‘Teen Spirit’ is out now!
In partnership with Carclew, the first-ever teen edition of The Note arrives with the ambition of getting kids to gigs and involved in Adelaide’s vibrant music and arts scene.
We all remember our first gig: the butterflies in the belly threatening to overspill, the buzz of bodies singing along in unison and the elation that arrives from witnessing live music. It’s formative. It’s addictive. It’s life-changing.
However, right now, young Australians are missing that crucial coming-of-age experience.
In 2023, Music Victoria surveyed 500 people under 35 and found 22% of respondents lacked the motivation to attend live music concerts/festivals. Further, 16% of participants between 16-18 had not yet attended a concert before, compared to 3% of those aged 19 and above. These findings were reflected in a recent Creative Australia report, which found people between 18-24 were no longer the primary ticket buyers at festivals - a position they held pre-pandemic. Lastly, research commissioned by youth music organisation The Push found Australians between 16-25 are more likely to attend a music event featuring an international artist (curiously, 24-25 year olds are more likely to see local artists!) and that 52% of its survey respondents discover new music via TikTok.
Teenagers' music participation and consumption has shifted. But that’s where Teen Spirit comes in. In collaboration with Carclew, we’ve taken what we do best here at The Note – interviewing Adelaide artists, reviewing songs and showcasing why SA is Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music – and combined it with the building blocks teenagers need to be life-long music lovers to produce an engaging youth magazine.
Adelaide’s youth have been involved in creating Teen Spirit since the start, from choosing what artists we profile to penning reviews of hits from previous decades. Because of this, the magazine speaks directly to the generation shaping the future of music, encouraging them to be excited about the sounds emerging from their backyard, develop their own creativity, and be open to exploring the wider industry.
“By engaging directly with our youth, we are creating a space for their voices to be heard and their talents to be showcased,” says Carclew CEO Mimi Crowe when commenting on the partnership. “Teen Spirit is about empowering the next generation of artists and audiences alike.”
Photos by Saige Prime
In the first edition of Teen Spirit, readers will find interviews with two of South Australia’s brightest contemporary acts – Tkay Maidza and Teenage Joans. Fresh from winning Best Soul/R&B Release at the 2024 ARIA Awards, Tkay Maidza is one of the most in-demand voices in hip-hop right now, and in our conversation with her, she unpacks her trajectory from Northern Sound System to the top of the industry. Likewise, Teenage Joans (also nominated for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album at the ARIAs) are a recent success story who’ve put Adelaide’s music scene on the world stage, opening for Foo Fighters and touring the US in support of major outfit, Sleeping With Sirens. They speak to the importance of all-ages gigs and celebrating individuality in music.
There’s also a conversation with The Rions about swapping high school shows for sold-out Australian tours; profiles on five emerging local artists about to break out; deep dive into what it takes to become a 'bedroom artist’ with 18-year-old Marcus Anthony (behind Snake Pit Studios); and walk through SA's rich music history. Increasing teenagers' local music consumption, there’s even an opportunity to swap big-name acts (think Olivia Rodrigo and Ball Park Music) with artists living and playing in Adelaide, such as aleksiah and The Tullamarines.
“Teen Spirit was sparked by many conversations and reports highlighting a decline in live music attendance among Australia’s youth,” says The Note’s director, Olly Raggatt. “From my first meeting with Mimi Crowe, it was clear we shared a unified vision: to reignite a passion for music and the arts among younger audiences.
“Teen Spirit aims to not only spark greater interest in the local scene but also drive live music attendance and inspire career pathways.”
Inside the youth edition, teens can also read interviews with eight South Australians leading the way in their respective creative fields – from arts management to festival curation and lighting technicians – and discover multiple pathways in the industry. And for the scene newcomers, there’s even an all-ages gig guide and some useful tips for tackling your first-ever show.
This magazine wouldn’t have been possible without the help of some key organisations who we are very grateful to work with, most importantly our partners, Carclew. Teen Spirit is supported by the Government of South Australia through the Music Development Office and the Department for Education. In the coming weeks, Teen Spirit will be distributed in every Department for Education school in South Australia, actively engaging youth in the state’s live music and arts scene.
“Music is essential for children’s development and for the workforce of the future,” states the Hon. Blair Boyer. “This partnership represents our government’s commitment to ensuring that every child, young person, and community has access to connect with their creative future.”
You can read Teen Spirit online here.
