FEATURE:
Dead EIRE
IN THIS PHOTO: Dublin-born Sinead O'Brien released her amazing debut album, Time Bend and Break the Bower, in 2021/PHOTO CREDIT: Holly Whitaker
Why I Fear Shocking Diversity Figures Relating to Irish Radio Will Be Repeated in the U.K.
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I must start out…
IN THIS PHOTO: Denise Chaila is an Irish and Zambian rapper, singer, poet, Grime and Hip-Hop artist based in Limerick, who released the Go Bravely L.P. in 2020/PHOTO CREDIT: Róisín Murphy O’Sullivan
by giving my thanks to Linda Coogan Byrne (she is a DEI Expert/Data Analyst/Equality Campaigner for Why Not Her?) and Why Not Her? for alerting me (and so many others) to the inequalities on Irish radio. It seems, even at a time when they are ruling and producing such amazing music, Irish women and artists of colour are still struggling to make it onto playlists of Irish stations. I shall come to that report in a minute. It is shocking but sadly not surprising. I am going to end by voicing my fears that the findings will be repeated in the U.K. If you think about the wealth of music in Ireland from some amazing women and artists of colour, why is there this gulf and gap?! I am going to focus on women for my thoughts, as I think we have less of an issue with racial diversity on the airwaves. Even if big stations like BBC Radio 2 and Capital do not feature a tonne of racially diverse music, there are other stations who are doing a hell of a lot better. I shall talk about that in a future feature. If BBC Radio 6 Music is trying its utmost (thought not quite there) ensuring that there is a fair gender balance on its playlists, they are in a minority. Sourcing from the Irish Times a damning and comprehensive new report highlights some figures that should shame and disgrace radio stations across Ireland. It is said that only one in every four songs on Irish radio is by an Irish artist. Just six percent of the top 100 were by Irish female artists:
“Irish women musicians and artists of colour are still having a much harder time getting airplay on Irish radio, research from Why Not Her? shows.
Every June, for four years now, Why Not Her? – a volunteer collective of speakers and media, communication and diversity and inclusion experts – reports on the top 100 most played songs on Irish radio and also the top 20 playlisted songs by domestic Irish artists. This year’s data reveals international acts and white, male artists continue to dominate the airwaves. Only the national broadcaster’s RTÉ Radio 1 has bucked the trend by consistently highlighting artists of both genders almost equally on its playlists over the last four years.
A lack of airplay has a direct impact on artists’ livelihoods – the music radio stations play largely determines which artists get signed to record labels or are asked to perform at festivals and concerts. Musicians who are not playlisted are far less likely to be able to make a living.
The latest Why Not Her? reports on the top 100 and top 20 playlisted songs which show musicians born or based in Ireland who are women or people of colour still get less airtime. Only 6 per cent of the top 100 songs on Irish radio were by Irish female artists (including collaborations with male artists), down from 13 per cent in 2022.
Between Jan and June 2023, international artists got 78 per cent of the airtime on all Irish radio and domestic artists got 22 per cent (including international and domestic collaborations at 3 per cent).
Most of the artists played in the top 100 in 2023 were white (71 per cent). People of colour accounted for 19 per cent and collaborations 10 per cent. Phil Lynott is the only solo or lead vocalist male artist of colour featured in this year’s report (excluding RTÉ Digital station Pulse), despite Ireland’s music scene having an abundance of black male artists.
When you drill down to the top 20, things are even worse – a number of local radio stations had playlists that were between 95 per cent and 100 per cent dominated by white men. Last year, RTÉ 2FM’s top 20 included 80 per cent male artists and this hasn’t changed. Other parts of RTÉ do better, however, notably RTÉ Radio 1, whose top 20 playlist was 60 per cent female. In its public service statement 2022, RTÉ states: “The public are clear they want an independent RTÉ that facilitates a progressive and inclusive society.” Clearly, there is work to be done on the playlists but at least RTÉ has a strategy and a publicly stated plan.
IN THIS PHOTO: RTÉ's Choice Music Prize for Album of the Year winner (for her debut album, If My Wife New I'd be Dead) CMAT has expserienced a lack of signifiant airtime on Irish radio/PHOTO CREDIT: Kieran Frost/Redferns
As the data shows, white Irish men have less problem getting air play. Unfortunately, their female counterparts are not always given the same opportunities.
Internationally successful artists or those also signed to labels that you don’t hear on Irish radio’s heavy rotation playlists include CMAT, Pillow Queens, Ruthanne (who has been two-time Grammy nominated for her work with John Legend and Diana Ross) and others. They’ve succeeded despite the lack of support from some Irish radio stations”.
Minister Catherine Martin and the new regulatory authority, Coimisiún na Meán, must determine if radio stations’ playlist choices are in the public interest. The Government needs to ensure that the voices and talents of this generation of women and artists of colour are heard, as four years of data has not changed their behaviour, beyond tokenistic competitions and statements. We would, however, suggest the Government simply insists that the terms of the Broadcasting Act be upheld. They include Section 66, which says, “The extent to which the applicant will create ... new opportunities for talent” and “catering for a wide range of tastes including those of minority interests”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Dubliner Imelda May received fewer than one hundred plays on radio the week her album (2021’s 11 Past the Hour) went to number one/PHOTO CREDIT: Bill Waters
It is not enough for Irish stations to say they are doing all they can and there is not enough choice when it comes to women and artists of colour. Both assumptions are false and insulting! Look to the U.K. and, when it comes to women, I think most major stations have very uneven bills. I listen to BBC Radio 1 and 2. Neither do a particularly good job at making sure that enough female artists appear on their playlists. I think the situation has been better this year than last, but there is not an even split at all. I think there are even more incredible female artists than male that could feature on the playlist. Whereas Irish stations are not featuring homegrown female talent enough, I think the same can be said here in the U.K. Think about the international options, and it is staggering that stations here have any excuses. What is the delay when it comes to ensuring women across most genres are represented?! If we think of festivals, their excuse (for not including as many women as men) is that there is a pipeline issue. That not enough women are being signed and getting the same care and marketing as men – so they are not festival-ready and are maybe too busy touring to be able to do festivals. From rising artists to established acts, there is no shortage of choice when it comes to women. Again, if you think of demographics and genres, women are not lagging behind men! Any station in the U.K. could easily balance their playlists. It is not a case of there being no choice or the listeners tuning over. It is simply those higher up not doing enough or being bothered to change!
There is also ageism against women in music, which means that those of a certain age are relegated and restricted to one or two stations. It is baffling why, year after year, there is such slow progress. Or none at all! No radio station is bound when it comes to gender representation. They can play more female artists than make if they wish. They are not honed and restricted in terms of genre as much as you’d imagine either. Audiences have not expressly stated they prefer male artists. There is this perception that, by playing too many female artists, that might put people off. Something about their vocals and sound that would cause listeners to react negatively. There is sexism when it comes to how a woman’s voice is often described. Certain female broadcasters are attacked or demeaned because of their gender. Not seen as commending as men. Many might comment that they are too chatty or shrill. There is something in that which seems to apply to music. At least when it comes to station bosses. That feeling that women are inferior somehow or their voices are not as powerful or diverse as men’s. Whatever stupid and sexist excuses they have up their sleeves, I have got a horrid feeling that reports about U.K. radio stations will see yet more gender inequality!
How long can stations go on ignoring women?! It is not good enough to read reports, shrug shoulders and half-heartedly commit to change and improvement. I don’t think that there has been significant recognition and reaction in years. The more and more incredible female artists that come through, the worse it seems to get! Many are relying on social media platforms like TikTok to get an audience and their music heard. Radio will never lose its influence but, when looking out to women in music and getting their music heard, stations need to get their act together! That report about Irish stations from Why Not Her? has highlighted a huge discrimination and sexism. Artists of colour also being overlooked. Let’s hope that the statistics and words from them provokes and prompts reappropriation. There is a part of me that feels station executives will merely disregard it and carry on as normal. It is a crying shame when we consider the crop of female artists and what magnificent music they give to the world! I do have fears for the future. If stations are wilfully and ignorantly excluding women from their playlists, that is likely to discourage so many from getting into the industry. We could lose so much talent because of this! I already know of female artists who are struggling because they cannot get played on stations. Reports like the recent one concerning Irish imbalance should open eyes and shock. It needs to be met with true commitment and clear and precise plan of how things will be fixed. As it stands right now, so many radio stations are…
LETTING down the music industry.