Marcus King launches Curfew Foundation to help support musicians battling challenges with mental health and addiction

Article Contributed by Big Feat PR | Published on Thursday, May 9, 2024

Today, GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter Marcus King announced the launch of the Curfew Foundation, a new foundation dedicated to raising funds for various causes close to King's heart and will develop a support system for musicians from all walks of life who are battling challenges with mental health and addiction.

Visit the website here: https://www.curfew-foundation.org/

The name Curfew is inspired by Matt Reynolds, a dear friend of King’s who was a singer-songwriter, tour manager, and pillar in the music community, who took his own life in 2017. Nicknamed “Curfew” by Colonel Bruce Hampton, his unexpected passing inspired Marcus and mutual friend Charles Hedgepath to name the foundation in Matt’s honor.

Regarding the announcement, King remarked: “I began the process of forming my non-profit organization Curfew Foundation with my friend, writing partner and fellow Greenville, SC native, Charles Hedgepath in late 2018/early 2019. In the winter of 2020, the world shut down and put all plans on hold until further notice. I am so thrilled to finally have Curfew up and rolling again! De-stigmatizing, providing outreach and community around mental health issues within the arts community: this idea came to me after the death of multiple peers and friends within the music community and a feeling that something needed to change. I’m very excited to be PART of the change and PART of the community and team working to get the message out and to help those in need.”

The foundation launches with an exciting partnership with Live Nation who has pledged to contribute $1 from every ticket sold on the Mood Swings Tour, with Marcus King's Family Reunion Festival in August also matching this commitment.

Curfew plans to focus on various areas of need, including supporting fine arts programs, particularly in underfunded areas, providing instruments and funding to music programs in schools. Additionally, the foundation will advocate for mental health, sobriety and addiction support, aiming to combat isolation by offering a hotline for those in crisis and emphasizing the importance of community support.

King also announced today in partnership with Stand Together, announced their partnership to bring 1 Million Strong on Kings’ Mood Swings The World Tour. King is the first artist partnering with 1 Million Strong on tour.

1 Million Strong is an impact initiative created in partnership between The Phoenix, Stand Together Music, and Stand Together Foundation that seeks to transform the way people think about and approach addiction and recovery, starting in the music industry, where 56% of industry professionals struggle with substance use.

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month and the kickoff of Mood Swings The World Tour, King is aiming to inspire others to prioritize mental health and support sober touring musicians and fans. King is launching an exciting new initiative with Stand Together Music including sober-supportive, mental health, and wellness activations throughout his tour launching May 6th.

“I am so delighted to be working with Stand Together Music! I met their team at SXSW during a SPIN event, and learned all about 1 Million Strong and the incredible work they’d been doing for sober concert goers! I was so moved by the passion, enthusiasm and their commitment to creating a space and accepting atmosphere for people to enjoy the music while not being afraid to be themselves,” said Marcus King. “It all resonated so deeply with me and my personal journey. I went through a prolonged period of self-medication in an effort to feel something, anything. The high I’m chasing now is being entirely present in the music along with a few thousand of my closest pals.”

Together, King and 1 Million Strong are working to build a more inclusive experience for the sober community who live and work around a historically alcohol-exposed environment and often feel marginalized from the rest of the music community. Mood Swings The World Tour will include initiatives throughout the tour (subject to change per venue): including an elevated Marcus King-themed mocktails which will be available for concert attendees and guests to enhance their sober party experience.

“Music brings people together, breaks down barriers, and accelerates change. In that unity, we have the opportunity to drive real progress in the addiction, recovery, and mental health space by partnering with Marcus King,” said Colette Weintraub, Head of Stand Together Music, Sports & Entertainment. “There can be a prevailing belief in society that people who are struggling with addiction or mental health are deficient or broken. We don’t believe that. We believe people are strong and resilient. We are grateful to Marcus for his partnership and leading the way for artists by championing the important work of destigmatizing addiction recovery in the music industry. Together throughout Mood Swings The Would Tour we will focus on the power of community, so we can better support those impacted by addiction.”

King’s US tour officially beginning in May 2025 (dates below) and the Marcus King Band and their family and friends will descend on Simpsonville, SC, for the Marcus King Band Family Reunion, a two-day festival featuring Marcus King Band, The Avett Brothers, Band of Horses, Sierra Ferrell, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, Nikki Lane (of Greenville, SC), at CCNB Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 24, and Sunday, August 25, 2024. The annual event, which will make its first appearance in South Carolina in 2024, features a lineup curated by King himself that also includes Darby Wilcox, Kashus Culpepper, Ethan Regan, Barrett, and Britti.

King is a GRAMMY® nominated fourth generation musician from Greenville, SC, who started playing guitar at 8 years old following in the footsteps of his guitarist Father and Grandpa. Logging thousands of miles on the road as “The Marcus King Band,” he established himself with unparalleled performance prowess and a dynamic live show. His solo debut El Dorado, garnering a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best Americana Album.” In between packing venues on his own, he performed alongside Chris Stapleton (he opens for him once again at U.S. Bank Stadium - Minneapolis), Greta Van Fleet, and Nathanial Rateliff in addition to gracing the bills of Stagecoach and more with one seismic show after the next. He has been open about his challenges with mental health in his songs and throughout his career, and has launched various mental health initiatives, most recently a guitar auction collaboration with MusiCares.

MOOD SWINGS THE WORLD TOUR DATES

May 06, 2024 - The Moore Theater - Seattle, WA

May 07, 2024 - Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR

May 08, 2024 - Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR

May 10, 2024 - The Masonic - San Francisco, CA

May 11, 2024 - Grand Sierra Ballroom - Reno, NV

May 14, 2024 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA

May 15, 2024 - The Van Buren - Phoenix, AZ

May 17, 2024 - The Complex - Salt Lake City, UT

May 18, 2024 - Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, CO

May 22, 2024 - The Monument - Rapid City, SD w/ Chris Stapleton

May 24, 2024 - Denny Sanford PREMIER Center - Sioux Falls, SD w/ Chris Stapleton

May 25, 2024 - Harrah’s Stir Cove - Council Bluffs, IA

May 26, 2024 - EPIC Event Center - Green Bay, WI*

May 29, 2024 - The Pageant - St Louis, MO

May 30, 2024 - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Grand Rapids, MI

May 31, 2024 - Blossom Music Center - Cleveland OH w/ Chris Stapleton

June 01, 2024 - Railbird Festival - Lexington, KY

June 02, 2024 - Salt Shed - Chicago, IL

June 04, 2024 - College Street Music Hall - New Haven, CT*

June 06, 2024 - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion - Philadelphia, PA w/ Chris Stapleton

June 07, 2024 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA w/ Chris Stapleton

June 08, 2024 - Landmark Theatre - Syracuse, NY

June 10, 2024 - Ruby Amphitheater - Morgantown, WV*

June 12, 2024 - T-Mobile Center - Kansas City, MO w/ Chris Stapleton

June 13, 2024 - Thunder Ridge Nature Arena - Ridgefield, MO w/ Chris Stapleton

June 14, 2024 - The Criterion - Oklahoma City, OK

June 15, 2024 - Globe Life Field - Arlington, TX w/ Chris Stapleton

July 11, 2024 - Darien Lake Amphitheater - Darien Center, NY w/ Chris Stapleton

July 12, 2024 - The Pavilion at Star Lake - Pittsburgh, PA w/ Chris Stapleton

July 13, 2024 - Palace Theatre - Albany, NY

July 16, 2024 - Egyptian Room - Indianapolis, IN

July 18, 2024 - Huntington Center - Toledo, OH w/ Chris Stapleton

July 19, 2024 - Schottenstein Center - Columbus, OH w/ Chris Stapleton

July 20, 2024 - The Fillmore Detroit - Detroit, MI

September 04, 2024 - Orpheum - Vancouver, BC

September 06, 2024 - Grey Eagle Event Center - Calgary, AB

September 07, 2024 - Midway Music Hall - Edmonton, AB

September 09, 2024 - Burton Cummings Theatre - Winnipeg, MB

September 13, 2024 - Massey Hall - Toronto, ON

September 14, 2024 - London Music Hall - London, ON

September 17, 2024 - Kemba Live! - Columbus, OH

September 19, 2024 - Warner Theatre - Washington, D.C.

September 20, 2024 - Warner Theatre - Washington, D.C.

September 21, 2024 - The Ritz - Raleigh, NC

September 24, 2024 - Avondale Brewing - Birmingham, AL

September 26, 2024 - Riverside Theater - Milwaukee, WI

September 28, 2024 - The Sylvee, Madison, WI

September 29, 2024 - Vibrant Music Hall - Des Moines, IA

October 07, 2024 - Roxian Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA

October 09, 2024 - State Theatre - Portland, ME

October 11, 2024 - House of Blues Boston - Boston, MA

October 12, 2024 - The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA

October 13, 2024 - Brooklyn Paramount – Brooklyn, NY

October 17, 2024 - La Riviera - Madrid, Spain

October 18, 2024 - Sala Apolo - Barcelona, Spain

October 20, 2024 - Fabrique Milano - Milan, Italy

October 21, 2024 - Komplex 457 - Zurich, Switzerland

October 23, 2024 – Le Transbordeur – Lyon, France

October 25, 2024 - Essigfabrik - Cologne, Germany

October 27, 2024 - Markthalle - Hamburg, Germany

October 28, 2024 - De Roma - Antwerp, Belgium

October 29, 2024 - AFAS Live - Amsterdam, Netherlands

October 31, 2024 - Metropol - Berlin, Germany

November 01, 2024 – The Grey Hall - Copenhagen, Denmark

November 03, 2024 - Bataclan - Paris, France

November 05, 2024 - Eventim Apollo - London, UK

November 06, 2024 - Albert Hall - Manchester, UK

November 07, 2024 - Barrowland Ballroom - Glasgow, UK

November 09, 2024 - O2 Institute - Birmingham, UK

November 10, 2024 - The Great Hall - Cardiff, UK

November 12, 2024 - Olympia - Dublin, Ireland

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