Tim Burgess to play festival launched by charity inspired by Frightened Rabbit singer

The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess is to star at an online festival being staged by the mental health charity set up in memory of Frightened Rabbit singer Scott Hutchison by his family.

Charlatans singer Tim Burgess will be one of the biggest names to appear at the online festival.

Proceeds from the two-day event next month, which will be streamed live on Facebook, will go towards the work of Tiny Changes, which was created last year to help improve mental health among young people, and other children’s charities which have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Other acts joining Burgess – who has won widespread acclaim for his daily album listening parties on Twitter – include Frank Turner, Bill Ryder Jones, Broken Chanter, Carla Easton and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Scott Hutchison, who was born in Edinburgh, took his own life just over two years ago after a long struggle with mental health.

Last month Tiny Changes announced it was setting up a special Covid-19 relief fund to help other charities working to improve the mental health of children and young people in Scotland.

Its “Tiny Gigs” festival, which will see a live stream of acts performing from their own homes on 20 and 21 June, will also feature Heir of the Cursed, Man of Moon and Loel Campbell.

Grant Hutchison, Scott’s brother and bandmate, who is also a trustee of the charity, said: “At a time when so many of us might be feeling disconnected and isolated from the world let’s all get together in a virtual field and enjoy some togetherness with a bunch of amazing musicians.

“Instead of feeling like we’re missing out on seeing friends, going to gigs and singing along together let’s make the most of being able to sit and watch a music festival from our own couch in our pants.

“What started as a wee idea after seeing a bunch of artists perform for folk online has been turned into a reality by a few wonderful folk at Tiny Changes.

“Join in, sing along and at the end of the night you don’t need to fumble around in the dark looking for your tent – you can go to your own bed!”