FEATURE:
International Women’s Day 2025
PHOTO CREDIT: KoolShooters/Pexels
Inspiring Change and Togetherness in the Music Industry
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AS 8th March…
IN THIS PHOTO: Sabrina Carpenter/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
is International Women’s Day, I want to put out the third and final feature to mark that. In music terms, there is no denying that the music industry is now being dominated by women. In terms of the best music being made. Not in terms of those in power and those with the most control. Think about the most acclaimed artists and best albums. Women are ruling and getting the most attention. They are also sweeping award ceremonies. The GRAMMYs was defined by female brilliance. So too was the recent BRITs. Charli xcx among the big winners. Even if the awards were slightly skewed towards men, it was women who shone brightest and won biggest. There is still not true equality in terms of this sense of achievement, boundary-breaking brilliance. I think the reverberations from the GRAMMYs and BRITs – and other award ceremonies – should compel some form of change and moves towards parity. When we look around, there are still fewer opportunities for women. Most professional producers are men. In terms of the songwriters appearing on the Billboard Top 100 and radio playlists. Most are men. Last year saw female journalists, artists and those in the industry talk about misogyny and discrimination. The rise in sexual assault. Radio playlists still have this male bias. Journalists writing about the male bias on Spotify. Huge festivals and smaller ones still struggling to book women and make them headliners. It is very much their issue and not because of a lack of options and visibility. Boardrooms and studios male-heavy and getting worse because of lay-offs and cuts. Across music, there is this gap between the quality of music and what women are bringing and the way they are represented and rewarded. In spite of award blitz and chart success together with huge reviews and sell-out tours, I think this International Women’s Day should be a chance for the industry to reflect and commit to change. When I see award ceremonies like the BRITs, GRAMMYs or something like that, there are few occasions when men speak about women in music and their excellence. Solidarity and showing their feminism. Very few interviews where men in music are talking about women. Both in terms of how things need to improve whilst saluting their power.
The enormous creative weight women are creating and the value they generate. Although there is not female solidary across all genres, we are seeing a lot of togetherness and support. Women in the industry connecting and there being this sisterhood. That is not to say men are not doing enough. In terms of collaboration and men in music giving props and shout outs to women, things are better than they used to be. However, it is quite telling that at virtually no televised or big event do you see anything in the way of true support from men. There is no viable and substantial feminist movement or agenda from men. Few using their platform to talk about women in studios, those on stage and the incredible songwriters and artists who are dominating. Look at wider society and when you search for the best feminist writers, books and thinkers, virtually all of them are women. In fact, I think all of them are. In terms of men writing about a feminist movement or tackling gender equality, virtually none. Maybe zero in history who have written about feminism and the need for men to be involved. This hugely one-sided thing. Of course, there are male journalists who write about women and spotlight female artists. However, when it comes to writing about issues around equality, gender, discrimination and abuse for instance, again almost everything is written by women. The importance of discussing these things and the pleasure of raising women and showing support should be expected and mandatory. As I have written before, there is no positive male movement. No movement too that integrates men into the feminist movement. Into the next or new wave. No male voices or pens contributing. Music is the most brilliant, universal thing that brings us together. A common language. I am not saying women are in dire need and they are accusing men of lacking empathy or support. I just look around and see women killing it and there being very little from men in terms of seeing this and showing their solidarity and also calling the industry out for its failings.
PHOTO CREDIT: Pixabay/Pexels
Sexism is still rife throughout music. It is not a thing that ended in the 1990s or has necessarily died away. As recently as last year reports were published regarding male bias and ongoing discrimination. I do love it when men in music – whether artists, journalists or someone else – champion women or talk about the wave of female dominance. It does not happen often but it is clear that there is at least this recognition. However, it seems foundational. When it comes to those fighting for equality. Highlighting systemic and endemic issues and also coming out as feminists – or if that word seems unappealing or outdated to some, then a modern substitute -, then there is this problem. Now more than ever there seems to be this need for unity and more from men in music. It is frankly depressing that you can go to any search engine and look for men writing about feminism or tackling subjects around gender and equality. Prominent voices are women’s. In terms of column inches and soundbites, far too few men contributing and doing what is required. One might say that music is an equal playing field and there is no need for it. Women would find it somehow insulting and ingenuine if men were more proactive. I look at all the female excellence, this solidarity and impact – from innovative artists, those slaying on the red carpet; the awesome collaborations, world-class albums and year-defining singles, plus those in every corner of the industry whose voices are so vital – and something is missing. I do think that there needs to be change. Coming off the back of the BRITs – where Jade, The Last Dinner Party, Charli xcx and Billie Eilish were among the winners -, there were some male journalists shouting out the winners (I think CLASH’s feed commentary was from Robin Murray). It got me thinking about music’s queens. How important they are and how we need to see greater moves towards equality and solidarity. An important subject to raise…
ON International Women’s Day.