Music and mental health social enterprise Headstock has partnered with leading ticketing platform Skiddle, to create an exciting new event series: The Drop.

The Drop is a monthly house music event, designed to elevate the mood of partygoers, and raise both awareness and funds for mental health charities.

Harnessing the euphoric energy of house music, on World Mental Health Day, The Drop Pt:1 will kick off with rising stars: Shimrise followed by headliners – DJ superstars Solardo: Mark Richards and James Eliot.

Solardo said: “We can’t wait to come home to Manchester on World Mental Health Day to help launch The Drop. It will be a very special gig and we’re really looking forward to playing such an intimate show on home turf!

“We’re proud to have been asked by Heastock & Skiddle to kick off this exciting new event – and are delighted to be supporting such an important cause. More than any other genre, house music has the power to ignite feelings of euphoria & joy. We know first hand how music can elevate your mood and we hope that our set will help bring happiness to anyone listening.”

Known for igniting dancefloors wherever they go, Solardo have played in iconic clubs and wowed at festivals all over the world, including Glastonbury, Tomorrowland, Creamfields, Ultra and Burning Man.

For one night only (Thursday October 10th), Solardo will trade the grandeur of Dubai and Ibiza’s superclubs for Manchester’s The Yard Mcr, a converted Victorian school in Cheetham Hill. The talented DJs will bring their infectious and uplifting energy to just 300 lucky attendees, creating an unforgettable night of house music – and it’s all for a good cause too!

Supporting Solardo are Manchester’s breakthrough double act: Shimrise.

Yelena Lashimba and Latoya Reisner bring high energy performances and take an electrifying twist on house music, infusing percussion, bass and nostalgic curve balls into their sets.

Each month, The Drop will welcome some of the world’s most renowned DJs for an early evening rave, with proceeds supporting music industry and local mental health charities, chosen by the featured artists.

The exciting events, supported with a comprehensive city centre poster campaign by Manchester’s UNCLE,  will highlight house and electronic dance music’s ability to stimulate feelings of joy, and the 9pm finish gives partygoers the chance to continue their night out – or be home before it gets dark!

The proceeds from Solardo’s gig will go to Music Minds Matters, a national charity that puts positive mental wellbeing, centre stage in the music industry and supports the UK music community’s mental health through a 24/7 confidential helpline, peer support and specialised online sessions.

For tickets please go to:  https://skiddle.com/e/40081254

Founder of Headstock, Atheer Al-Salim said: “At Headstock, we believe passionately in the power of music & shared experience to positively impact our mental & emotional wellbeing. The Drop is an embodiment of this belief and amazing shared experience for house music fans.

“We are excited to partner with Skiddle to launch a new event series which exists to remind people just how powerful music can be to lift our mood and brighten our day.

“It’s very fitting that we’re kicking things off on World Mental Health Day with Solardo – raising money for Music Minds Matter. This forms part of Headstock’s long-term commitment to support the mental health of those working within the music industry.”

‘The Drop’ refers to the climactic moment in electronic dance music where a track’s crescendo releases a wave of euphoria, a fitting metaphor for the event’s mission: to raise spirits and support mental well-being.

A recent study by the University of London found that house music can boost the release of dopamine and serotonin—hormones that are crucial for improving mood and reducing stress.

For those unable to attend, the entire set will be live streamed for free and available to watch on Skiddle’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@skiddle, giving Solardo fans worldwide the opportunity to enjoy the music.

Skiddle’s head of marketing Jamie Scahill said: “Skiddle are very proud to partner with Headstock to launch The Drop. The positive mental health of our industry is always at the forefront of our minds and to work with our friends Solardo on this event, to raise money for such a worthy cause, is very exciting.”