“There’re so many awesome established artists who’ve put their hand up and said ‘Yes, I’ll straight-up talk about this,” says Melbourne hip hop icon Mantra. Eloquent to the point of practically creating an impulsive speech-rap in a few sentences, Mantra is passionate about his involvement in the plan. “From my point of view it’s great to see my hip hop contemporaries involved: Pez, Bliss N Eso, Illy. It’s an issue at hip hop shows, like it is at any live show: there’s a lot of binge drinking and rowdy behaviour. And whilst we encourage people having a really good time and getting a bit loose and letting it all hang out, there’s a difference between that and straight-up destructive and disruptive behaviour.
“I think more dangerous than the drinking itself is the kind of mentality behind that,” he continues. “The importance people place on alcohol; the associations between alcohol and being out at a live gig or whatever; it’s very common on a cultural level in Australia.”
Joined by the star punch of Cameras and Stonefield among others, Mantra will be working with Mushroom Marketing to bring the message through live music performances, workshops and social media. Chairman of the Mushroom Group Michael Gudinski speaks warmly of the Australian live music scene, deeming it “one of the best… in the world”, and credits the musicians, their live talent, well-managed venues and ardent live music fans with the scene’s incredible health and verve. “Binge drinking has never added anything to this world and never will,” Gudinski says simply. “The Live Solution program recognises this and provides a powerful way for young Australians to do the same.”
Mantra is especially fervent about working with Mushroom. “They’re using the powerful forum that they have in the music industry to kind of attack things that are important to our society in general; not just the music industry, but our community and our culture in general. I’ve been involved in a number of projects with them; a bunch of workshops over the last couple of years in schools, promoting the themes of respect and responsibility towards others. The projects which they’re doing are really good; really noble.”
It’s interesting to contemplate the artists’ take, at their own shows. Mantra assures me that even in a crowd of thousands, you can immediately pick where the problem pockets of an audience are. “I think in any music scene, the vast majority of people are peaceful and considerate as punters. There’s just a small amount of people that get carried away and let things like alcohol get the better of them. And it’s just sad because that can totally screw up a whole gig: not just for the crowd but for the artist themselves. If that kind of negative stuff happens it can totally mar the whole event for you.”
The Managing Director of Mushroom Marketing, Carl Gardiner, supports Mantra’s words by highlighting the connections and credibility that musicians develop with their fans. “The Live Solution program taps directly into this space to challenge the culture of binge drinking,” he explains. “Artists involved with the program all have different experiences to draw on when they talk about binge drinking and how it can impact a live music experience. The range of perspectives from the artists is a real strength of the program; and the mix of print and online channels they are integrated into allow and encourage this diversity.”
The propulsion behind Mushroom’s sincere love and support for Melbourne and its live gigs is also manifest in the Group’s Managing Director’s remarks about his own encounters: “Working in the music industry and running all sorts of events including many catering to under 18s and a youth audience, I see firsthand the positive influence live music can have on young Australians – it’s an experience that can inspire and motivate,” Matt Gudinski says. “The Live Solution program is a fantastic initiative that recognises live music’s importance in keeping this city vibrant and its youth engaged, while reminding music fans that binge drinking doesn’t improve the outstanding scene Melbourne continues to build.”
Who’d want to be the one either directly affecting artists’ and fans’ gig experiences, or indirectly encouraging friends’ bingeing through inaction or passivity? Look out for the discussion-provoking messages and stories from Live Solution’s participants over the coming months, and get involved. Raising awareness among your mates can only do good, and could do a lot more than that.
BY ZOË RADAS
