Mini Global Climate Concert Series announced
AEG Presents is to produce the inaugural date of the newly announced Right Here, Right Now Mini Global Climate Concert Series.
The show is the first activation of the Right Here, Right Now Music initiative, launched by the Recording Academy and the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance (Right Here, Right Now) in a bid to combat the human rights crisis resulting from climate change.
The series will present arena acts at small concert venues around the globe, while shining a light on alarming climate issues. It will launch on Thursday 13 April at the Boulder Theater in Colorado, headlined by Wesley Schultz, lead singer of the Lumineers. The show, which will also feature special guests including Yola, will be filmed by Citizen Pictures for a later broadcast.
“We are honoured to be working with several United Nations-supported global music initiatives to bring together artists and create unique music events to promote social justice around the world,” says Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “Music has no boundaries so we are excited to partner with the artist community and work with the United Nations to further their human rights goals and ultimately, better the world.”
“Music provides a platform for the biggest megaphone in the world”
Further concerts are being planned in cities on multiple continents, with discussions underway for potential events in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, London, Johannesburg, Bogotá and Dubai. Proceeds will go to United Nations Human Rights climate justice initiatives and music charity MusiCares.
“It is a privilege and honour to be partnering with the Recording Academy in the development of multiple global music initiatives supported by United Nations Human Rights, including Right Here, Right Now Music, which will elevate global awareness to help reframe climate change as the human rights crisis that it is,” adds David Clark, founder and CEO of Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance.
“Music provides a platform for the biggest megaphone in the world, and working with the Recording Academy, the most renowned music organisation in the world, will help ensure the Right Here, Right Now Mini Global Climate Concert Series gives voice to those who all too often have none.”
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Bravado launches charitable face mask range
Universal Music Group-owned merchandising company Bravado has launched a range of face masks to raise money for charity partners including MusiCares and Help Musicians UK.
As reported by IQ earlier this week, face masks are becoming must-have merchandise for music fans, with bands including My Chemical Romance and Korn added branded face coverings to their merch offerings.
Now, UMG’s merchandising arm, Bravado, has unveiled its own range of reusable, washable cloth face masks. Available on the new We’ve Got You Covered e-commerce site, Bravado’s masks feature designs for artists including the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Blackpink, Billie Eilish and the Weeknd.
Starting today (24 April), fans can purchase Bravado’s face masks for US$15. All net proceeds – no less than $8 per product sold – go towards charities supporting the music industry through the coronavirus crisis.
“This initiative will continue to grow and evolve thanks to the hard work from everyone here at Bravado and UMG along with our artists across the globe”
“I’m humbled and grateful to work with artists and partners who are passionate and driven to deliver a program that supports those that need it most during this unprecedented time,” comments Bravado CEO, Mat Vlasic.
“This initiative will continue to grow and evolve thanks to the hard work from everyone here at Bravado and UMG along with our artists across the globe.”
All UMG employees have been offered free face masks through the We’ve Got You Covered programme.
The company will also contribute 50,000 masks to those serving communities across the US including workers in food banks, school lunch programmes, homeless shelters and other community service providers.
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Music Support announces London events
UK industry charity Music Support has announced two events taking place in London later this month.
The first, Where is the Line?, will take place at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill on Tuesday 30 January, and see Harold Owens, senior director of the Recording Academy’s MusiCares division, give a presentation on a number of issues around addiction.
Owens will also chair a panel feature veteran Manager Bill Curbishley (The Who, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page) and Warner Chappell UK managing director Mike Smith.
The event is free to music industry professionals.
The second event, Let’s Push Things Forward, is an all-day workshop focusing on addiction, mental health and recovery in the music industry, over a full day on 31 January at the Marriott in Kensington.
Addressing key issues for artists suffering from addiction and related mental health issues, as well as those responsible for them, Let’s Push Things Forward will be led by Owens in conjunction with Nanette Zumwalt of the International Recovery Institute.
“This is a significant coming together, symbolically and practically”
This workshop is being hosted by the International Conference on Addiction and Associated Disorders (iCAAD) and is presented in association with the Brit Trust and the Music Managers Forum.
Let’s Push Things Forward is open to anyone from the music industry. Tickets are priced at £35, with five bursaries available on application to [email protected].
Music Support co-founder Matt Thomas comments: “Creating a platform not only to discuss the issues among ourselves as an industry and share our experiences, but also to bring in experienced professionals to deliver practical hands on skills, is a major step forward. Education and training facilitate prevention, treatment and continuing care.
That this has been made possible by the support of the BPI, Brit Trust, Music Managers Forum, and sponsored by Crossroads Antigua, is a significant coming together symbolically and practically. Teaming up with MusiCares means that we are now truly international, and I truly believe that together we can make a difference.”
Music Support, co-founded by Thomas (pictured), a former artist manager, production manager Andy Franks, musicians Mark Richardson and Rachel Lander (both recovering addicts) and addiction counsellor Johan Sorensen, launched in April 2016.
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