SISTERS A DOING IT F THEMSELV

WHILE compiling my annual tipsheet of Northern Irish music for the year ahead, I noticed something curious. The list showcased an almost a 50/50 split between male and female singers. A few weeks ago, it was noted that 60 per cent of the nominees for the ‘Best New Band’ at the 2018 NI Music

Prize – were fronted by girls. Playlists for our radio show these days regularly end up gender balanced (or almost) – as do local festivals. It shouldn’t be a big deal. After all, there’s around 30,000 more women than men in Northern Ireland (yup – I just looked it up) – and why shouldn’t the creative scene reflect that?

That said, a couple of years ago, female fronted acts were in the minority. Ten years ago they were practically a novelty.

I’ve no idea what’s changed, and I’m not really qualified to pitch a theory. Instead I asked a few of the many, many acts set for great things in 2019 who are – as it happens – women.

Shannon O’neill, from Derry, fronts Sister Ghost – who’ve released a mess of gnarly, anthemic punk rock bangers in the last few years. She also spearheads the Girls Rock School NI project, encouraging women of all ages to pick up a guitar (or bass, or drums) – and make a racket.

“I think it’s a combination of things. I believe that the Girls Rock! movement, the growing level of support and allegiance with the LGBTQ+ community in more countries – and just a general third wave of feminism the western world has been experiencing over the last decade – it’s all helped to encourage and nurture female (including trans) & non-binary musicians and artists.”

If there’s one new Northern Irish act set to breakthrough in 2019, my money’s on Roe – aka 18 year old Roisin Donald, from Derry. The next time I see Roisin, she’ll be onstage at Wembley Arena. Seriously. She’s also doing The 02 – and other huge shows – supporting Snow Patrol, with the band taken by her seemingly endless arsenal of hook laden, quirky electro-pop

“When I started out in music I had badass female musicians like Emma Gallagher from Making Monsters (now Sugarwolf) and SOAK (both from Derry) around me – which helped inspire my own musical career. My incredible mum was also big inspiration when it came to finding my strength to get into music instead of staying on for A-level.”

Roisin was also keen to list influential figures within the industry.

“People like Charlotte Dryden (Oh Yeah Centre), Charlene Hegarty, and Sophie Arscott (Start Together Studios). The #Metoo and Repeal the 8th movements have had a big impact on female empowerment in the last couple years and I think it’s encouraged more women to speak out. I think that NI is seeing this and although there’s still a way to go, the fact that more bands are being fronted by females and non-binary is a sign of the changing times.”

The Oh Yeah Centre is worth examining as a case study, acting as a new music HQ of sorts in Belfast, hosting studios, practice spaces, network projects, gigs and various initiatives, including the Women’s Work Festival, every year. Already referenced by Roe is Oh Yeah boss Charlotte Dryden, who’s been a hugely influential and encouraging figure behind the scenes for a number of years.

“Role models like (Derry’s) Soak or (Bangor’s) Hannah Peel…. programmes aimed at supporting girls/ females…. organisations building diversity and gender program thinking movem trickled

Charlo “Wome similar i program subcon conscio promot females

Chery women were in Hole (fr Love) to unique explosiv it Back’ been a collectiv questio domina need to

“I thin been a out to p

d