Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit have announced their first live show since the death of their frontman, Scott Hutchison, this May. According to Pitchfork, the band will be performing as Songs of Frightened Rabbit at a benefit for the homeless entitled Sleep in the Park in Glasgow, Scotland on December 9th.
“We had agreed to play Sleep in the Park before Scott passed and we felt that since it was something for such a great cause that we should stick to our decision and honour Scott in the best way we know—to play the songs he wrote and continue spreading his message of kindness whilst supporting Social Bite and the amazing work they do,” Grant Hutchison, the band’s drummer and Scott’s brother told the BBC.
A few vocalists will be taking Scott Hutchison’s place during the performance including James Graham of Twilight Sad. Sleep in the Park is a benefit event that will take place across four cities in Scotland, with each city hosting a local music act, in addition to Amy Macdonald and KT Tunstall, who will be travelling across the country in helicopters for each event.
Glasgow has been the band’s base city since 2004, two years before they released their debut album Sing The Greys in 2006. Since this release the band has been known for doing public benefits, in June of this year they replaced their performance at the Meltdown Festival with panel on mental health for the audience.
Scott Hutchison had a long history of dealing with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, which he had been struggling with since adolescence. The band name Frightened Rabbit was also a result from these struggles, as it came from a nickname his mother gave him during his youth due to his anxiety.
In 2016, the singer had meltdown via social media where he stated goodbye to the band, and called it a “complete farce.” He later apologized for these comments saying they were fueled by alcohol and his depression.
Prior to his death concern over Hutchison’s mental health state amplified as he made a series of concerning tweets over social media before he disappeared on May 9. Two days later the singer was confirmed dead by the Scottish police, who found his body on the Firth of Forth riverbanks near South Queensferry, Scotland.
“Be so good to everyone you love. It’s not a given. I’m so annoyed that it’s not. I didn’t live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones,” Hutchison stated in his last Tweets.“I’m away now. Thanks.”
Prominent figures such as Hayley Williams of Paramore and comedian Sarah Silverman mourned Hutchison after it was announced that he has passed away. The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, also made statement saying,”Heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with Scott’s family, friends and fans. A remarkable and much loved talent,” on Twitter.
“Scott, like many artists, wore his heart on his sleeve and that was evident in the lyrics of his music and the content of many of his social media posts. He was passionate, articulate and charismatic, as well as being one of the funniest and kindest people we knew. Friends and family would all agree that he had a brilliant sense of humour and was a great person to be around.”
Photo Credit: Marisa Rose Ficara
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