The Back Lounge spearheads workshop series
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Following the strong response to the Resilience Workshops in summer 2021, Green is combining the core principle areas of the TPG - sustainability, mental health and diversity - for a three-part, community-focused series.
Green, whose clients include Placebo, PJ Harvey and Katie Melua, is passionate about both personal and wider industry wellbeing, having founded mental welfare digital support group The Back Lounge during the pandemic, as well as taking on a facilitator role with the TPG, a UK-based and internationally attended association of live music touring professionals.
With 2022 likely to see an upscaled return to work, she believes now is the time for meaningful education that can be applied to real world situations.
“These are the topics on people’s radar,” says Green. “What exactly are we going to push ourselves through in the next 12 months? There's no doubt for anyone working in live music that mental health, sustainability and diversity are going to be a real focus. We need to look at best practice within these areas and really start to apply it.”
In order to deliver the sessions, Green has enlisted professionals with experience in the subject matters.
Roadmap To Sustainable Touring on Wednesday, 19 January is hosted by TPG Sustainability facilitator and tour/production manager Jamal Chalabi and tour/event manager Nathalie Candel. Following a global pandemic and COP26, many are wondering what the music industry can do towards a healthier and greener world - and music fans are expecting their favourite artists to take action. This workshop will teach the basics of sustainability on tour, from a small van tour to an arena-sized bus tour.
Better Mental Health on Tour takes place on Thursday, 17 February and is hosted by Music Industry Therapy Collective (MITC) psychotherapist Jodi Milstein, and Dr Arun Castro, a performing arts medicine physician.
The final session, to be held on Thursday 3 March is titled How to be an ally. Production and tour director Keely Myers of Global Touring Office and wellness and diversity specialist Joanne Croxford - both founders of TPG Diversity and Inclusion Group - will explore how the touring industry is waking up to the benefits of a diverse workforce.
Green adds: “The pressure's going to be on - we do have a shortage of crews. If we're serious about wanting diversity backstage and a more inclusive environment, then it’s all about how we can welcome new people in. Is touring a hospitable environment? Often, it is not.
“Everyone knows that working in this industry is more than a job - it is our lifestyle. When you tour, it becomes one compartment. Mental ill health, addiction awareness, the environmental impact we can avoid, our unconscious bias… these topics that are really only just being spoken about in a way that helps us to make better choices as a professional community.”
Each of the three sessions will take place on Zoom at 18:00 (GMT) and are free to attend.
