The launch of the Now Sounds Midwest music video ‘Lost in Space ’ was a truly stellar experience, filled with live performances from stars and future stars.

Anticipation for the launch was high, with young punters gathering outside the venue an hour before the event was due to start.

Once the gates opened, around 300 guests streamed into Geraldton’s outdoor music playground Blue Heelers Square, to enjoy live beats, street art created in real time by artist Shah Jackey and delicious hamburgers, satay and doughnuts. As the sun set and the fairy lights began to twinkle over the stage and food trucks, the atmosphere was filled with the joyful energy of a music festival.

The excitement notched up a level when Flewnt AKA Josh Eggington and Optamus AKA Scott Griffiths took to the stage to deliver a banging set that had everyone feeling the beat, from toddlers to seniors. We were also delighted to welcome guest artist Sammy Bennell, who made a powerful cameo appearance, performing a song dedicated to his cousin who had recently passed away.

Finally, it was time to launch Lost in Space into the world, with the song performed live by Now Sounds participants right alongside a huge projection of the music video. Soloists and songwriters Colin Scott and Madi Middleton wowed the audience with their charisma and confidence, while Champion Bay Senior High School students Tilly Middler, Bianca Last, Samara Ellerington, Alysha O'Brien and the students of Mullewa District High School won hearts with their passion and enthusiasm.

Congratulations to all the students who wrote lyrics and/or performed in the video: singers Colin, Madi, Shalyn Hilton, +*; beatbox and didge players Mason and Jack McEwan, and students from Mullewa District High School.

A huge thank you to everyone who came down to Blue Heelers Square to celebrate the launch of Lost in Space with us. We were especially thrilled to see students and teachers from Mullewa District High School make the trip over to Geraldton.

Huge and heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made this project possible: mentors and producers Scott Griffiths, Josh Eggington, mentor and artist Shah Jackey, director and videographer Andrew McIvor and animator Nathan Simich.

Massive thanks to everyone who has supported Now Sounds Midwest: staff at Champion Bay Senior High School and Mullewa District High School; staff at MEEDAC; our partners Healthway, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Communities; and The Kids Research Institute Australia, who developed the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Arts Framework that was used to throughout this project.

Lost in Space is the culmination of the Now Sounds Midwest project, which saw young people from Champion Bay Senior High School and Mullewa District High School participate in a series of workshops in beat-making, rap, lyric-writing, visual art and video production.

*The + symbol represents a young performer who wishes to remain anonymous. 

Pictured top: Now Sounds Midwest participants performed on stage with Flewnt AKA Josh Eggington and Optamus AKA Scott Griffiths // credit Jesse Pickett