Making Live Music Accessible: The Role of Artists in Community Engagement
Focus on Inclusivity at Toronto’s Pep Rally
The Toronto rave, Pep Rally, aims to create a vibrant music scene that prioritizes inclusion. Organized by Chippy Nonstop and Karim Olen Ash, the event emphasizes the representation of People of Color (POC), queer artists, and women within its lineup and audience. A unique aspect of their ticketing strategy allows attendees to utilize a Pay What You Can (PWYC) model before 11:30 p.m. This approach caters to the financial variability of potential participants, with an estimated 25% of tickets sold at reduced rates.
The Community’s Vital Role
Olen Ash articulates a significant concern regarding who is responsible for fostering these inclusive spaces. He states, “I wish the onus wasn’t on queer, Black, and brown people to create these spaces but a pattern we see is that it’s often these people that can’t afford to say bye to that much money [offering more accessible options].” He emphasizes the need for a diverse crowd to enhance the party’s atmosphere, highlighting that while some attendees can easily afford standard pricing, a varied demographic enriches the experience.
Musicians Prioritizing Accessibility
Many artists are increasingly recognizing the importance of accessibility in live music. Musicians like David have expressed pride in seeing peers like Jeff Rosenstock and Pup take inspiration from Los Campesinos! to offer affordable ticket options on their tours. These actions reflect a broader trend among artists who believe in keeping live music accessible, often prioritizing community engagement over profit margins.
Redefining the Role of DJs in Live Music
For DJ Sherelle, the dedication to making her recent tour more community-oriented has been particularly fulfilling. She remarks, “It made me feel a lot better about DJing because it’s not attached to this sense of capitalist greed.” Sherelle advocates for broader discussions among influential figures about the necessity of accessible events, encouraging others with power to take actionable steps towards inclusivity: “Just do it and see how it goes.”