#AllMen: From Silence To Solidarity

It was after a panel at BIGSOUND in 2023 titled Allies at The Top that we—Chris O'Neill, Tom Larkin, and Luke O’Connor — had a shared realisation.

We’d been talking for a little over an hour about gender equality; giving our perspectives on the role men can and should play in changing culture, and proselytising the virtues of allyship. But, like many similar events before this one, and for a conversation that was very much concerned with the need for men’s behaviour change and support, our audience was mostly women.

Few men (if any from memory) had shown up, physically or metaphorically, despite our best attempts at asking our male colleagues to attend. As we wrapped up, it hit us: speaking to the people already fighting for change isn’t enough. The conversations we were having were important, but they just weren’t reaching the right ears. How do we activate men to play their part in change?

The Raising Their Voices report had already made it clear: our industry has a serious problem. Harassment, bullying, and discrimination remain widespread, and those who speak up often suffer for it. Yet, despite the undeniable urgency, the culture that perpetuates these issues continues largely unchecked. We realised that if we wanted to see real change, men needed to get involved in a more meaningful way. As men, it’s time for us all to do more.

That’s why we founded All Men… a challenge to the social media hashtag of #notallmen. We created it not because we think we have all the answers, but because we believe in the power of community. Just by thinking "you're a good guy" isn't enough to prevent the harm done in the music industry. We believe that bringing all men together in a supportive, constructive space is the first step toward creating an industry committed to learning, reflecting, and acting—together.

In May this year, we held our first event in Melbourne, where around 35 men turned up. The conversation was honest, it was challenging, and at times raw. Attendees felt comfortable enough to share their past stories and experiences, the times they made mistakes and how to do better. We broke into groups to discuss what we can collectively do as individuals and as an industry, looking at small changes, and at goals for the future.

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There was a shared understanding of us all needing to do better, with the palpable sense of community and camaraderie. By us all being in the room, it created a collective accountability where we agreed to continue this conversation and to bring others along with us.

We also understood that this is not a simple shift. We all realised the need to do work on ourselves, and to bring other men along with us, there will be some challenging conversations ahead.

Our mission isn’t to lecture or dispense mob justice. We know that conversations about gender equality can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s easy to think, “I’m not part of the problem.” But the truth is, cultural change at both an industry and society level, requires all men to take a hard look at ourselves and ask what more we can do. It requires men to get uncomfortable, to listen, and to commit to making our workplaces, be they tour vans, stages, corporate offices or recording studios —and our industry as a whole—better.

The statistics from the Raising Their Voices report are alarming: 55% of participants have experienced sexual harassment, and nearly three-quarters reported bullying. For women, these experiences are all too common, and the impact is not just professional but deeply personal, often leaving lasting emotional scars. And yet, the response from many corners of the industry has been frustratingly familiar: polished apologies, and a reluctance to engage with the real issues.

We know that change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when we hold each other accountable, when we lift each other up, and when we commit to being part of the solution.

Whilst definitely not the silver bullet, we want to create a space where men can learn how to recognise harmful behaviours, whether it be recognising it in someone else, or themselves, speak up when something’s wrong, and support the women and gender-diverse people who have been carrying this burden for too long, unjustly tasked with creating the solution, where men have been absent from the conversations.

We also understand that many men don’t know where to start. Maybe you’ve witnessed something that made you uncomfortable but weren’t sure how to respond. Maybe you’ve stayed quiet in situations where you felt you definitely should have said something. Being an ally isn’t about grand gestures or performative acts. It’s about consistently showing up, even when or especially when it’s hard, and taking steps to make a difference.

The music industry we want is one where everyone can thrive, and where safety and dignity are non-negotiable. That’s the future that many women and gender diverse people imagined when the Raising Their Voices report was released - and the one we’re calling all men in music to help make a reality.

Our next event is happening on November 25th from 7pm at Brunswick Ballroom, and we want you to be part of it. This is your opportunity to step into the conversation, learn from others, and contribute to meaningful change. RSVP now via all.men.aus@gmail.com