FEATURE:
A Burning Question
PHOTO CREDIT: Wallace Chuck/Pexels
How Many Men in the Music Industry Actively Identify as Feminist and Are Proactive About It?
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THIS may sound like me being a broken record…
PHOTO CREDIT: cottonbro studio/Pexels
but this is not only designed to satisfy curiosity. There is a swirl of stuff going on that makes me wonder how many men throughout the industry are engaged with tackling inequality when it comes to gender. Also celebrating women and non-binary artists. From the continuing gulf at festivals where female artists consistently deliver stunning sets and yet there is that disparity regarding numbers on bills, through to incidents where women are discussing sexual assault and harassment, a lot of the conversation is either held by women. So much of the activation and reaction is initiated by women. I may have covered this before, but the question remains: How many men are there in the industry who identify as feminists?! Many might say that they are (which is great), and they promote, share and highlight the work of women. It is clear most men in the music industry support women and would count themselves as allies. What I mean is, how many actively would call themselves a feminist to the point where they join conversations and raise awareness? Even if it is highlighting festival discrepancies or adding their voice to the #MeToo-like movement in music. Those who also want equality through the industry and are vociferous about it. Using their platform to discuss this sort of thing regularly, in addition to championing women. There are male artists/bands who have female artists as support acts. Many more who obviously collaborate with female artists. It seems like, even in 2023, there is this real visible lack of physical and vocal support from men in the industry. Whether it is fellow artists, label bosses, management or journalists, there is a very small selection that you could say are feminists and/or are very much determined to bring about change. Those afraid to highlight inequality and a lot of the horrible thing women in the industry have to face – from harassment through to a lack of visibility at festivals or as producers in professional studios.
I have been compelled by a new edition of Sound on Sound magazine. The cover features ‘change makers’ in the industry. Amazing producers, engineers, artists and songwriters. We get to read interviews, discover their stories and see them photographed together. Not highlighted, in bold or mentioned really, but they are all women/non-binary. Rather than call attention to the fact that it is not men being declared and proclaimed as these game-changers in music, it is naturalising and spotlighting amazing women and non-binary people who are at the forefront. It is inspiring that this has been done. It also shows that women should be celebrated more. Not too many male journalists or artists are doing this. Even if these gamechangers are in our midst, statistics around the gender discrepancy in studios, on mainstream radio playlists, throughout festivals and beyond is making very slow movement. If you think about the most prominent and influential feminist musicians of the past sixty years, they are all women. That might not be a surprise though, when thinking about those who champion female contemporaries and are strongly advocating for change and highlighting issues, very few spring to mind. I will end with journalism and why there needs to be documentaries and more done to highlight women in music. There is an article from last year where one man in music is mentioned alongside pioneering and remarkable women: Harry Styles:
“Harry Styles strives for a world where feminism is the norm
Harry Styles is a feminist who chalks it up to simply being the right thing to do (and doesn’t want a lot of credit for it). Styles also grew up heavily influenced by his mom and his sister. Since the female influence in his life was so profound, Styles felt it was only natural to be a feminist; he considers the ideals of feminism to be pretty straightforward.
"Most of the stuff that hurts me about what's going on at the moment is not politics, it's fundamentals. Equal rights. For everyone, all races, sexes, everything," Styles told Rolling Stone. He tries to make things better in big and small ways — from the music he chooses to perform, to the words he uses on social media and in interviews. He has used social media to support things like the #HeForShe campaign, an initiative from UN Women to empower women”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Harry Styles/PHOTO CREDIT: Helene Pambrun
HelloGiggles wrote an article where they spotlighted seven times when Harry Styles was their ‘feminist prince’. Someone who considers it natural to him – and he does not want great credit for it either:
“I grew up with my mum and my sister — when you grow up around women, your female influence is just bigger. Of course men and women should be equal. I don’t want a lot of credit for being a feminist. It’s pretty simple. I think the ideals of feminism are pretty straightforward.
Styles has defended his fans a lot, but one time that sticks out to them the most was in his first cover story for Rolling Stone in 2017. When discussing the pressure to please a crowd, Styles was quick to share how much he values his younger fans because they’re honest and devoted”.
With the music industry still male-dominated in 2023, there is a lot that still needs to be done. It is clear that more men in the industry need to get together to discuss ways in which things can progress and improve. Whether it is ensuring women feel safer in the music industry or highlighting gender imbalance at festivals, more needs to be done. When it comes to songs written about issues like sexual assault and harassment, it is women writing and performing those songs. As a music journalist, there are men who would say they are feminists/feminist writers. They highlight incredible women in music - though I wonder whether that goes deeper. Maybe like Harry Styles, I wonder if there are any men who write regularly about issues affecting women. The inequalities throughout the industry. Passionately supporting women and calling for change. There are very few names (if any…) that come to mind. It is not about me highlighting my own activity and fervency.
PHOTO CREDIT: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels
I feel that there is a genuine need for more men in the industry to do more when it comes to feminism and backing women’s rights. I mean actively. I am not writing men in the industry off, as the vast majority are fully on board when it comes to changing things. There have not been many documentaries made about iconic women, incredible female creatives, artists and producers. In the same way male artists like Harry Styles says he doesn’t want credit for being a feminist, I think the motive for doing more should not be credit or special treatment. Many might think that coming out and discussing ways the industry has to adapt and speaking up for women’s rights would bring undue or a lot of attention (negative or positive) their way. I don’t think it would. It is a more healthy and unified industry if men are combined in conversation. If we see more men around journalism, music and the entire industry regularly joining women in speaking up and out. Whether you label it as feminism, activism or merely doing more, this is a time really to show that willing. Even if most men in the industry have good intentions and respect for women, there seems to be few using their platforms – whether it is a gig, interview or other opportunity – to show their feminism and solidarity. It is great when bands put women in support slots and sends that message that festivals especially need to do more to include women. Journalists and fellow artists highlighting and championing incredible women. It is a moment when so many problems exist – and yet it is almost exclusively women speaking about it. If there was more vocal and proactive men across the industry, then it would definitely help…
TO move things forward and affect change quicker.