Live production crew are the unseen but essential backbone of the music events that we all enjoy, but these roles can often take their toll on those involved.
An Entertainment Assist study, conducted by Victoria University in 2015, revealed shocking rates of mental health problems within the entertainment industry. Figures showed the rate of attempted suicide in the industry is more than double the rest of the population. Scarily, it also found road crew members considered taking their own lives nearly nine times more than the general population.
Independent figures have shown one in six roadies commit suicide over eight times the national average!!!
The inaugural Roady4Roadies is our chance to give back to those who give us so much with walks taking place in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth on Sunday, 10 March and in Adelaide on Sunday, 24 March. The walks are open to the public and industry alike, with all profits going to Support Act.
The aim of Roady4Roadies is to bring public awareness to the diverse range of highly technical and creative skills required to make our dreams to come true, and raise desperately needed funds to help those in crisis.
The day commences with the Roady4Roadies Walk (a leisurely 4-5kms) culminating in a variety of family activities and performances at well-known entertainment precincts. All walk participants receive a free t-shirt & crew laminate – with sunscreen and bottled water available along the route.
Then there’s the Crewathlon, a fun and friendly competition for teams of roadies, with events including the Cable Comp, Stage Manager Sprint, Lighting Crew Limbo and Sound Crew Shimmy! There’ll be food, awards, speeches and prizes. The day concludes with live entertainment from some of the country”s leading artists.
Renowned music industry figure and author, Stuart Coupe, is the Roady4Roadies Ambassador. Stuart’s most recent publication, ‘Roadies – The Secret History of Australian Rock N Roll’ documents the history of crew, their trials, tribulations, successes and humour and is available now at www.roady4roadies.com/roadies.
Roady4Roadies is being staged by a voluntary team of Australia’s leading live production personnel and industry professionals. All proceeds go directly to Support Act.
Tickets for the Roady4Roadies walk and family day entertainment are on sale now. Go to www.roady4roadies.com/event-registration for information on each city’s walk and Crewathlon venue and to register / purchase tickets.
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