Backed by Courteeners’ frontman, Liam Fray, and a host of industry organisations and figureheads, MUSIC 85258 has been created by Headstock as a direct response to the spiralling mental health crisis facing the music industry – a crisis compounded by the global pandemic and subsequent cost-of living crisis.   

 The text support service is also being backed by Music Support, Music Minds Matter, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), and ticketing & event discovery site, Skiddle.  

 Liam Fray said: “Everyone goes through their ups and downs in life, and for musicians, I think these feelings are often magnified. It’s an absolute rollercoaster.   

 “Nothing can describe the high of being on stage in front of 50,000 people. It’s the best feeling in the world. But when the crowds go home, you crash. When we finish a tour it’s almost instant. I know loads of musicians who say the same thing – but it’s very rarely talked about because we’re supposed to be ‘rock n roll’.  

 “The advice we get given is ‘try to talk’ – but that in itself is really difficult. Opening up and baring your soul to another human being. That’s why I think the new MUSIC 85258 mental health text support service being launched by Headstock & Shout is such a great initiative.”  

 According to research, 73% of independent musicians struggle with mental illness, whilst people working within the industry are three times more likely to suffer from clinical depression compared to the general population.   

  For anyone using the MUSIC 85258 service who would benefit from a telephone conversation and further support, the team will signpost texters to specialist industry charities Music Support and Music Minds Matter.