Women in music. It’s a discussion I think people are bored of having now. Oh, what’s that? Another Reading and Leeds line up announced, and women are angry again about the lack of gender diversity? However, this is a discussion I will keep igniting until change happens.
Gender inequality in music is something that needs to be confronted from the bottom up. This week, post-punk quintet, IDLES announced they will be taking female only support acts on their record-breaking string of shows next year. Following recent criticism of them not using their platform to inform their demographic (which is basically angry, white dudes) of the gender imbalance in punk and to encourage more women into music, the Bristolian punks have taken it in their stride to promote change. But by some, it has been suggested that IDLES bringing women on tour is a publicity stunt.
If it is a publicity stunt, I don’t know; I don’t really care.
What is important is they are sharing their stage with deserving women. So what if it took a nudge to get there? At least IDLES have arrived. Now it’s time for the rest of you.
However, people may not realise that by having a cock-infested festival line up (*ahem* I’m looking at you Reading and Leeds), younger girls are lacking women to look up to and take inspiration from. I have never looked up at yet another bloke swinging his guitar round on stage and thought hmmm, I could do that. BUT, stick Courtney Love or Karen O up there, and bam! I feel inspired. If anything, seeing the same dudes headlining every year could be a massive turn off for women wanting to get into music. Why bother trying when the industry won’t give us a chance? According to the Guardian (2017), over two thirds of the performing industry is men. I want to see girls getting the opportunity to smash it like I know we can.
Singer, Melanie Masson has the right idea. Alongside releasing her new single ‘Why Don’t You Love Me?’, she is creating ‘All About Eve’, a record label run by women for women. Speaking of the gender imbalance at festivals she states, “Why do they think they’ll sell more tickets if it’s an all-boys line up? Encourage diversity. It’s not an all-male world. I love festivals but I want to see a variety of music. I want to see a diverse line-up of talented performers of all genders. Otherwise, that makes for a very boring festival!”
Based in London, the pop artist is looking for AR, pluggers, producers, artists and anyone wanting to get involved with this game-changing label- the only specification is that you are female. By encouraging women to work together in music, it is helping create a force that has the potential to create huge waves throughout the industry. “I believe that women should have that opportunity. Why not? Women work extremely well together,” Masson states. “Our voices should be heard and respected. Having women led labels and studios shouldn’t be seen as a novelty. We should be taken seriously and not dismissed just for our gender”.
With inevitable criticism to follow stating that this record label is ‘sexist towards men’ (yawn), Masson wants to state that this is not a start of war against men. “This is not about being anti-men. It’s a celebration of women of all ages”.
Making a label to support women is not sexist. Women have experienced more barriers in their way throughout not only music, but most professions. Pay inequality; lack of equal opportunity; less chance to progress- I could go on. Women deserve a helping hand. Not that we need one due to our ability, but we need one as a head-start; something men have experienced their whole careers. Women are great and the sooner the music industry starts to recognise that and promote that, only then will I stop raging every time Reading and Leeds bring out yet another line-up swarming with cock. Sort it out.
Words by Jasmine Hodge
@Obviouslyitsjaz
Image: Rolling Stone
skype – quitegr8
Leave a Comment