Safety first at BASSINTHEGRASS with DanceWize back on board

The Northern Territory’s biggest, best and longest-running music festival, BASSINTHEGRASS, continues to set an industry benchmark, with event organisers working with evidence-based, peer alcohol and other drugs harm-reduction group DanceWize for the 2022 event.

This year’s instalment of the popular beachside music festival will take place on 21 May at one of the Top End’s most iconic locations, Mindil Beach, with an incredible line-up featuring some of the biggest names in Australian music.

NTMEC has worked alongside the Association of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies NT (AADANT), NT Health and the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre to bring DanceWize to BASSINTHEGRASS again this year after a successful collaboration last year.
BASSINTHEGRASS 2021 was one for the history books, with a record-breaking crowd of 14,000 gathering beachside for 12 hours of non-stop music. With even more music fans expected to attend the 2022 event, the importance of strengthening harm-reduction programs like DanceWize to promote the wellbeing of attendees has never been more important.

BASSINTHEGRASS is delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) and supported by the Northern Territory Government. NTMEC Chief Executive Officer Tim Watsford said DanceWize is a valuable addition to the event’s harm-reduction strategy.

“The results of last year’s BASSINTHEGRASS speak for themselves, and we are very grateful to be working with DanceWize again in 2022 to ensure festivalgoers have the best time possible,” he said. “BASSINTHEGRASS 2021 was a stand-out on Australia’s events calendar last year for all the right reasons, and we are working hard with stakeholders such as DanceWize to deliver even more this year.”

A post-event report compiled by DanceWize following BASSINTHEGRASS 2021 showed DanceWize representatives recorded more than 9000 patron contacts at the event. They ranged from simple interactions about how to stay hydrated and sun-safe, to conversations around alcohol and other drugs use, and referrals to the medical team.

Research also revealed 76 per cent of BASSINTHEGRASS attendees surveyed rated their experience with DanceWize staff as four or five out of five.

AADANT Executive Officer Peter Burnheim said developing harm-reduction policies, protocols and practices at events like BASSINTHEGRASS was crucial for the wellbeing of attendees.

“The success of the program at BASSINTHEGRASS last year has meant we can look at working with DanceWize across a range of other Territory events,” he said. “We’re proud to collaborate with Northern Territory Major Events Company and stakeholders such as DanceWize to play a vital role in providing education and support for festival attendees.”

BASSINTHEGRASS Final Release tickets are on sale now for $130 (plus booking fee). Last year’s BASSINTHEGRASS sold out months in advance. Visit www.bassinthegrass.com.au.