As part of the BBC’s Mental Wellbeing season, BBC Radio 6 Music will launch Change The Tune – an on-air, digital and social media initiative to raise awareness of the impact that online abuse has on the lives of artists.
The initiative will launch on Monday 13 May 2024 and has a number of features. 6 Music will debut a Journeys In Sound special, broadcast on 13 May between 11pm-12am. Presenter and psychotherapist Nemone will hear from a number of guests including Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self Esteem) and Lauren Mayberry (CHVRCHES). They will share their perspectives on online abuse and the challenges they have faced in the digital space.
The special is part of a four-part series exploring the link between music and the mind, and how music really affects us. Further episodes will see Nemone in conversation with Alison Mosshart (Tuesday 14 May), Paul Weller (Wednesday 15 May) and Jane Weaver (Thursday 16 May). They will discuss the songs that have soundtracked the ups and downs of their lives.
Live on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Monday 13 May, Lauren Mayberry will reflect on the highs and lows of her journey in music as she launches her solo career. From worldwide success to online trolling and misogyny, the singer-songwriter will speak candidly about putting negative experiences as an artist behind her – including online threats – and the cathartic nature of her solo writing, described as “psychological unstitching.”
From 10am on Monday 13 May, 6 Music will launch a social media initiative across all its platforms. The station will share: a clear code of conduct for its online community; a new means of reporting comments of concern; and films from 6 Music’s AFRODEUTSCHE, Craig Charles, Deb Grant, Jamz Supernova and SHERELLE, as well as Gossip and Hak Baker about their own online experiences.
Help Musicians’ sister charity Music Minds Matter is partnering with 6 Music on Change The Tune. Its range of services include a 24/7 support line, available for free to everyone working in music in the UK. From Monday 13 May onwards, audiences can visit BBC Action Line for more information about how to get in touch with Music Minds Matters.
Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music said: “6 Music has always aimed to be a positive and uplifting place for artists and fans alike, where we celebrate the widest range of music possible, both on-air and across platforms. With Change The Tune, we want to give musicians the space to share their online experiences, the good and the bad. At the same time, we will put measures in place that we hope will make our corner of the internet a kinder, encouraging and more supportive place for musicians’ work. I’d like to thank all the artists, presenters and our colleagues across the music industry who have contributed so openly to Change The Tune, as well as to Music Minds Matter for their support.”
Change The Tune is part of the BBC’s Mental Wellbeing season, which takes place throughout May. The BBC will bring audiences a range of mental health and wellbeing content across its platforms and services. They will highlight stories of those who have faced mental health struggles, as well as helping audiences understand how to look after their mental wellbeing, and where to go for support. More information is available here.
