A number of acts on this year’s Falls Festival lineup have backed Camp Cope‘s calls for gender equality on festival lineups, as well as for action to be taken to prevent sexual assault.
After criticising Falls Festival organisers for “booking only nine women” on the lineup during their set at the festival’s Byron Bay leg last week, Camp Cope saw an outpouring of support from fans, before deciding to take their message further.
Building on their 2016 #ItTakesOnes campaign and various safe space hotlines, the band called on Falls Festival acts to wear a new T-shirt design featuring the words, ‘THE PERSON WEARING THIS SHIRT STANDS AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DEMANDS A CHANGE.’
“Calling all Falls Festival artists, we’re giving you all some gifts,” Camp Cope announced on Instagram.
“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.”
A bunch of Falls Festival acts were later seen wearing the T-shirt during their performances at the festival’s Fremantle leg, including DZ Deathrays, Dune Rats, Thundamentals, Luca Brasi, BAD//DREEMS, Winston Surfshirt, Alex Lahey and Ecca Vandal.
There was support from others acts like Total Giovanni and Stella Donnelly — who were also spotted in the shirts — while former Oasis member Liam Gallagher agreed to a photo with the Luca Brasi boys while they showed off their new Ts.
Two young women were allegedly sexually assaulted at the Tasmanian leg of this year’s Falls Festival, with a 32-year-old man charged after allegedly grabbing a 19-year-old’s breast in a mosh pit.
Camp Cope, meanwhile, are set to tour nationally in 2018, in support of their forthcoming second album How To Socialise & Make Friends. Peep more photos of their new T-shirt in action, below.
UPDATE: In a statement, Camp Cope’s Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich says:
“My heart grew two sizes bigger yesterday from all the Falls Festival artists who listened, believed in & took action to support creating safer spaces & inclusivity for people in & outside of festivals.
“I am a young woman who has always loved music more than anything but who was terrified to go to festivals my whole life in fear of my safety. I refuse to allow that to happen to the generations that follow us. Especially at events we contribute to.
“Festival artists, bookers, runners & staff are a group of people with opportunity and a platform to reach people who need to listen. Demand the change.
“A very special thanks to my band @camp_cope who are my army. And my favourite band Luca Brasi who write beautiful & intelligent music that challenges toxic-masculinity by being four football players who aren’t scared of self-reflection & positive emotional expression. They have always treated us as their equals. They are a special few.”
If you need assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732.
For help or information regarding mental health, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
