FEATURE:
See Her Voice
PHOTO CREDIT: Malik Skydsgaard/Unsplash
An Award Show or Documentary Celebrating the Great Women of Music
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I am looking ahead…
PHOTO CREDIT: Laura Chouette/Unsplash
to International Women’s Day on 8th March. It is an important day next month, as women across industries and walks of life are recognised. Although it is a day to recognise women, the theme of this year’s IWD will “explore the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities. The event will also spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence”. That is such an important mission and crusade. Even though, in music, there are small steps regarding equality and recognition, I still think that are bit gaps, gulfs and divides. In terms of award shows and how they represent women, there seems to be one step forward and two steps back. The same is true of festivals. Some festivals are committing to a gender-equal line-up, but most aren’t - or they are hiding behind flimsy excuses! There are more women in management and top positions in the industry but, again, there is not enough down from the ground level to ensure that things change a lot more quickly and visibly. It is important to highlight the incredible women in music who are making changes. Maybe I am not the best at articulating this, but there is a clear sexism and inequality through music. Even radio playlists are too imbalanced and skewed towards male artists. Even though the statistics are a little better, so few women are signed to big labels. I know a lot of female artists are independent but, as we have seen with an artist such as RAYE, labels struggle to market women or even treat them with any respect.
Look at the amazing, inventive and impressive music that women have been making for years, and you wonder why there are blocks and hurdles. It is not the case that change will take years and festivals can’t book women as they are not popular enough or recording enough. I think, when the BRIT awards made headlines for an all-male and non-inclusive Artist of the Year shortlist this year, it confirmed that there is a major problem. Although it is not all the fault of men in boardrooms, it is evident that questions need to be asked. Sexism and a lack of recognition extend to industries like filmmaking too (the Oscar shortlist this year included no women in the Best Director category). For every festival like Glastonbury that has an equal bill, or an award ceremony like the Mercury Prize that recognises great female artists (though it is still bent hugely towards London), there are calamities like the BRITs or festivals like Reading and Leeds. For both cis and trans women, there is underrepresentation. As we are now in 2023, one would think that we’d no longer to have these conversations so regularly. I know there are festivals entirely comprised of female artists, and there are amazing labels run by women. Rather than it being non-inclusive and muddying the waters, I wonder when we will get award ceremonies exclusively for women.
So many great albums, live performances, songs and wonderful moments of music to choose from. An award ceremony that is just for cis and trans women. Recognises their immense contribution to music. The same goes for festivals. There are smaller festivals that are just for women but, in terms of the artists who appear (rather than those who are allowed to attend), a major festival featuring women only would be welcomed. There are still so few female headliners booked, so it would be a much more positive experience. Many might say it is sexist against men or makes things more complex. Until there is improvement across the board, then having a festival where hundreds of women/female acts can perform together would be amazing. The figures and research speaks for itself. As much as anything, it is a very visible way of proving the kind of talent there is through all genres. In terms of an award show, one that has categories like Best Producer, Best Electronic D.J., Best Album, Best New Artist, Icon Award etc. would be just for women. It is not a deliberate exclusion on men. It is a way of ensuring that there is parity and long-overdue recognition. Again, if there is a push towards something like this, it forces award ceremonies to make changes and bring about representation. As much as anything, I would welcome a documentary or series that salutes the amazing women in music, both established and new.
There have been a few through the year but, from innovators in Pop and Hip-Hop to great new producers, inspiring teenage artists, legends, and innovators in business and at venues, I am not sure whether the music industry properly recognises how crucial women are. In terms of the artists themselves, there are so many wonderful rising artists that everyone should know about. I think, in time, there will be parity and very notable progress in terms of how women are represented and acknowledged in music. We should be there already – and it could take years more to do what needs to be done. There is still major inequality, and it is not because there are a lack of talented women. As I said, there does need to be a look at the very start and bottom. Education. How women are marketed. How labels are run. An overhaul that makes it easy to bring about equality right through the industry. As we head towards International Women’s Day, we will celebrate women in music. Questions will be asked once more about equality and sexism. So many brilliant artists, producers and songwriters get overlooked each year. Whether it is a festival with all women on the bill, an award ceremony that included only female acts, or a series of documentaries that salute the innovators, queens, and the stunning new artists coming through, I think this is owed. It will surely open eyes I think. I hope this year is one where there are bigger steps towards gender parity. Without the amazing women through the industry, music wouldn’t be half as powerful and important…
AS it is.