Rakes frontman to play solo gig

The Rakes frontman Alan Donohoe is to play a one off solo gig next month.

The singer will play the unique set at Koko in London on September 8 for youth suicide charity Wasted Youth.

"The show will definitely not be a Rakes gig it will just be me doing a one off charity special,” he explained. “I will be doing one Rakes cover though, one or two of my own songs and a few covers. I'm not even going to say the instrumentation - it will be a complete surprise."

Donohoe added he decided to back the campaign due to a combination of personal experience and meeting someone from the charity at Rakes gig.

“I wanted to support the charity because I know what it's like to lose someone to suicide,” he explained. “I think there are more confused and angry young men out there than you would know, because it's seen as a virtue to keep your intense feelings unspoken or some things are just too deep to talk about down the pub. Even just doing this show may let a few troubled people know that they're not alone.

"I met Daniel Furvio, the Wasted Youth organiser, after our gig at ICA and he invited us to play his charity night,” he added.

To check ticket availability and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/GIGS, now.