This Wednesday on The BACK LOUNGE Rowan McDonagh (The Cowshed) holds fort while I’m still out fighting the good fight on summer festivals. It’s a hello and a chat, nothing formal, come by to say hi and meet the community. In what is turning into a bit of a weird summer workwise for many, no one need feel isolated and everyone is welcome. Wednesday 19th June 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT.

Next Wednesday on The BACK LOUNGE our session is CONFIDENCE. What is this elusive thing and how do we cultivate it and hang on to it? Helping us negotiate the curveballs that derail us is Coach-Therapist Beverly Evans www.music-in-mind.com. Everyone welcome, whether you’re a newbie to working in music, or a seasoned member of the school of hard knocks. Wednesday 5th June 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT. DM for the link if we’re not already connected.

Next Wednesday on The BACK LOUNGE our guest host is the fabulous Joanne Croxford ???????? rainbow hair, foxy eyewear and Sobriety & Diversity advocate in touring. This will be fun. This is a weekly zoom peer community for anyone working across live music and events. If you’ve ever felt isolated or a lone silo in a freelance world, this makes it better, we promise. Wednesday 19th May 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT DM for the link if we’re not connected yet.

This Wednesday it’s a catch up on The BACK LOUNGE with guest hosts Rowan Mcdonagh – production & stage manager, keeper of goats & champion of The Cowshed support group on FB; and Sytske Kamstra, yoga therapist & producer & music event freelancer. Join the chat, no agenda, if you work in live music join us. Wednesday 22nd May 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT

Next week on The BACK LOUNGE we’re investigating some of the alternative methods of treating long term depression and PTSD. Chrissie Wilson Turner is taking a look at psychedelic therapy, and recent findings around its efficacy. Chrissie is a therapist with training in guiding participants on their ‘journey’ and has been closely involved in research for 10+years. This is about exploring other possibilities to standard treatments and is not about advocating recreational drug usage. Come with an open mind. Wednesday 15th May 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT ????

It’s a check in next week on The BACK LOUNGE. No theme, just a how are we. Join our community to meet folks across the world who work in touring & live events and who understand the lifestyle – the good and the pitfalls. All welcome, camera on or off, talk or just listen. Wednesday 8th May 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT DM for the zoom link ????

It’s SAVE A LIFE and suicide awareness next week on The BACK LOUNGE. This session encompasses everyone, but we will lean towards men, figures are escalating – suicide is now the biggest killer of men under 50 (female suicide is also rising worryingly and we will explore that further in another session). Whether this is you, your partner, your family, friend or colleague – this issue will impact you sooner or later. Our aim is to explore possible causes, warning signs and to share resources with guests Eoghan O’Hagan https://www.musicsupport.org/, Kevin Braddock psychotherapist and author https://www.permitfullexpression.com/ and Rowan McDonagh The Cowshed Facebook group. We will be recording the first half of the call in which we hope to offer practical advice and signposting for help and support, with the second half of the call for sharing in a safe space – this part will not be recorded. Wednesday 1st May 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT. This is an emotive subject, but having the information to hand may save someone’s life. We hope you can attend. DM to join

Next Wednesday on The BACK LOUNGE weekly zoom it’s Mindfulness for Touring with guest music industry psychotherapist Jodi Milstein https://jodimilstein.com/
Worried this means the lotus position, joss sticks and ..erm.. tie dye?! Mindfulness is a technique than can reduce stress levels, help you have more restorative sleep, allow you to be more ‘present’. It can be a few guided breaths, or a longer sit or mindful walk. Whatever you choose this is a way to keep calm and carry on. Join us to learn more and take away a few simple techniques that could make a big difference to your wellbeing. Wednesday 24th April 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT.

Next Wednesday on The BACK LOUNGE it’s ‘BOUNDARIES’ ???? Lines can get blurry when the boss, colleagues, the artist, management etc are also your friends & support network. Its inevitable when you work closely, under pressure & for long stretches of time away from home – and all the more reason to have good boundaries in place for your good & theirs. Our guests guiding our discussion this week are the co-founders of Show Support Sam Tewari and Jack Williamson, former music industry execs turned psychologists/psychotherapists who provide mental health support on the road, including recent tours with Yungblud and Lewis Capaldi. Wednesday 10th April 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT ????We’re community support for anyone working across live music & events. All welcome ❤

Join us Wednesday on The BACK LOUNGE for a hello and a catch up. No theme, just a check in as the working year ahead continues to find its feet REALLY SLOWLY. We’re a community scattered across the world all with one thing in common, we’ve chosen to ride the highs and the lows of life in live music and events. No pressure to speak or have your camera on. If you’re curious, drop by, come and go as you please. Wednesday 20th March 6pm London, 7pm CET, 2pm EDT, 11am PDT.

Next Wednesday on The BACK LOUNGE it’s a discussion on HOW DO YOU SCHEDULE LIFE? With many of us with a lifestyle that’s erratic at best, balancing being away from home, often scheduled work over holiday seasons, different time zones etc, keeping in touch is hard, & then when the big life stuff happens that you can’t prepare for – whether it affects you directly or is back at home & requiring your attention… what to do? Join us to share lived experience of ways to juggle this & remain sane. Wednesday 3rd April 6pm BST London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT

Thanks for having me BIMM! Always a privilege and great to see so many women wanting to get into a career in live music ????