The female artists to support this spring
How public can help gender balance in live music
WHEN the findings of the Misogyny in Music inquiry – set up by the House of Commons women and equalities committee in June 2022 – were published earlier this year, it confirmed for many of us working in music what we’ve always known to be true.
The report found that the industry perpetuates a culture in which discrimination, sexual harassment and unethical practices are rife – and intervention is urgently needed to tackle the systematic disadvantages faced by women in the sector.
On International Women’s Day, it’s important to emphasise the work that is still needed in the fight for gender equality – as the report so thoroughly does – but it’s also an opportune moment to shine a light on the artists that are presently contributing to the vibrancy and diversity of the music industry.
In my role as music programme manager at Edinburgh’s Summerhall, I’m extremely blessed to work with some incredible women, both locally and further afield. But I recognise that this side of the industry – booking artists, promoting gigs and managing venues – tends to be male-dominated. Could more women in these positions potentially help foster greater levels of gender balance within the live music sphere? It’s certainly one element of the puzzle – but another is that we as music fans need to make a conscious effort to support women on lineups and bills by seeking out shows, buying tickets and being present.
In the spirit of IWD – and to give a shout-out to some of the best and brightest talent we currently have in Scotland – I wanted to draw attention to a handful of gigs coming up over the next few months.
All of these shows are well worth attending, but even more so if you’re interested in seeing the country’s finest emerging artists. First up, at Summerhall, we have some phenomenal names scheduled to be in the building, starting with BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2023, Terra Kin, who supports the Rebecca Vasmant Live Ensemble tomorrow.
Folk-roots singer-songwriter Roseanne Reid plays the Dissection Room on April 4, while Highlands musician Niamhy Mac takes over the venue’s Old Lab on April 27.
The following evening, it will be experimental smallpipes player Brighde Chaimbeul’s turn to take on the Old Lab, and on April
29, Edinburgh-based FrenchCameroonian singer Djana Gabrielle supports American artist Lonnie Holley.
ELSEWHERE, March is a stacked month for gigs featuring women in the Scottish music scene. Tonight, there’s a special International Women’s Day fundraiser at Glasgow’s Hug & Pint in aid of Back Off Scotland and the Abortion Support Network, with R&B/soul singer-songwriter Becky Sikasa, and support from Glasgow’s Grayling.
Also tonight, DJ and producer
KAVARI takes on Exit Glasgow as part of Eastern Margins’ debut night in Scotland and tomorrow, protestpop singer and Popgirlz co-founder Josephine Sillars supports Be Like Pablo at the Old Hairdressers.
Later in the month on March 15, multi-instrumentalist SHEARS, who makes utterly captivating pop, plays a stripped-back set supporting Keir Gibson at Glasgow’s Poetry Club.
On the same day, alt-pop singer Cortnë supports Charlotte Carpenter at Sneaky Pete’s, and musician Alice Faye takes on Stirling’s Tolbooth as part of the venue’s New Noise nights, then heading to Glasgow’s Cottiers on March 29.
Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter