59 X Records will present its second annual 59 X Fest on Feb. 27, with artists from its roster and others performing acoustically to raise funds for 320 Changes Direction.
Neon Dreams will headline the virtual festival, where each act will perform live from its creative space and viewers can watch from home via a stream provided by Veeps.
The 2020 Juno Award winner for breakthrough group of the year will be supported by The Carolyn, Viper Club, Heathersett, Shoegazers, Hoity-Toity, Rough Dreams, Taylor Sackson, Misty Eyed, The Killakee House, Black Suit Youth and Snailmate, with an introduction from This Modern.
“Our fest in 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic so we began plans to host something virtual in early 2021,” 59 X Records founder Peter Catalano said in a media release. “The bands and artists jumped right to help us make this fest special and different.
“Due to everyone being spread out across the US and Canada, we wanted the world to see our artists and friends behind the scenes in their own creative spaces, even if that meant just filming with an iPhone.”
Tickets for the 4 p.m. EST live stream can be purchased here. They cost U.S.$10 or can be combined with a 59 X Records T-shirt for $10 more. All proceeds will be donated to 320 Changes Direction.
Talinda Bennington co-founded 320 Changes Direction after watching her husband Chester, lead vocalist for rock bands Linkin Park and Stone Temple Pilots, struggle with depression and substance abuse for 13 years before he hung himself to death on July 20, 2017.
The organization acts as a resource for friends and family members who are seeking answers to questions about mental health, mental illness and addiction so that they can support the people in their lives who are suffering emotionally.
“Seeing musicians, fans, and the rest of the world continue to struggle with mental health throughout this global pandemic has been difficult for everyone,” festival organizer and 59 X Records vice-president of operations and artist development Ami Rogers said in the release.
“In the absence of live shows, we were compelled to use whatever platform we could to raise awareness and funds for 320 Changes Direction.”
The 59 X Records label launched in 2016 and is based out of Atlanta and Phoenix. Its artists include The Carolyn, Shoegazers, This Modern, Heathersett and Misty Eyed, among others.