Stars on song at dementia gig
Four Scots singing stars thrilled a capacity crowd at an intimate evening of music and memories at the University’s St Cecilia’s Hall.
Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross and Del Amitri’s Justin Currie joined forces with Karine Polwart and former Danny Wilson singer Gary Clark for an intimate concert to benefit ground-breaking research into dementia.
The one-off performance was organised by writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson who founded the music and dementia charity, Playlist for Life.
Benefit gig
Entitled The Memory Sessions, the concert was organised to raise awareness of the impact that meaningful music can have on people living with the condition.
The singers performed some of their best-known songs as well cover versions of songs by other artists.
All four played together on a rousing rendition of Brian Wilson's Love and Mercy to bring the evening to a close.
Music project
Playlist for Life has teamed-up with the University’s Centre for Dementia Prevention to research the relationship between music and brain health.
Proceeds from the gig will go towards supporting the project.
Edinburgh alumna Sally Magnusson set up Playlist for Life in 2013 in memory of her late mother, Mamie Baird Magnusson.
The charity promotes the use of music for people with dementia, by delivering personalised playlists to those in care homes.
Dementia effects
Although dementia has no cure, many caregivers report that music can be a powerful tool to improve well-being and unlock memories.
Dementia affects memory, thinking skills and the ability to carry out everyday activities.
It is now the biggest killer in the UK, affecting 90,000 people in Scotland.
Related links
Centre for Dementia Prevention
Image credit: Neil Hanna Photography