“Dark Side of the Moon is about the pressures of life and what effect that has on people. It’s particularly interesting that themes from 1973 still resonate, some would say even more so today.”

“A lot of us might be feeling hopeless, that nothing we do can be useful, but sometimes one of the biggest things we can offer is a non-judgemental, listening ear,” says the executive director of KELY Support Group, Sky Siu. “Even just sitting there and listening, without giving advice, can be a huge help – you’re letting that person get things off their chest.”

Since 1991, KELY has focused on drug abuse prevention, mental health and positive development among Hong Kong’s youth. The NGO saw an opportunity to broaden awareness through Pink Phloyd’s shows and to further its outreach programmes with proceeds from ticket sales.

One such programme is the three month-long Talk2Me peer support initiative. It equips students with communication and active listening skills to support classmates coping with mental health issues and drug addiction.

The concert will not be the first time the seemingly unlikely pairing have worked together. November’s concert follows a similar charity show in March, held at the theatre in the Hong Kong Academy, a school in the Sai Kung district.

Scott [who didn’t want to give his real name to protect his privacy], aged 16, attended the show in March. “I was raised on [Pink] Floyd’s greatest albums, some of which were my late father’s favourites,” says the Sha Tin College student. “It’s almost impossible to cover Pink Floyd but the band performed the songs near perfectly last time.”

Scott admits that discussing topics like mental health and drug addiction does not come to him naturally, but music provides a smoother avenue into the topic. “The music they play [is] also easily relatable, whether it questions everyday norms in Dark Side or mourns a loss in Wish You Were Here,” he says.

Students such as Scott are representative of the wider audience that KELY wants to reach through music. “Working with a band gives us the opportunity to talk about mental health and addiction in a positive way,” says Siu. “We’ve found that creative mediums are a great way to engage young people. It also gives a platform and a place for release.”

Reeve points out music’s emotional and intellectual staying power, saying, “It’s one thing to read about mental health, or watch [a show about] it on TV, but with context, an audiovisual performance can really help you ruminate on the matter, and leaves you with a more lasting memory.”

Pink Phloyd is notably a visual as well as a musical tribute band, having a dedicated projectionist on the team, as well as a lighting expert who was on tour with the original band in the 1980s. The venue for November’s show, The Vine in Wan Chai, will allow access to more equipment and leeway for both the visual and musical experience.

In addition, audiences will be able to visit education booths and take part in activities at the venue before the show and during the intermission. KELY’s youth volunteers will support the activities, to help open up the conversation on mental health.

“We feel shows like this are much bigger than us,” says Reeve. “It’s about community, gathering in one big room to [help people] ruminate on the topic of mental health. Mental health issues touch everyone across all ages. We want people to realise that we’re all in this together.”

Pink Phloyd’s Dark Side of the Moon charity concert, 7pm to 9:30pm, November 9, The Vine, 29 Burrows St, Wan Chai. Tickets available at Ticketflap for a minimum donation of HK$150.