Big Day Out CEO Adam Zammit and Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson have founded a program to engage regional youths and help raise awareness about the mental health issues many struggle with.
The Rock ‘N’ Ride initiative has partnered with national youth foundation Headspace to tour the country with some of Australia’s most lionised musicians and media personalities. For five days this month, the troupe will travel by motorbike through four states for performances, meet and greets and giveaways, stopping in regional towns in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Along for the ride with Zammit and Jamieson are Silverchair bassist/producer Chris Joannou, Jake Stone of Bluejuice, songwriter/artist/producer Paul Mac, models Kate Peck and Julie Jamieson and Parramatta Eels rugby legend Nathan Hindmarsh.
Adam Zammit has said he hopes the tour and partnership with Headspace will provide a support outlet for Australian youth.
"Over the 21 years of Big Day Out we have seen hundreds of thousands of young Australians from 15 years and older and many musicians and artists grow up and get through a variety of personal challenges, as we all do in life.
"It is important that we continue to remind young Australians that there is always support and that it’s important and OK to talk about mental health, we hope Rock 'N' Ride is the start of a great enduring partnership between headspace and Big Day Out to keep youth mental health at the top of everyone’s agenda."
Headspace CEO Chris Tanti said: "Every year we get involved with Big Day Out festivals across the country and this year we’re excited to take this partnership to another level. Rock ‘N’ Ride gives us the chance to engage regional young people in their communities and at headspace centres to create awareness of the mental health issues young people face and where they can go to get support."
- Poppy Reid, The Music Network
