Two Scouse musicians, known for their ferocious swagger, sit straight-faced and sombre.

Cars zip along Duke Street outside while in the warmth of dimly-lit Sound bar, Louis Berry and Jamie Webster talk of ‘dark places’ and unspeakable sadness.

They attack issues around mental health that can affect any one of us at any time, speak of personal experience and of friends who are no longer here.

And yet when speaking about Talk Tonight, the concert taking place at Liverpool’s O2 Academy this Friday, they call for solidarity and celebration; for openness and caring.

It’s the juxtaposition at the heart of the evening; it will be a night of stunning music sprinkled with the occasional tear, in memory of passionate Kopites Mick Woodburn and Neil Hughes.

Mick, who was a well-known match-goer, passed away last month while Neil, known to mates as ‘Yozza’, died in November 2016.

All funds raised will go to Paul’s Place, a specialist free postvention bereavement counselling service, and James’ Place, a non-clinical centre for people experiencing suicidal crisis.

“If someone was to walk in here now and ask what this night is all about,” begins Webster, punching out every word. “The best way to describe it would be: Scouse Night of Solidarity.

Neil Hughes (left) and Mick Woodburn (right) went home and away with the Reds

“In the days after Mick passed away, a few of us were talking about him after the Chelsea game in the League Cup. And we thought, ‘We need to do something in memory of him.’

“I didn’t know Neil ‘Yozza’ Hughes, but I saw him around. And if you were to see Mick – the last time I saw him I was in New York – he seemed fine. Sometimes people are too afraid or proud to talk about their problems.

“So we got the lads from the Anfield Wrap involved and the lads from BOSS Night and the WhatsApp group has about 17 people in it now and it’s taken off. Hopefully over the next few days we get a good push and do it justice.

“When something happens close to home, especially in Liverpool, we look after each other. It’s like instinct. When something happens you come together. You do feel good when you come together.”

Kirkby-born Berry, who burst onto the music scene a couple of years ago, is the headline act and will use his raw, raucous style to bring the event to a close.

The event starts at 7pm – you can buy tickets by clicking here.

Acts such as The Peach Fuzz and The Shipbuilders will also feature, along with sets from Webster, Timo Tierney and Kieran Molyneux.

The funds will help the charities involved carry out their specialist services – but on top of that, Berry believes that the night itself can help promote the importance of speaking out about mental health issues.

“It’s in the name of two people but it’s for a lot more people,” he explains. “If it helps one person, that’s what it’s there for.

“If you’re a person who is struggling or just questioning yourself, then come down for a night and enjoy yourself and get speaking to someone.

“I think you’re stronger to open up. People worry about their pride, but they should be prouder to say, ‘Listen, I’ve been struggling with this for a long time.’

“It takes more to put it on the table than to hold it in. So put it on the table, because there are people there to listen.

“It’s something I’ve suffered with before – anxiety, panic attacks. I’ve been there and I’ve been to that dark space. I’m through that now.

“But I was a lad’s lad and I was too proud to tell anyone about it; I’ve never spoken to anyone about it before.

“I didn’t know the lads personally but I didn’t need to, to know the feelings that take you to those dark places.”

Jamie Webster

Webster is a well-known face to match-goers, not just through following the Reds home and away, but because of his performances in the Halfway House and BOSS Night events after games.

Rocked by the recent news of his friend’s passing and the stark statistics around male suicide – 84 men per week take their own lives in the United Kingdom – he believes more can and will be done within the match-going community.

“Since the news about Mick has come out and the concert has been organised, people have been saying to each other, ‘Have a word with one another,’” says Webster.

“And a few more people have stepped forward over WhatsApp; some of my own mates have come to me and said, ‘Last year I was very similar.’ You don’t realise how close it is to home.

“I think Mick’s family are looking forward to coming down to the concert and seeing us. I just want the families – Yozza’s too – to be able to stand there and think, ‘Look at these people here for my son.’

“If there’s any way that they can look down now, they’ll be looking down and smiling. I’m not worried about the music in any way shape or form – all the artists have got something about them.

“Louis and the main support act, The Peach Fuzz, are two of the best live acts in Scouse music at the moment; in British music. I’d tell anyone to come down and see it for themselves.”

Louis Berry

Berry leans back in his seat and allows a grin to creep across his features.

“I can only tell you how it’s going to finish,” he smiles. “I’m going to be on last and it’s going to be rock ‘n’ roll.

“Me and my band are going to make sure it’s energetic and we’re having a laugh. That’s what it should be – a celebration.

“Whatever is going on in your mind, in your life, that day, when you come in that room on Friday you’re going to enjoy yourself.”

The event starts at 7pm – you can buy tickets by clicking here.


If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, the following list of organisations, drawn up by the NHS, may be able to provide help and advice.

Help and support is available right now if you need it. You don't have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.

Phone a helpline

These free helplines are there to help when you're feeling down or desperate.

Unless it says otherwise, they're open 24 hours a day, every day.

Samaritans – for everyone
Call 116 123
Text 087 2 60 90 90
Email jo@samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men
Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day 
Visit the webchat page

Papyrus – for people under 35
Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm 
Text 07786 209697 
Email pat@papyrus-uk.org

Childline – for children and young people under 19
Call 0800 1111 – the number won't show up on your phone bill

The Silver Line – for older people
Call 0800 4 70 80 90

Zero Suicide Alliance
ZSA is a collaborative of NHS trusts, businesses and individuals who are all committed to suicide prevention in the UK and beyond. Watch their free 20-minute suicide prevention training clip here.

Talk to someone you trust

Let family or friends know what's going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe.

There's no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what's important.

Who else you can talk to

If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know, you could:

  • call your GP – ask for an emergency appointment
  • call 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need
  • contact your mental health crisis team – if you have one

Important

Is your life in danger?

If you have seriously harmed yourself – for example, by taking a drug overdose – call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E.

Or ask someone else to call 999 or take you to A&E.

Tips for coping right now

  • try not to think about the future – just focus on getting through today
  • stay away from drugs and alcohol
  • get yourself to a safe place, like a friend's house
  • be around other people
  • do something you usually enjoy, such as spending time with a pet

See more tips from Rethink.

Worried about someone else?

If you're worried about someone, try to get them to talk to you. Ask open-ended questions like: "How do you feel about...?"

Don't worry about having the answers. Just listening to what someone has to say and taking it seriously can be more helpful.

See Samaritans' tips on how to start a difficult conversation.

Rethink also has advice on how to support someone who is having suicidal thoughts.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBs)

SOBs exists to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide. They are a self-help organisation and they aim to provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other.

SOBs
Call 0300 111 5065