On October 1, indie rock band Mt. Joy performed at the Orpheum Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin, as part of a mental health awareness initiative for University of Wisconsin-Madison students. The concert was sold out, with attendees also experiencing a unique mental wellness event.
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Matt Quinn, the frontman of Mt. Joy, expressed gratitude to the audience, emphasizing the importance of recognizing life’s moments. “How incredibly lucky we are to be a part of this absolute miracle,” he said during the performance.
Harris Schwartzberg, founder of Two Bridge and co-founder of the Future Friends series, explained that the event aimed to build a movement supporting student mental wellness through live music and wellness activities. Students entered the theater as the space transformed, with red Future Friends t-shirts draped over seats, symbolizing shared commitment to mental health.
Future Friends, a nonprofit focused on campus mental health, hosted the concert in conjunction with various mental wellness events, including trivia nights, meditation classes, and a previous screening of a Noah Kahan documentary. The series returned to UW-Madison for its second year after launching with a performance by Alex Warren in 2022. All concert proceeds benefitted local mental health organizations.
During the show, students enthusiastically sang along to songs like “Silver Lining” and “Jenny Jenkins.” Schwartzberg noted that music serves as a unifying force, encouraging conversation and connection among attendees.
Prior to the concert, mental health advocate Kevin Hines shared his personal story related to suicide prevention, stressing the importance of reaching out to others with simple inquiries about their well-being. Following his address, Mt. Joy captivated the crowd with an energetic performance, including covers of classics like “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
The concert promoted a phone-free environment, as students were given pouches to stow their devices, fostering engagement and connection with the performance. Attendees noted that this encouraged them to be more present during the event.
The Future Friends initiative also offered additional programming, including mindful movement sessions and screenings of the unreleased docuseries “Common Denominator,” which features Noah Kahan discussing his mental health journey. This episode underscored the shared challenges faced by students, emphasizing that such connections can provide essential support in everyday struggles.
Quinn concluded the event by reminding the audience of music's power to bring people together: “Whatever you’re going through, this is a beautiful place to go through it.”
The event series not only entertained but also fostered vital discussions surrounding mental health, highlighting the importance of community and support among students.