Roady4Roadies Supports Music Crews

The arts industry has really taken a hit over the last couple of years. Our favourite performers are the public face of the struggle, but spare a thought for the more than 22,500 crew members who’ve also been stripped of their livelihood during the pandemic. Roady4Roadies is an annual event that puts them in the spotlight, and it’s happening this May.

Roady4Roadies, organised by CrewCare, raises awareness of the critical role that music crew play in the industry we all love. It’s also a whole lot of fun with a neighbourhood walk, family activities, and live entertainment. I know how much you’ve also missed that.

“The pandemic has seen the loss of at least eight stadium events in Adelaide. Each of these events has meant the loss of 450 production crew roles, 600 stadium staff roles and more than 250 subcontractor roles at a minimum of one week’s equivalent work. Multiply that by 5 major cities and that is 20500 crew who lost two month’s work each year since 2020 at minimum,” explained Peter Darwin, a freelance site manager. These are just the stadium events let alone the 52 plus entertainment centre shows … The industry is very, very damaged.”

Profits from Roady4Roadies go directly to Support Act’s “Crew” Fund. The tickets, available from Moshtix, are a steal at just $20. Get yours for a Roady4Roadies event near you and show your support.

1 May 2022 – Palais Theatre, St Kilda (Melbourne event 11 am start)
1 May 2022 – Lake Monger Recreation Club, Wembley (Perth event 11 am start)
1 May 2022 – Coopers Stadium, Hindmarsh (Adelaide event 11:30am start)
1 May 2022 – The Salty Dog, Kingston Beach (Hobart event 11:30 am start)
7 May 2022 – The Triffid, Fortitude Valley (Brisbane event 11am start)
7 May 2022 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin City (11am start)
7 May 2022 – Victoria Theatre, Newcastle (11:30 am start)
7 May 2022 – Hard Rock Cafe, Sydney (midday start)

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Get Involved in Roady4Roadies

Roadies are the unsung heroes of the music industry, the people who arguably work hardest before the musicians step on stage and enjoy the limelight. All that hard work takes a toll, with roadies having suicidal thoughts nine times more than the general population, according to research from Victoria University. One in six roadies follow through, putting their suicide rates at more than eight times the national average.

You could get bogged down by the statistics or you could do something about it and have a lot of fun at the same time. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth will host Roady4Roadies events on March 10. Adelaide will join in on March 24. During the events, members of the public and music industry will join forces, walking in solidarity and raising funds for Support Act.

At the end of the leisurely 4-5 km walk, participants will enjoy access to performances from leading musicians and family-friendly activities. There’ll also be the Crewathlon, a fun competition for roadies featuring events like the Cable Comp, Stage Manager Spring, and Sound Crew Shimmy.

Registrations are open now online. Mark this one in your calendars music lovers; it’s going to be great fun for an amazing cause.