Top-selling hip hop artist 360 and fellow Australian performer Kira Puru are set for a candid conversation about music and the mind as part of a Splendour XR event presented by Orygen on 24 July.
The event, Music. Mind. Mood. Repeat, will explore the role of music in maintaining mental health as part of a virtual recreation of the two-day Splendour in the Grass festival.
Rapper 360 will share his personal experience of mental ill-health and addiction while Kira Puru will discuss the challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns and their impact on the arts sector.
They will be joined by Dr Eddie Mullen, a consultant psychiatrist at Orygen, Orygen Youth Research Council member, Melissa Keller-Tuberg and Winona Gray-Levett, Orygen Youth Advisory Council member.
The event will be hosted by writer and occasional DJ, Brodie Lancaster, and is part of the line-up at the Forum, a virtual stage featuring programmed panels, debates and interviews throughout Splendour XR.
Orygen executive director Professor Patrick McGorry, said bringing together musicians and young people to talk about mental health was vital when young people were disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re seeing increased rates of anxiety, loneliness and depression in young people and disruption to jobs and study caused by repeated lockdowns,” Professor McGorry said.
“It’s important to give young people the opportunity to hear how others are navigating these challenges and the role music can play – whether creating, sharing, performing or listening – in managing their mental health.”
Splendour XR will be available via mobile, tablet, browser, desktop and VR on Saturday 24 July and Sunday 25 July. It will feature 50 acts including Khalid, CHVRCHES, The Killers, Kaytranada, Vance Joy, Charli XCX and Hot Dub Time Machine.
Music. Mind. Mood. Repeat, runs from 2.30pm to 3.10pm (AEST) on 24 July and will be accessible to all Splendour XR ticket holders.
Find out more about Splendour XR.