>Youth Rockin' the Black Dog

Youth Rockin' the Black Dog

What is Youth Rockin' the Black Dog (YRBD)?

Youth Rockin’ the Black Dog is a music competition designed to raise awareness of youth mental health issues among Hunter and Central Coast youth. The competition encourages young people to get thinking and talking about mental health issues with friends, family and networks; and aims to promote the range of services available to support young people – both locally and nationally.

Youth Rockin’ the Black Dog is coordinated by a partnership between the Hunter Institute of Mental Health (HIMH) and the Black Dog Institute, with support from the local music industry in Newcastle and The Loft Youth Arts & Cultural Centre.

Youth Rockin' the Black Dog 2011

After a successful inaugural year in 2010, YRBD returned in 2011 with a new format, where 20 bands registered to compete through LIVE HEATS in September.

Six lucky finalists competed in the Grand Final, held on Thursday 13 October (during Mental Health Month) at The Loft Youth Venue, Newcastle. 

YRBD FINALISTS were: My Flying Machine, Free Willy & The Grace Brothers, Room 13, The Dynamics, Piecemeal and Carousel.

And the winners are...

Above: YRBD 2011 winners, Carousel. From left, Nick Shepherd, Sam Bonomini, Cam Hughes and Liam Bonomini

1st prize - CAROUSEL

3-track EP recording package with 500 CDs pressed, courtesy of Hazy Cosmic Jive Studio and Benchmark Mastering PLUS tickets to Fat As Butter 2011.

2nd prize - THE DYNAMICS

$500 courtesy of FCS Pty Ltd.

3rd prize - PIECEMEAL

$300 music equipment voucher courtesy of Allans + Billy Hyde Music.

Sponsors

A special thank you to our major sponsor this year: 

Thankyou also to our other sponsors: FCS PTY LTD, Fat As Butter, Billy Hyde Music, Loft Youth Venue, Hazy Cosmic Jive Studio, Benchmark Mastering, Ramsay Health and Newcastle City Council.

Special thanks also to all those who volunteered their time, including stage crew, photography/video, judges, door people and others who helped during the events.

Media enquiries

Check out our Media page for more info. 

To keep up to date with YRBD 2011, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/YRBDbandcomp

** Check out our Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing page! **

For information and reflections on the 2010 event, click HERE.