When The Music Ends … is the mini-film & campaign created to remind us how safety is important in the club environment and we can improve it due our care for others – as simple as that.
MeToo Music to Release Video Production Highlighting Sexual Abuse Against Marginalised Communities in Nightlife.
It’s easier to say – I don’t care instead of I DO CARE.
However, easier said, than done. A lot of personal stories of the people, who are involved into music scene and those who like to party are showing how our safe spaces are still big playground for the abusers. Pretty often also these stories leak from the underground or mainstream often mentioning someone who abuse their power and fame or role in the club or bar – like for example a bartender who could just spike your drink.
CARE FOR YOURSELF & FRIENDS – Make safe spaces safe again
“When The Music Ends” is based on real life accounts from anonymous contributors, and follows the individual stories of three people from the most at risk groups identified in a study carried out by the Electronic Music Inclusion Initiative…
MeToo Music, a dedicated music industry activism group, is set to unveil a short production shining a stark light on the genuine instances of sexual abuse that take place regularly in clubland and the consequences that victims suffer. The five-minute short film will be premiered in Berlin on the 23rd October, sponsored by Beatport, Pioneer, Safer Dance, Ravemore and Reprise Talent Agency, it follows the stories of three individual characters as they find themselves embroiled in painfully honest, everyday situations that nightlife patrons and workers alike unfortunately experience.
The film, titled “When The Music Ends”, is part of MeToo Music’s #ForTheMusic campaign and was produced by Berlin-based production company Spilled Milk, written and directed by Mo Kanaan, starring Luna Baptiste, Frederic Balonier, Justus Riesner, Vincent Ercolani and Lujain Mustafa, among others.
Inspired by the findings of a study carried out by the Electronic Music Inclusion Initiative (EMII), supported by a wave of respected industry platforms, including Pioneer DJ, Beatport, Sentric Music, AFEM, IMS, Mixmag, RA and Women in Ctrl, the production aims to reach the clubbing community as a whole by showing what typical night out in a regular club could look like and the different ways that abuse takes place, the consequences the survivors face and what can be done if we intervene.
EMII’s comprehensive global study found reports from 28 countries highlighted 615 separate incidents, showcasing the bravery of individuals who shared their experiences. Predominantly, reports originated from the UK, Germany, and the US, with females aged 26- 35 most likely to come forward. Despite this, many still hesitate to report due to fears of inaction, disbelief, or retaliation. Notably, incidents primarily revolved around gender or sexual orientation, with a significant intersectional impact observed, particularly among women of colour. These issues, ranging from microaggressions to unwanted physical contact, are recurrent and widespread, occurring across various settings such as clubs, concerts, and workplaces. Artists and DJs emerged as crucial reporters. The findings underline a pressing need to address these pervasive and systemic challenges within the industry.
“When The Music Ends” serves as an explicitly eye-opening account of what many people have had to and still sadly endure throughout global nightlife, along with the permanent physical and mental damage suffered by victims. The film expertly also offers a simple perspective around the power of intervention and empowering others to call time on the unwanted and unsolicited sexual exploitation of and microaggressions towards others, especially high-risk, marginalised groups and communities.
Sometimes, what feels genuine can shift in a heartbeat, and suddenly, you’re left questioning every instinct. I have experienced firsthand the power of manipulation in the gray areas of trust that turns into sexual violation. where what once seemed safe becomes a danger, and our boundaries are violated without our knowledge. In these situations, the harm caused is not just from the act itself, but also from the underlying layers of deceit and betrayal from every direction. After speaking out and sharing the truth, one would hope for support and understanding, some can get justice and some don’t. It could be people you trusted, systems you believed in can suddenly turn indifferent or dismissive, showing faces you hadn’t expected. It is adding to the pain of the incident. It can be incredibly isolating and We begin to see how alone victims are left to deal with something that no one wants to acknowledge.
We walk in a world that still looks away, even now. Even today, in 2024, countless cases of assault fade into silence, left unresolved. It’s a reality we don’t talk about enough that things are not resolved alot of times. I hope, one day, we can truly look out for each other and break this cycle. I rate this video a 7. It is good that it shows the change at the end with a different perspective how things can end up but many times there are many cases with no one around to help. I think there are still many perspective from different areas that needs to be covered.
Kloxii, LA/Chinese musician based in Berlin
There is a website launched about the project, which will be updated with the activations planned in terms of panels, discussions and fund raising for victims into 2025. https://www.whenthemusicends.com/
Big thank you to the partners MeToo Music, Beatport, Pioneer, Safer Dance and Ravemore and Rebekah who is behind of this initiative.
more music features here
Get our latest print 350page + book
