A brand new music endeavour taking place across Reading over the next year celebrated its launch event at one of the town's most popular venues.

Raze the Roof has been organised by Mike Bostock, a musician and recent cancer survivor, to raise essential funds for Royal Berks Charity specifically to benefit the Berkshire Cancer Centre.

The launch event, which took place at The Purple Turtle on Wednesday, March 27, was to kick off the initiative and fundraiser which will showcase musical acts and bands throughout 2024.

A variety of Grassroot musicians performed for the audience and supporters at the Reading club during the launch night. This included Andy Barker, Martin Butler, and the Dream Sellers band.

Mike spoke about his passion to help the charity that supported him as he navigated his cancer journey from diagnosis to recovery.

He said: “This is so important to me. Not just because the charity was so integral in supporting me during my treatment but also through my involvement in the Reading Grassroots music community.

“We will use this year’s event as a springboard so in years to come it will be bigger and better than ever."

In his opening speech at the launch night, Mike said: “Put RBH together with Reading’s music community and we have a potentially powerful fund raising weapon.

“Tonight is just the start and we will try our hardest to establish RTR as a serious cancer fund raising activity and have fun whilst we are doing it.”

Many of the musicians who are performing during the various events have been affected by cancer in some way or another.

Andy Barker, a Reading-based graphic designer and musician said: “This charity is very important to me because I know what it feels like to lose family to cancer.

“My dad died of cancer when I was seven and my sister died of breast cancer at 33. I only picked up music again two years ago after being away from it for a while and thought that this would be an amazing thing to get involved in.”

The Community and Events Manager from Royal Berks Charity, Martin Butler, attended the event to thank Mike for his support through his work across Reading.

Raze the Roof will come to a head with a variety of big bands performing at Reading Minster and other smaller venues across Reading throughout the year.

Over 50 acts have signed up already to perform in different locations across the town, from Purple Turtle to Reading Minster to the 3Sixty concert hall in Reading University and various venues inbetween.