Well-being on and behind the stage: VEGA focuses on mental health in music life

From shift schedules to safe spaces

Kevin Le Geyt is Head of Production at VEGA. One of the first steps Kevin took when he stepped into this role was to create more transparency and stability for the technicians. 

"The first thing I did was to establish a transparent guard system for the technicians. It must be possible to see how much salary income you can expect to get in a year when you are permanently attached to a workplace, even if you are a freelancer," he says. 

For many behind the scenes, life is characterized by unpredictability. It can be difficult to build a resume, get a bank loan, or just plan for the future. VEGA wants to help change this, among other things by recognizing the technicians as an essential part of the creative community. 

"I also realized that the technicians were only men. Could we do something here?" says Kevin Le Geyt. "We invite musicians up in a fragile space where you put yourself forward and risk being judged. Therefore, behind the scenes, we must create a safe space where you can be yourself – and where diversity is also allowed to grow. We have started to shift the balance and have more women on our technical staff, which has never been the case before in VEGA's history."

Learning across Europe

In its work with well-being, VEGA is not alone. As a member of Liveurope, the European network of concert venues, VEGA shares experiences and learns from others facing similar challenges. 

Across national borders, there is an increasing awareness of mental health in the music scene, but there are also many different ways to approach it, which is why collaboration and communication are important, says Søren Gaden: 

"We have a lot to learn from each other. It's a new focus area, and everyone does it in their own way. Through Liveurope, we gain insight into what works in other countries, and we can share our own experiences of creating well-being for both artists and technicians."

Humanity in practice

For Kevin Le Geyt, well-being is very much about language and culture. Earlier in his career, he worked with a more straightforward technical language, but at VEGA he decided to change the tone. 

"I set out to humanize the Ideal Bar concerts," he says, referring to VEGA's smallest concert space. "When you are in direct contact with the artist, you are also a co-creator of the language and culture around the concert." 

It's about creating room for mistakes and learning, especially for new artists in the growth layer. "It's important to let the artists make mistakes," he says. "They must have room to learn – not be taught. Ideal Bar is exactly the place where there is room to try things out." 

When young bands arrive at VEGA after many jobs in a short period of time, they are met with understanding rather than pressure. "Tell me, what did you do yesterday? How did it go?" It's about creating human pauses in the middle of an industry that runs fast and often without stopping.

A shared responsibility

Well-being in VEGA is also about strengthening the mutual respect between staff and artists. "We talk to the technicians about how when a young artist comes in after seven gigs and is both tired and nervous, you have to see yourself as their teacher and share your experience," says Kevin. 

Therefore, VEGA has also removed the old designations as sound engineer and lighting technician and changed them to sound and lighting technician or stage technician. "Language matters," Kevin emphasizes. "It shapes the culture, and it can open up the space for more people."

A sustainable music life – also mentally

VEGA is a co-founder of the Music Life's Partnership for Sustainable Development – a collaboration across the music industry that works to create more social, environmental and economic sustainability in the music industry. Here, sustainability is not only about the green transition, but also about people: well-being, equality and long-term working conditions. 

As Kevin Le Geyt says: "We can't change society alone – but we can start by changing the way we work together in the music world. It's about making room. To the artists, to the technicians, and to all the people who make the music happen."

You can read more about their work at www.vega.dk