The importance of championing women in the music and events industry

However, some festivals show that it can be done. Mighty Hoopla Festival, for example, hasn’t had a male headliner since 2018 and commits to having 50% of its lineup be female and non-binary. 

The theme around this year’s International Women’s Day is #InspireInclusion. It means championing the contributions and perspectives that women from all walks of life bring to the world, creating environments where they feel valued and respected. It also means championing women from marginalised backgrounds, making sure their voices are heard and that they have a platform to be their best selves. 

Take the lineup of your club night. If you’ve got four acts playing on the bill and two are women from different backgrounds, you’re likely to see more women through the door. 

Female performers will have fans who want to see them and other women might be more inclined to attend knowing that someone like them is on the bill that night. 

Similarly, if you come across an up-and-coming, female performer who fits with what your event is trying to do, book and work with them. If they need a place to fine-tune their set and get live experience, use your platform to give them that. 

Use your connections to find a space where they can practice and connect with other like-minded women. Stick with them, and once they’re more experienced, move them up the bill.

It’s basic inclusion. You’ve brought someone into the fold, helped them out and created an environment where they can thrive. Plus, It’ll show other women interested in performing that you’re willing to help someone from the ground up. 

The same goes for behind the scenes, too. By hiring and creating opportunities for women of different backgrounds, the workplace becomes more inclusive. When you’re in the hiring process, make it clear that women from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

If you’ve got several women helping to organise your event, they’ll have the knowledge and experience to ensure your night is the best it can be for the acts on the bill and those in the crowd. 

But you need to let people know that you are being inclusive. 

So, you could run content with female employees in your organisation and the performers you’ve booked in the past. Talk to them about their experiences, how they feel about inclusivity and have them share insights for the next generation. 

A step further would be holding webinars and talks with them. Aim the events at other women trying to get into the industry, share the knowledge and create a blueprint to follow for the future. Aspiring professionals of all disciplines can attend, meet new people and study what those before them did, seeing a clear pathway to realising their ambitions.

After all, it’s hard to focus on a goal if you can’t see anyone who has come before you. People need tangible examples of others like them doing something similar and doing it well. 

All of this contributes to a more inclusive environment, one where women feel they can perform, organise, enjoy and express themselves in our industry.