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On Friday 27th January, a star-studded evening of North-East music will raise money for Sunderland’s talented young singer songwriter who was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour.
As most have you will have seen on the news or social media, Sunderland musician and winner of the Alan Hull award for songwriting, Faye Fantarrow has been diagnosed with a rare glioma brain tumour. The past few month’s people from around the region and the rest of the country/world have been raising money to enable her to go to City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California for treatment.
The region’s music community has done what it can to help the rising star and £200,000 of the £450,000 target has already been raised, including a £50,000 donation from Dave Stewart (who signed Faye to his label) and a £10,000 contribution from fellow Eurythmics star Annie Lennox.
This Friday (27th February), an evening with Faye Fantarrow & Friends, as well as the Great Northern All Star Band, will take place at The Fire Station, Sunderland to continue the fundraising.
Acts already confirmed include Field Music, Frankie & the Heartstrings, Tom A Smith, Reali T, Komparrison, Nadedja, as well as Faye herself. The artists will perform one of their own numbers and one of Faye’s or a song chosen by Faye. Artists will play alongside the evening’s house band, the Great Northern All Star Band, which will be packed with local musical talent.
Dave Brewis of Field Music, adds: “The evening will be a true coming together of the North East music community in aid of a very special talent. As soon as we heard about Faye’s situation, we started scrabbling around thinking of what we might do to help.
“We don’t have a ton of money to put in the pot, but we can give our time and we can play some tunes and we can call in every favour we have in our back pockets. Faye needs a chance and if we all work together we can make that happen.”
In response to the speed at which local artists have signed up for the evening, Faye said: “I didn’t think my love for the North East could be cemented in any stronger foundations than they already are but these past few months have proven me wrong.
“The way people have rallied round to carry and support me in the darkest of times is so heartwarming and honestly what has kept me going when I felt like giving up; seeing the way every gesture, big or small adds up to make all the difference is awe inspiring!
“The Sunderland music scene has been a beacon of light for me, from the time everyone has sacrificed to the endless pouring of love. I see them all as family and I’m especially excited to share such an important night with the very best and my personal local heroes/friends. I hope this night can give me the chance to finally pay forward all my gratitude and put it into my first performance back! I can’t wait to be on that stage!”
More acts are expected to be added to the line-up and tickets, priced £22.50, are available through The Fire Station’s website.
If you would like to contribute to Faye’s fundraising campaign, click here.
Photo by Chris Owens
