FEATURE:
Birdie
IN THIS PHOTO: Phoebe Bridgers (who is part of boygenius with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker) in an outtake from a photoshoot with The Guardian in 2022/PHOTO CREDIT: Davis Bates
Why 2023 Is Another Year In Which Women are Dominating and Deserve Equality and Respect
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I have written a similar feature…
IN THIS PHOTO: Caroline Polachek performing in Tilburg, Netherlands in June 2023
a few times now but, as each passing week seemingly reveals another remarkable album or single by a female artist/band, it seems ever-strange and insulting that this brilliance is not being rewarded by equality and opportunities. I might return to this feature again later in the year but, as we are half-way through 2023 and the festival season is starting, it is very much worth highlighting an issue and asking a question – off of the back of such remarkable work from female artists. Aside from male, non-binary and gender-fluid artists including Paul Simon, and Christine and the Queens, the strongest and most compelling albums have come from women. I am exploring this area again a a half-way point report. There are going to be some figures posted soon regarding the gender breakdown of radio playlists. I am not sure what it is like in the U.S. but, here, most major radio stations struggle to balance the playlists when it comes to gender. Women are substantially underrepresented and included – in spite of the multitude of choice. You cannot say there is a lack of female artists who would be able to added to playlists. Maybe I have mentioned this a lot but, when you think of the best albums from the year so far, most of them are from women. I have already mentioned how much I love boygenius’ (Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Bakers) debut, the record. Throw into the mix That! Feels Good! From Jessie Ware, together with Caroline Polachek’s Desire, I Want to Turn into You, and you have three of the biggest albums of the year. Aside from Christine and the Queens’ PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE – which might be the best-reviewed album of the year -, most of the very best are from female artists (or those identifying as such). Kara Jackson, Hayley Williams-led Paramore, and Lana Del Rey are other artists who have given 2023 some truly tremendous albums.
I think most of the truly captivating and original rising artists emerging are women. Whether it is Samara Joy, Iraina Mancini, Bully, or Maisie Peters, I do think that so many legends of the future are coming through at the moment – and, with a few exceptions, they are women. I am not discounting or discrediting male artists for a second. There are more than a few year-defining albums from them. Plenty of great and ambitious young artists emerging. I just thinking, looking back on the first half of the year, that the same patterns emerge. Women are creating the best music. The female wave of talent is so exciting and fresh. That is not being rewarded with festival headline slots, or even an equal billing across many festivals for that matter (even Glastonbury have not had a fifty-fifty gender split for this year’s festival). You do not really read too many articles where the queens and great women of music are given respect and nods. I am always aware of the fact there are small steps of progress being made every year. Greater awareness of problems through the industry, and pledges from many to tackle them. Regardless of the sheer quality right in front of people’s faces, there are still massive issues when it comes to everything from playlist and festival bills through to producers in a studios and even award ceremonies. It is something I have covered before but, as 2023 has been made so arresting and fascinating by some incredible albums from female artists, how long will that take to translate to recognition and equality?!
Kylie Minogue has released perhaps the biggest and most discussed single of the year with Padam Padam. A top twenty chart success – one that was not playlisted by BBC Radio 1 –, it comes ahead (in September) of the Australian icon releasing her new studio album, TENSION. So much excellence and innovation has come from women. Apologies if I do sound like a broken record. It is frustrating reading the same headlines when it comes to equality! People having to do better. Making excuses or really not given a plausible account of their dereliction of duty. Regardless of any probable pipeline issues regarding festival or radio-ready female artists, there are still enough in our midst, both established and rising, who are more than ready to go. There is imbalance right across the industry! There is an appalling imbalance when it comes to women in music tech. Having more female role models might be a step forward that could be a solution regarding imbalance. There are positive signs of life and improvement. As this recent article reports, a needed and impressive about a key initiative is taking place (“Musician Jessie Maryon Davies is trying to do something about it. She is co-founder and co-director of Hackney-based charity Girls Rock London (GRL), an initiative which provides a high-quality music and industry training programme for women, girls, transgender, and non-binary musicians, and for people with other marginalised gendered experiences”). How much is being done by men to help things? How many male artists are speaking out against gender inequality and the fact that women deserve greater opportunities and respect?! I know a few are but, as they have such a big platform, you would think there’d be more allies that are shining a light on an ongoing and depressing reality!
I will come back to the subject of gender equality in music soon enough. As I say, reports are due regarding playlists and how women are represented across tech, studios and festivals. I don’t think we are going to see much positive news or massive change this year, sadly. What I do know is that the first half of this year has been dominated by brilliant albums from women. The singles market has likewise seen them make their mark. Some of this year’s festivals will have an equal bill and contain female headliners, through they are still in the minority – especially when it comes to talking about the major festivals. Some big radio stations are still sexist and ageist against female artists, and there is not enough activation from male artists and men in the industry. There needs to be a joined and proactive campaign so that questions can be asked. Given the embarrassment of riches women in music are giving us, why are we seeing the other end of the production line clogged?! This great music gets fed in, something happens in the middle, and hardly anything comes out. It may be clumsy, but what I mean is that there are not those opportunities and recognition that is more than warranted. If the industry is going to provide an attractive and prosperous platform for female artists coming through, they need to do a lot more to strike equality. Treat women with more respect and dues! It is a conversation that has been going on for so many years. With some incredible women fighting to change things, there is a relative lack of support from men. Let’s hope that this changes and they…
DO what is required.