A Bunch Of Falls Festival Acts Publicly Stepped Up To Condemn Sexual Assault
Luca Brasi, Thundamentals and Alex Lahey were among those that took part.
A number of Falls Festival acts have publicly thrown their support behind Camp Cope and their campaign to end sexual assault in live music spaces, as well as backing their call for greater gender equality on festival line-ups.
Artists like Luca Brasi, DZ Deathrays, Thundamentals, Alex Lahey, Bad//Dreems, Total Giovanni, Stella Donnelly, Ecca Vandal, Dune Rats, and Winston Surfshirt all took to the Fremantle stage wearing black shirts emblazoned with the statement: “The Person Wearing This Shirt Stands Against Sexual Assault And Demands A Change”.
The move came just a week after Camp Cope publicly blasted Falls Festival on stage for their male-dominated 2017/18 line-up, with singer Georgia Maq pointedly editing the lyrics in their song ‘The Opener‘ to say: “It’s another man telling us we can’t fill up a tent, it’s another fucking festival booking only nine women”.
The shirts were given to the artists by Camp Cope, who put the callout on social media prior to the festival taking place.
“Calling all falls festival artists, we’re giving you all some gifts,” the band wrote on Instagram on Friday. “Call it by its name. Stand with us and demand a change. Be brave and wear this on stage. Come find us for shirts before we find you.”
According to Maq, some Falls bands actually declined to wear the shirts on stage. “Unsurprising update,” Maq wrote on Twitter. “Some men playing Falls Festival are too afraid to wear the shirt on stage, when they would only have been praised for doing so.”
hello @flumemusic can we give you a shirt to wear tonight please?
— Sarah Thompson (@slthomthom) January 6, 2018
They haven’t yet publicly outed the artists who refused.
During their afternoon set at the festival on Saturday, Camp Cope reiterated their call for greater balance on festival line-ups across the board.
“It’s not about filling a quota, it’s not about all that fucking rubbish…” Maq said on stage. “It’s about the type of world we want to see in music, we want an equal, diverse and inclusive music community, because that’s what it is.
“It’s not represented properly on festival line-ups or in big shows, it’s bullshit and we’ve had enough of it.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
Photos via Eventalaide and Camp Cope Instagram