Behind the parties, packed dancefloors and carefully curated social feeds, nightlife has another side that isn’t always as visible. On October 23, Maltese DJ and promoter Daniel Blade is putting mental health at the centre of the conversation with a 20-hour continuous DJ set in support of the Richmond Foundation.
Under the banner “20 Hours. One Purpose.”, Blade will play from 8 AM until 4 AM at Truth Nightclub in Paceville, Malta. The event will be open to the public and streamed worldwide, with the aim of raising both awareness and funds for mental health support.
Connect with Daniel Blade on Instagram
Mental Health Behind the Nightlife
The idea came from what Blade has been witnessing around him within music and nightlife.
Mental health issues are growing, and I feel they are becoming especially visible within our scene,” he explains. “Behind the music, the parties, the smiles and the nightlife, there are a lot of people struggling silently.
It’s a subject that deserves attention. Electronic music is often built around connection, escape and shared experiences, but the people creating those moments aren’t separated from the pressures that exist outside the club. Artists, promoters, crews and audiences can all be dealing with struggles that remain invisible once the lights go down and the music starts.
With this marathon, Blade wants to bring that conversation into the open.
20 Hours Behind the Decks
Playing continuously for 20 hours is already a serious physical and mental challenge. For Blade, there is an additional personal dimension.
The DJ has spoken openly about living with ADHD and deliberately chose a format that would push him outside his own comfort zone.
I live with huge ADHD, and standing in one place for more than a few minutes can already be a struggle for me, let alone doing it for 20 hours straight,” he says. “But that’s exactly why I want to do it.
Rather than simply attaching his name to a fundraiser, the challenge itself becomes part of the message.
Supporting the Richmond Foundation
Funds raised during 20 Hours. One Purpose. will go to the Richmond Foundation, a Maltese NGO providing community-based support to people experiencing mental health problems and their families.
Founded in 1993, the organisation provides services including a 24/7 helpline, therapy, assisted living and mental health education.
Donations can be made online ahead of the event, while the Richmond Foundation will also organise collections at Truth Nightclub during the marathon. Businesses, organisations and individuals can also contribute through partnerships and sponsorships.
From Malta to a Worldwide Audience
Daniel Blade has built his career both at home in Malta and internationally, with performances in destinations including Ibiza, Mykonos and Tulum. He is also behind Yakuza Parties and several other events within Malta’s nightlife scene.
For October 23, however, the focus shifts away from another regular club night.
Those in Malta can join the marathon in person at Truth Nightclub in Paceville, while a worldwide livestream will allow people elsewhere to follow the full 20-hour challenge and support the fundraiser.
Twenty hours is a long time behind the decks. That’s precisely the point.
Sometimes creating space for a difficult conversation requires doing something that people can’t easily ignore.
Daniel Blade – 20 Hours. One Purpose.
Friday, October 23, 2026
8 AM – 4 AM
Truth Nightclub, Paceville, Malta
In aid of the Richmond Foundation
