RIDING a motorbike 2700km from one gig to the next for a worthy cause is how these rockers roll.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hastings-grown Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson has gathered a posse of celebrities to ride with him across four states.
From Big Day Out at the Gold Coast to the festival in Adelaide, the group will raise awareness for national youth mental health foundation, headspace.
After brainstorming the logistics of travelling from one festival to the next and in light of a facility due to open January 29 in Port Macquarie, Jamieson envisioned the idea as a way of drumming up support for mental health, particularly for youth living in regional areas.
He empathises with those struggling with feelings of isolation, grown up in the remote village of Byabarra.
“The rate of suicide, especially among young men and teenagers, is scary,” Jamieson said.
“Nowadays, we have the tools, knowledge and expertise to manage depression, anxiety and other illnesses.”
Port Macquarie’s Rock Motorcycles has donated BMW road bikes for the rockstar and his wife, Julie.
Riding alongside them will be Rock ‘N’ Ride co-founder and Big Day Out chief executive, Adam Zammit, Chris Joannou from Silverchair, Jake Stone from Bluejuice, musician and producer Paul Mac who is also at Big Day Out, Parramatta Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh, MTV presenter Kate Peck and Black Dog Ride’s Steve Andrews.
They will ride 700km a day, stopping along the way to perform acoustic sets at headspace venues and meet the local community for lunch, autograph signing, photo opportunities and giveaways.
Valvoline, Ice-Watch watches and Motorola are sponsoring the ride.
Jamieson hopes it will become an annual event.