Following on from the success of last year’s festival, Sydney-based symphonic/gothic metal act Carmeria have announced Scream It Out 2022.

Organiser Jerry Zahija, who is also the band’s guitarist, said that this event was born out of a desire to provide alternative youth with a safe space to express themselves.

“Having faced my own challenges identifying as queer in high school, I am drawing on my own personal experiences to create an opportunity for further education in the community,” he said.

Scream It Out 2022 will take place on Saturday 23 April at Hurlstone Agricultural High School – where Zahija is a passionate high school teacher – with all proceeds being donated to Beyond Blue.

It will feature live sets from Carmeria, Gravity Stone, Helios, and The Senior Citizens, interspersed with Q&A panels with representatives from Headspace leading conversations around Mental Health, as well as food trucks, raffles, and more.

Apart from its awesomely friendly vibe, festival-goer Marwan was thrilled that last year’s event provided “an opportunity for young people of all orientations to feel heard, valued, and most importantly included and safe.”

Zahija feels that while society has made substantial progress in the acceptance of individuality, there are still many challenges that young people face, particularly when coming to terms with their own identity.

“I believe we all have a duty of care to facilitate positive change and acceptance within our own community, and I aim to do that through Scream It Out,” he said.

Tickets of $15 are available at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/scream-it-out-2022-tickets-272471287957

Photo credit: Matt Bartolo Photography