Any day is a good day to support your favourite artists.
But every year in November, Australian music fans and the wider industry come together to celebrate a special occasion – Ausmusic T-Shirt Day.
This year, for the first time, the campaign is shining a light on its First Nations artists and creatives by simultaneously running Mobmusic T-Shirt Day.
PART 207 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE
Support Act is the Australian music industry’s charity. It delivers crisis relief services to musicians, managers, crew, and music workers across all genres (and in some cases, the wider creative industries) unable to work due to ill health, injury, a mental health problem or some other crisis.
It delivers this through short-term financial support, funeral support, mental health education and training programs, programs and services for First Nations music workers, and the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline. Striving to create a safe and thriving music industry for all is its main priority.
And it looks like it has been doing that job really well. The organisation has had the Australian music industry people’s back for 27 years.
One of its flag fundraising events is Ausmusic T-Shirt Day. Set to 28 November in 2024, this annual day of fun and awareness celebrates music from the Land Down Under and the people who create it, while raising funds for music workers who are doing it tough.
Music lovers are encouraged to wear their favourite Ausmusic t-shirt and donate to the campaign on or in the lead up to the day. Fans and industry people are also encouraged to share photos sporting their fave acts’ merch online.
In 2024, the campaign is returning with a new focus as well.
This year, the spotlight shines brightly on the impact of First Nations people in the Australian music industry. This is celebrated by the launch of Mobmusic T-Shirt Day – a special community-led campaign presented in collaboration with renowned triple j Blak Out presenter, Nooky – a Yuin and Thunghutti man.
The rapper kickstarted his involvement by unveiling a custom-designed t-shirt as part of Support Act’s Premium T-shirt range. Net proceeds from the t-shirt’s sale will support the continued delivery of Support Act’s culturally intelligent crisis relief and mental health services.
Nooky excitedly explained: “When approached about being involved in Ausmusic T-Shirt Day, I wanted to ensure that everyone was represented in the incredible initiative. As soon as they were good with me communicating [my support] as ‘Mobmusic T-Shirt Day’, I was so gee’d to be working on something new and Blak with Support Act.
I hit up the A-list mob I had on my phone to help me make something memorable… something everyone, regardless of colour, would want to wear. I also hit up the cuzo Jeswri to capture the vibe I was going for. There is so much Blak excellence on this shirt, from the greats to the young guns.”
Gadigal artist Jeswri – a veteran graffiti writer, art director, designer and illustrator – has created the exclusive t-shirt featuring First Nations artists like Nooky himself, Yng Martyr, Troy Cassar-Daley, Kaiit, Soju Gang, Dan Sultan, The Kid Laroi, Archie Roach, Briggs & Trials (A.B.Orginal), Ruby Hunter and more.
“It’s not a definitive list by any means,” says Nooky of the design. “Just the mob I had a quick line to… there are so many more mad artists that belong in here… but that’s for next year.”
Aside from the hip-hop artist, Mobmusic T-Shirt Day’s Ambassadors include Zaachariaha Fielding from Electric Fields, Becca Hatch, South Summit, Tony Armstrong and Emily Wuramarra.
Support Act CEO Clive Miller weighed in on the new initiative: “This announcement represents a powerful partnership between Support Act, AMTD, and First Nations talent in music, reflecting a shared dedication to fostering cultural change, visibility, and diversity within Australia’s vibrant music industry.”
There’s more. To further the impact of this new initiative, long-time Support Act partners, Sennheiser, have joined the fundraising efforts. The audio equipment manufacturer will match donations made to Mob Music T-Shirt Day up to $13,000, with all donations in this period also going to Support Act’s First Nations programs.
Sennheiser Australian Director of Pro Audio, Chris Smith, said of their involvement, “This year’s addition of Mobmusic T-Shirt Day struck a refreshing note as we are always trying to champion, where we’re able to, the creativity, production and songwriting work of First Nations artists.”
Supporters can get behind the MMTD campaign by heading to ausmusicthshirtday.org.au to grab a mob t-shirt and to have their donations doubled from 18 October until the matching funds have been expended.
In 2023, Ausmusic T-Shirt Day raised over $904,000 to provide crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing support to Australian music workers. With widespread uncertainty and financial and mental health challenges disproportionately impacting the Australian music industry, AMTD is encouraging the Australian public to get behind the industry that so often comes to the aid of others.
Will that amount be matched or surpassed this year?
If you’re interested in learning more about Support Act, check out my interview with its in-house psychologist, Ash King:
Learn about more meaningful initiatives in the Aussie music business:
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