St. John's acts fundraise for lupus after Selena Gomez cancellation
Battle-of-the-bands show transformed into charitable fundraiser, after concert cancelled
Three St. John's musicians have transformed their battle to share a stage with Selena Gomez into a fundraiser to help organizations combating the singer's disease.
It Could Be Franky, Rough Hands and Lookalike will perform at the Rockhouse in St. John's Friday night to support Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who live with lupus.
The three acts were anticipating a fight Friday, as they were set for a battle-of-the-bands competition for a chance to perform at the AtlanticFest show in Paradise on Saturday.
"We had been looking forward to the show for, I'd say at least a couple of weeks, preparing — we were practicing almost every day." said Matthew Dines, one half of Lookalike.
This brings people out to see that we need the help, that we need more research.- Deanne Layman
But after popstar Gomez pulled out of the show for health reasons, and the inaugural mega-concert was cancelled, the trio decided to push ahead with their performance — in support of Lupus NL.
"We messaged the bands who were going to be play, and we said let's just do this for Lupus NL, and make a bad situation better," said Dines.
Gomez said this week she was canceling the remainder of her world tour to focus on her health.
The singer has been diagnosed with lupus, and said she has been dealing with the side effects of anxiety, panic attacks and depression.
A jolt for local group
It's not the best of circumstances, but Deanne Layman — the president of Lupus NL — said the incident has helped people become aware of the disease.
After the high-profile cancellation, Layman said people who were reluctant to get involved with her organization — or confront their diagnosis — are now looking to her group.
"I don't wish Selena any more problems that she already has, but in a roundabout way she did us a favour," she said.
Layman said she was thrilled to hear the three performers were going to donated their profits to her organization.
"It means everything to me because this brings people out to see that we need the help, that we need more research, more awareness out in the public," she said.