Young musicians help shape Safe Stage campaign
Led and funded by Young Sounds UK Connector Hubs; North Tyneside Music and Music Connects Sunderland and North Shields Cultural Quarter, The Safe Stage is a youth-led video campaign exploring safety, wellbeing and real-life experiences in the music industry. Young People from both North Tyneside and Sunderland are shaping the campaign from the start and will work with CrewGal to create a video campaign based on their ideas. The project is currently in Phase 1, with a series of focus groups gathering their views and experiences.
The first focus group took place at Traxx Studios with young people from the Evolution Project. Supported by North East musician Isabel Maria, the session explored 'Low and No Pay'. The group looked beyond the time spent on stage, recognising the rehearsals, travel, equipment, promotion and planning that can go into a performance.
Working through possible gig and work offers, the young people asked practical questions: What does the fee cover? Who pays for travel? When will payment arrive? They also discussed when an unpaid opportunity offers valuable learning, and why its purpose and expectations should be clear from the start.
The group’s message to other young musicians was simple: “Know your worth.” They wanted people to feel confident asking questions, checking agreements and seeking advice from someone with more experience.
Three more young people’s focus groups are planned:
Discrimination and Harassment: Wednesday 30 September, 5–7pm at CrewGal Creative House, North Tyneside.
Unsafe Work Environments: Saturday 10 October, 10.30am–12.30pm with Right Track at Washington Arts Centre, Sunderland.
Informal and Exploitative Working Cultures: Wednesday 14 October, 5–7pm at To be determined, Sunderland.
Parents and carers will also have a chance to share their views at CrewGal Creative House on Monday 19 October, 5.30–7pm. A second session is planned at Culture House, Sunderland, from 5.30–7pm, with the date to be confirmed.
Phase 2 will begin in the new year, when the young people involved in the focus groups will come together with CrewGal to create the video campaign. The films will grow from the conversations and ideas shared during Phase 1, helping ensure the campaign reflects what young people want others to know about finding their way in music.
Keep an eye out for more updates as the young people’s ideas take shape and Safe Stage moves into its next phase!