How “Live Again” Came to Light

The “Live Again” project came from a song Melissa had written, which was initially meant to reflect the struggles of a close friend who was dealing with mental health challenges.

However, as Melissa explained: “When I recorded it and listened to the playbacks, I realised how much of my own plight, or struggle, or challenges—my own complexities—were being spoken about in this song.”

After this deeply personal realisation, Melissa decided to invite members of her singing group to join her in performing the song at a launch party. The response? It was overwhelming. Attendees shared their own personal stories of loss, struggle, and the healing power of music. It was then that it became clear to Melissa that she had tapped into something profoundly impactful.

Creating Spaces for Healing and Connection

What happened next is incredible: from that single event, “Live Again” grew into a larger movement. Melissa began organising more performances and recording sessions, inviting participants from a broader community.

One of these events, held in a café in an unlikely location, showcases the incredible commitment of the attendees: “People came; they made an effort to be there on a cold, wintry Saturday morning in February,” Melissa recalled. “It’s not the easiest place to get to if you’re not traveling somewhere, but they came.”

From these initial gatherings, the “Live Again” project evolved into a space where individuals could connect and express themselves through music.

For participants, performing alongside professional musicians was deeply impactful: “We’re not just singing in front of friends and family; we’re singing in front of an audience that has bought tickets to this festival. That’s really empowering, you know?”

The Transformative Power of Music

Hearing Melissa talk about this highlights what I often explore on Living on the B Side: music is an incredible force that gives people a voice and a sense of belonging.

By creating these spaces for self-expression and connection, the “Live Again” project has become a powerful tool for addressing the often-stigmatised topic of mental health.

As Melissa puts it: “We all have expression that needs to come out. And your expression might be through more singing in a group with other people, but your expression might also be, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s this book in me that I want to write.”

Why This Matters to My Audience—the B Siders

Here on the B Side, I truly believe that music has the unique ability to touch the quiet ones, the introspective souls, and everyone else who feels like they live on the “B Side” of life—those who feel deeply and see the world differently.

Having Melissa share her story on my show is such a wonderful, powerful reminder that music is more than “just background noise”. It’s a catalyst for healing and self-discovery, especially for those who struggle to find their voice in this noisy world.

After hearing Melissa’s journey, I found myself pondering: how can we use music to create spaces for connection and empowerment in our own lives? Whether it’s through singing, writing, or simply listening, we all have the ability to foster deeper understanding and empathy through the universal language of music.