Suzi Green, founder of The Back Lounge, Tour Production Group facilitator and tour manager for the likes of PJ Harvey, Placebo and Katie Melua, has launched a series of free workshops for the live music industry.
Following the huge response to the Resilience Workshops last summer, Green is combining the key touchstones of the TPG - sustainability, mental health and diversity - for a three part, community focussed series.
Green, who has long been an advocate for personal and wider industry wellbeing, founded mental welfare digital support group The Back Lounge during the pandemic, while also taking on a facilitator role with the TPG, a UK-based and internationally attended association of live music touring professionals.
With the ongoing return of live music set to ramp up further in 2022, Green believes that now is the time for meaningful education that can be applied to real world situations.
“These are the topics on people’s radar,” she said. “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 these subject matters.
The sessions are as follows:
Roadmap To Sustainable Touring
On Wednesday, January 19, hosted by TPG sustainability facilitator and tour/production manager Jamal Chalabi and tour/event manager Nathalie Candel, 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
Taking place on Thursday, February 17 and hosted by Music Industry Therapy Collective (MITC) psychotherapist Jodi Milstein, LMFT, LPC, and Dr Arun Castro MBBS MRCEM MRCGP MPH, a performing arts medicine physician, this interactive workshop will examine the factors that influence our lifestyle decisions and will address how - individually and collectively - we can improve life on tour from a mental health perspective.
How to be an Ally
On Thursday, March 3, 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. They will look at the ways we can create a safe working environment for minorities. This helpful presentation will ensure that your allyship is well-intentioned and supportive.
“The pressure's going to be on - we do have a shortage of crews,” said Green. “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.”
“These new sessions will help us to continue building that community. It's a discussion, at the end of the day, and our format invites you to ask for information, it welcomes interactions all the way through and I think that is what will be valuable to people.”
Each of the three sessions will take place on Zoom at 18:00 (GMT) and are free to attend.
To book your place via Eventbrite, please visit:
Roadmap to Sustainable Touring, Wednesday 19th January
Better Mental Health on Tour, Thursday 17th February
How to be an Ally, Thursday 3rd March