On the 28th December 2025 we lost our very dear friend and fantastic musician Andy Billups after his 16-month fight against pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him including the many musicians that he worked with throughout his life.

To celebrate his life there will be a special charity concert held in his memory at The Soundry, Hockley, on Saturday, 23rd May. The concert will raise money for two charities which helped Andy at the most difficult time of his life, Mesothelioma UK and the St Barnabas House hospice. Full details about the concert may be found at https://thesoundry.co.uk

Mesothelioma UK is the national charity for anyone affected by mesothelioma, a preventable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. They exist to support people with mesothelioma to live better and live longer and to prevent mesothelioma happening to future generations. They do this by advocating for better treatment and care, enhancing quality of life, supporting research and amplifying the patient’s voice.