

The programme features the London Gay Men’s Chorus and the London Gay Symphony Orchestra, both icons of the city’s LGBTQ+ music scene, as well as the dance collective Homoparody. A host of solo performers will also take the stage, including countertenors Andrew Watts and Eliran Kadussi, pianist Gavin Roberts, baritone Kang Yang, mezzo sopranos Isobel Hughes and Natasha Elliott, vocalist Jairus McClanahan, double bassist Strahinja Mitrovic, baritone Owain Gwynfryn, baritone Thomas Litchev, tenor Daniel Gray Bell, and soprano Jasper Kindleysides.

Big Gay Out was founded in 2023 by chiropractor, opera singer, and life coach Owain Gwynfryn. The organisation focuses on creating inclusive and celebratory spaces for gay, bisexual, trans, and queer men. With a mix of performance, community, and wellbeing, Big Gay Out brings queer voices together in uplifting and supportive ways.

Song in the City began in 2012 through the vision of pianist and conductor Gavin Roberts. The project was born out of a desire to connect classical music with wider audiences. By reimagining performance spaces and curating inclusive programmes, Song in the City builds bridges between art forms and communities, making music feel accessible and alive.

You Are Loved was created in 2024 by social psychologist and researcher Marc Svensson as a grassroots Community Interest Company. Its mission is to reduce suicide and drug-related deaths in the LGBTQ+ community. The group runs bereavement support programmes, open discussion events, and recently launched a national queer support directory. By tackling loneliness, stigma, and shame, You Are Loved provides life-saving connections and resources.

The urgency of this event is underlined by new data from the Office for National Statistics, which shows that the risk of suicide and self-harm is more than twice as high for LGB+ people compared with their heterosexual peers. Proceeds from ticket sales will support You Are Loved in its work to prevent suicide and drug-related deaths across the queer community.

Early bird tickets start at £25 and are available now via Ticket Tailor.

Music for Change
10 October 2025, St Giles, Barbican
Hosted by Andy Gardiner
Featuring: Jonny Benjamin MBE, London Gay Men’s Chorus, London Gay Symphony Orchestra, Homoparody, Andrew Watts, Gavin Roberts, Kang Yang, Eliran Kadussi, Isobel Hughes, Jairus McClanahan, Natasha Elliott, Strahinja Mitrovic, Owain Gwynfryn, Thomas Litchev, Daniel Gray Bell, Jasper Kindleysides
In partnership with Big Gay Out, Song in the City, and You Are Loved
Tickets: tickettailor.com

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