In addition to producing groundbreaking music and delivering unforgettable performances, Elly-May is an advocate for inclusion, access and equality – which means her new show Headliners is the perfect combination of everything she’s passionate about.
Headliners follows Elly-May as she leads the quest to create two bands made up entirely of musicians living with disability. Joining her are fellow Aussie icons Tim Rogers (from You Am I) and Ella Hooper (from Killing Heidi) as the skilfull band leaders who expertly mentor and guide the bands – along with her dad, Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes who offers inspiration and support (just casually).
The trio team up to transform a group of musicians (who had never met before prior to shooting the show, by the way) into two bands set to play on the main stage at one of Australia’s most iconic music festivals, Mundi Mundi Bash in Broken Hill.
As the bands prepare for the performance of a lifetime, the series offers an intimate look into the creative process, struggles and triumphs, highlighting that disability does not define talent – and also the strides that still need to be made when ensuring accessibility in the Australian music industry, and beyond.
So what inspired Elly-May to get this incredible concept off the ground?
“It was a group effort,” Elly-May tells Missing Perspectives. “It’s obviously been something on my mind for a while – the lack of accessibility – it’s a big dream of mine never having seen people like myself on the big stage. My dad to some extent has always given me a space on the stage and having that experience has always been beautiful,” she says.
“Music is a universal language and it’s magic and it’s medicine. Being able to perform on a stage like that should be available to everyone, especially with such incredible talent. Having that opportunity is important, yet so many artists can’t access the stage.”
Partnering with her father for the show was particularly special. “I always love any opportunity to work with my dad. I’m a daddy’s girl and he’s such a huge support. That’s really shown now. He loved doing something with intent – putting the band together for a massive festival, and there’s no one with more experience or with more wisdom and heart than him.”
She hopes that the show will spark a conversation around accessibility and music, and lead to change – including beyond the music industry. “I honestly hope it’s a turning point in more than just music and starting a lot more conversations beyond just music. And also the representation hasn’t been done before. And the conversation around accessibility,” she says.
“I hope that this starts a conversation around accessibility in music, but I hope the overall conversation goes beyond. It’s also a kickstart to these incredible musicians. I want to be doing more with them. Everyone is about to fall in love with them.”
Her favourite moment from the show? Too many to count – but seeing the bands perform at Mundi Mundi Bash was a standout.
“There were so many. By the time everyone was up there in the big stage at Mundi Mundi [Bash] and seeing the reaction of the crowd who had come to see two new groundbreaking bands, not necessarily bands with disability, was incredible,” she says.
“I knew they had talent but it was a high pressure situation. Watching these beautiful musicians nail it and the audience having voluntary reactions to the performance. I was making a million plans for what we could do for the next steps.”
Headliners is now streaming on iview.