Augustines Fans Donate Tickets to the River Reeves Foundation

Originally published on arewea.live

A group of Augustines fans has bought extra tickets for the band’s last gig and has donated them to young musicians supported by the River Reeves Foundation, so that those musicians can see that dreams can come true.

River Reeves was a member of the band Viola Beach, whose members all perished in a crash in Sweden in February 2016. The River Reeves Foundation was set up by members of his family in his memory. Quoting from their website:

The River Reeves Foundation has the ambition to help young people realise their dreams as actors, writers, artists directors and musicians through grants, donations and other payments. We aim to provide the financial support that ensures passionate, talented young men and women can dare to dream about their futures within the arts.

Augustines fans, having seen the band rise from the ashes of Pela back in 2009, and are now watching them wrap up a final tour largely to silence from an indifferent music industry, are keenly aware of how important it is for artists to be able to dream, and to know that their dreams can succeed.

When contacted for a comment, Lisa Whiteman, one of the fans organising the ticket donations, said “Myself and a few others have bought additional tickets and are giving them to musicians who need to see that dreams come true. That you don’t fall at the first or second hurdle and you believe. Six [tickets are] going to the River Reeves foundation, five to a Liverpool band who recently split but remain best friends, 5 to buskers.”

This was not a move requested by Augustines, themselves, but Whiteman stresses that this is in keeping with the band’s ethos. “[This is] our way of extending the legacy of Augustines beyond the music,” she said.

Augustines play their final date at Liverpool’s O2 Academy on October 31st 2016. Tickets are still available through the band’s website.