MKZ Productions has teamed up with the Hamilton Station Hotel and headspace Newcastle to present Minds Matter, a festival of music taking place on 8 June 2024.
The event will feature an array of local Newcastle musicians joining forces to raise awareness and funds for mental health.
The Minds Matter idea came to life after the loss of loved ones, to suicide, at the back end of 2023.
MKZ Productions’, Keaton Boyce and Zoey Simpson wanted to bring the music community together after a tough year.
“Something needed to be done. When I took this idea of a mental health fundraiser gig to Keaton, he was fully on board, and his support really helped me get through these hard few months,” Zoey said
The Minds Matter event will showcase a total of 16 music acts, the majority residing in the Newcastle and Hunter region.
Keaton and Zoey aim to use the Minds Matter event to fundraise for headspace Newcastle and promote open conversations around mental well-being.
“headspace has always helped mates in need around me and continues to support the youth all around Australia. I have always looked up towards their eagerness to do community functions such as live music events” Keaton said.
Headspace Newcastle provides early intervention mental health services to 12–25-year-olds. By partnering with headspace Newcastle, MKZ Productions aim to direct the fundraising efforts toward local musical initiatives that engage the regions youth, aligning with the event’s mission.
Community Development Officer from headspace Newcastle, Byron Williams said that for many people music is a healing tool, and they are excited to be able to partner with the Hamilton Station Hotel on this initiative.
“Music has always been a way for the community to connect and make sense of things. Young people supporting young people…. It doesn’t get any better than that! It’s a privilege that headspace Newcastle is able to support MKZ to realise the Mind’s Matter event,” he said.
With a passion for music and the Newcastle community, Zoe and Keaton hope this will be the start of many more events for MKZ productions.
“Music is one of the biggest art forms that Newcastle offers. It’s a source of friendships, community, and entertainment. With so many original artists coming out of this town, we are eager to showcase their talent and support the local music scene as much as possible,” Zoey concluded.
Tickets to this event will be available via the Hamilton Station Hotel website.
IMAGE | MKZ Productions, Keaton Boyce and headspace Newcastle’s Community Development Officer, Byron Williams (left-right).
