Healing. It’s something we all need in one way or another. Especially since the drastic changes our lives took or continue to adjust from since a global pandemic. Sound Mind Live, the organization that brings together musicians, music lovers, and forward-thinking organizations to build community and open dialogue around mental health – leveraging the power of music to catalyze social change provided a space for healing this weekend in Central Park.
Saturday’s event was hosted by comedian Gina Brillon, and featured amazing artists Allison Russell, Wrabel, Kamauu, American Authors, Big Boi, and Cold War Kids.
Saturday at Central Park
It was the first 90 degree day of the year in New York City and the sun was being absorbed by every bit of the black beads in the turf section of Central Parks SummerStage. This pushed a good portion from the audience into the back where they sought shade, or covered awnings and bleachers for some solar relief. However, there were still die hards enjoying Allison Russell, Wrabel, and Kamauu front and center of the festival stage.
Things cooled down around the time American Authors took the stage. Fans of all ages rushed from the shade to front the stage and hear the band that started from Brooklyn play music to the crowd. The amount of kids ages 5-11 that knew every word and proudly sang ‘Best Day of My Life’ was absolutely shocking, but fun to see.
It was a pleasure to see Big Boi on the festival stage. He and frequent collaborator Sleepy Brown took the stage together and played songs from his 2021 project ‘Big Sleepover’ as well as fan favorite hits like ‘Ms. Jackson,’ ‘So Fresh, So Clean,’ ‘B.O.B.,’ and more.
I had to leave early but caught what I could from the Cold War Kids set on social media and it looked to be a treat as well.
Sound Mind Live curated a beautiful weekend in New York City of music and healing.
Sound Mind Live and Mental Health
The music wasn’t the only part of the festival weekend. On Thursday they hosted panels at Prime Produce. The panels covered the topics of Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community, Mental Health in Communities of Color, and Mental Health in the Music Industry.
Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community – the panel explored how we as a community can ensure the LGBTQ+ community not only have access to mental health support, but are also prepared to advocate for their own unique experiences. It included a performance by Wrabel and panel including Alyson Stoner, Actor/Singer/Co-founder of Movement Genius, Aruna Rao, Board Member at PFLAG National and Executive Director at Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies, and Lionel Ramazzini, Creative Lead at Hopelab.
Mental Health in Communities of Color – the panel explored how we as a community can ensure that communities of color not only have access to mental health support, but are also prepared to advocate for their own unique experiences tied to mental health. It featured a performance from panelist ELSZ, and a panel including Nia Jones, Consultant at Black Mental Health Alliance, Tia Dole, Executive Director at The Steve Fund, and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins, Advisory Board at The Jed Foundation.
Mental Health in the Music Industry – the panel explore how the music community can improve this mental health ecosystem and culture. It featured panelists Pronoun, Artist, Jennifer Leff, Senior Director at MusiCares, Jim Digby, Board Member at Behind The Scenes and President & Founder of The Event Safety Alliance, and Sky McElroy, Co-founder of Pack Records & Management.
Sound Mind Live brought together a weekend for Mental Health while raising awareness & funding for critical mental health services and inspires change.