Australia News: Mental Health Study Finds Live Lacking; Kid LAROI’s Bad Week; Executive Moves

Study: Insufficient Support For Mental Health In Live

The live music industry and government need to support the mental health and wellbeing of music and arts workers “through industry-specific psychological services and evidence-based prevention, education and training programs,” said Clive Miller, CEO of music charity and wellbeing service Support Act.

Miller responded to data from the charity’s first Mental Health and Wellbeing in Music and Live Performing Arts survey, which was revealed at the oranization’s inaugural Head First conference in Sydney May 25.

Findings included that 66% of music and arts workers are suffering a level of psychological distress, four times that of the general population; 59% with suicidal thoughts, 4.5 times higher; 35% with a mental health condition; 29% from constant anxiety and 54% coping the past two years with drugs and alcohol.

A major factor that has had an influence on the mental health of music and arts workers is that one-third of the survey respondees are earning less than the poverty line of A$30,000 (US $21,600) per annum, while 47% are dealing with the stress of an unpredictable work schedule and 31% are worried about becoming unemployed.

While the survey covered the full gamut of roles in the industry, 20.2% were made up of crew, sound engineers and tour managers.

Miller told Pollstar, “Crew have traditionally been reluctant to seek help, but that’s changed in the last two years.”

Among Support Act’s upcoming initiatives aimed at crew pertain to suicide prevention and work culture wellbeing.

A safe space backstage festivals program where psychologists, other mental support and crew briefings are available will be trialed July at Splendour In The Grass festival.

The Kid LAROI’s Bad Week

The Kid LAROI postponed three “End Of The World Tour” shows first week of June after contracting a severe flu. The shows included two at Melbourne’s 14,820-seat Rod Laver Arena and the first of two dates at the 9,500- capacity Brisbane Riverstage.

The first Melbourne cancellation took place 40 minutes after the show was to start, leading to social media backlash.

In the meantime, the Sydney Morning Herald reported the rapper’s mother and adviser Sloane Howard pleaded not guilty in Downing Centre courts in Sydney May 30 to dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

On returning to Sydney from Los Angeles for the tour, the Herald said she presented herself at Day Street police station May 26 and was issued an outstanding warrant.

Executive Moves

Richard Evans, based in NYC for 20 years as strategic development, events and media director at Kim Heirston Art Advisory, is new GM of Perth International Jazz Festival.

In Perth he ran the Greenwich Jazz and International Players clubs, and founded the Indian Summer Music festival and conference.

Christine Schloithe is new CEO of South Australian music association Music SA.
Peter King, CEO of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, exits after 11 years.
Under his tenure, MCEC had a record economic impact to Victoria of over $1.1 billion ($791,875) and became the largest center in the Southern Hemisphere after a $205 million ($147.5 million) expansion to 70,000 square metres.

Martin Radcliffe took over late May as GM of the Adelaide Convention Centre.