In October of last year, the very first LISTEN conference took place during the Darebin Music Feast. Over two days, creatives from all over Melbourne’s diverse scene came together to discuss diversity, feminism, sexism and equality in the music and related communities. During a period where a great shift towards safer and more inclusive spaces for live music (for both fan and performer) was becoming more than just an idea, the conference provided a safe space for the discussion and celebration of diversity in the scene.
Following such a successful inaugural event, the LISTEN Conference is returning later this year to continue to host these the important discussions. This year’s event, titled LISTEN Conference 2016: Feminist Futures, will see an extra day added to the bill, making up a full three days of discussions, presentations, workshops, live performances and more.
With a program hopefully soon to be launched, the conference will cover issues ranging from artists’ relationship to making music, the pros and cons of ‘call out culture’, race and sexism in music, gender binaries in music and art and much more. There will also be two keynote addresses given. One by writer and feminist activist Clementine Ford and the other from performer and activist Alok Vaid-Menon of performance art duo DarkMatter (USA).
As always, LISTEN is a safe space to come together and discuss gender, feminism, creativity, writing, performance and more, with the aim to uncover new ways to nurture diversity within Melbourne’s creative, musical community.
With a focus on inclusivity, LISTEN Conference will feature affordable ticket prices with a variety of options as well as Auslan interpreting, childcare services, and disability access. 10% of ticket sales will be donated to Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance and Sisters & Brothers NT.
LISTEN Conference:
Fri Oct 14, Sat Oct 15 & Sun Oct 16: Bella Union, Melbourne
Tickets here
More info: listenlistenlosten.org
Imgage: LISTEN