Concerts In Care ? Touring Through A Pandemic...

A Socially Distanced Album Release Tour

Saskia Griffiths-Moore releases new album with charity tour, mid pandemic

Saskia Griffiths-Moore performed a 'Concerts In Care' tour in four care homes, and one psychiatric hospital all in the Bristol area 11-15th August, to celebrate the release of her new album 'Are You Listening' which came out on July 31st.​

Perhaps the only artist to be touring in the middle of a pandemic, Saskia crowdfunded the tour in advance from her fans, and donated all the concerts to Bristol's most vulnerable people, taking extra safety precautions. She and an accompanist on piano or double bass performed at Redfield Lodge, Avenue House, Callington Road Hospital, Walwyn Gardens and Lincoln Gardens, all of whose residents and service users had been unable to take day trips out, or have guests and entertainment since the lockdown began.

The concerts were organised by Lockdown Music, a new initiative from Bristol local David Mowat. He says "Every single concert was a hit. From brightening up the care homes, to singing along with the service users at the psychiatric hospital, everyone had a much needed moment of joy! It has been my pleasure to organise this tour, and I will be continuing to focus on bringing music and creativity to vulnerable people in the Bristol area."

"We had to wear masks while setting up" Saskia Griffiths-Moore

"I've continued to hear comments about how lovely it was - from staff and patients." Carolyn Atkinson, Callington Road Hospital

'Are You Listening' is an acoustic album that focuses on finding hope and joy in difficult situations, and the gentle, feminine style has been said to be reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and early Norah Jones.

'It is the first of a two album record deal Saskia holds with The Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation Inc. (USA), and it was worked on and produced by Saskia Griffiths-Moore and Susanne Marcus Collins herself.

In order to accommodate the necessary safety measures, Saskia and all her team wore masks while setting up the stage and equipment, and throughout the shows, the residents always stayed either behind glass, or a safe distance away in an outdoor space, and everyone took care to use a great deal of hand sanitiser!
When asked about whether she will be returning to do any of these concerts again she said "My music has often overlapped with charitable work, from supporting a tree-planting initiative, to recording in Abbey Road Studios with a choir and London charity, and now to this. I will keep finding ways to give back, although I can't promise it will always be the same way".

"Every single concert was a hit" David Mowat, Lockdown Music

"Each of the concerts were special to me. We had to wear masks while setting up and to make sure all the residents were a safe distance away from us. Sometimes watching from the windows of their room, and sometimes sitting in the garden. Being able to bring them some laughter and some music meant the world to me. They offered us tea and cake in the intervals, and even shared some ice cream with us afterwards on the hot days! And right at the end, during the last song of the last concert, it began to rain, but the residents stayed outdoors with me and sang along anyway. It was all around a heartwarming experience, and a fitting way for me to celebrate the release of my album, even during a pandemic!" - Saskia Griffiths-Moore