Polly Shute’s Post

The language in writing about women musicians must not describe them as outliers but reflect them as an integral part of the industry. For instance, when writing about a particular achievement of a music star, their gender need not be the focus. They should not be described as one of the best ‘female’ music stars, but rather as one of the ‘best music stars.’ Read more on the underrepresentation of women within the music industry at https://lnkd.in/ggXTNkuV #WomenInMusic #MusicWithoutBias #FemaleEmpowerment

Gender inequality in the music industry is particularly prevalent among women and gender minorities in genres like rock, rap, and wild electronic music. Women make up a small percentage of artists, producers, and musicians. A 2020 study found that between 2012 and 2019, only 21.6% of artists on the Billboard Hot 100 were women. This gap extends to concert lineups and music festivals, where male acts dominate. Addressing this gap is critical to creating a more diverse and inclusive music industry.

This is just outrageous. Participating in this report was so empowering, and the final recommendations of the WEC made me hope for a safer, fair environment for our female colleagues in the UK. Wishing the WEC is able to make the Government rethink its stance. We deserve nothing less than that. ***** UK Government ‘falling short’ over action to help protect women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination, Women and Equalities Committee warns The UK Government has rejected recommendations to help protect women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination despite unequivocal backing from the creative industries watchdog CIISA and a myriad of female voices speaking out across the sector. In its response to WEC’s landmark January report on ‘Misogyny in Music’, the Government said it is “clear that everyone should be able to work in the music industry without being subject to misogyny”. However, it stopped short of accepting the WEC’s recommendations to transform industry protections, despite WEC’s warning women in music face “endemic” discrimination. It also recommended the Government should legislate to protect workers from sexual harassment by third parties, a proposal the Government initially supported and then rejected last year. On non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), the report cited distressing testimonies of victims “threatened into silence”, with WEC urging to prohibit NDAs in cases involving sexual abuse, harassment, misconduct and bullying. The Government plans to bring in such measures in higher education but did not support the recommendation to do so for music despite the compelling evidence presented. Chair of the WEC, Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP said: “The Committee’s report laid bare a “boys’ club” where sexual harassment and abuse is common and where ‘endemic’ misogyny has persisted for far too long.   “Following its shocking findings, women across the music industry have spoken out in the clearest possible terms about the need for transformative change. Improving protections and reporting mechanisms through necessary legislative and structural reforms are essential steps to achieving that.   “Ministers are letting women down with their feet dragging over NDAs. We have had platitudes and reassurance, but still no action despite evidence that the use of NDAs is rife, in far too many sectors, and they are being used to protect perpetrators and silence victims. “WEC is calling on the Government to re-think its stance, equip CIISA with the powers required to drive the changes needed or risk falling short over the action needed to protect women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination.” WEC will be holding a follow-up evidence session relating to its report on April 24th. https://lnkd.in/djCCGUCj

Sad news to all our music industry colleagues in the UK... 😢 "The UK Government has rejected recommendations to help protect women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination despite unequivocal backing from the creative industries watchdog CIISA and a myriad of female voices speaking out across the sector. In its response to WEC’s landmark January report on ‘Misogyny in Music’, the Government said it is “clear that everyone should be able to work in the music industry without being subject to misogyny”. However, it stopped short of accepting the WEC’s recommendations to transform industry protections, despite WEC’s warning women in music face “endemic” discrimination. It also recommended the Government should legislate to protect workers from sexual harassment by third parties, a proposal the Government initially supported and then rejected last year. On non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), the report cited distressing testimonies of victims “threatened into silence”, with WEC urging to prohibit NDAs in cases involving sexual abuse, harassment, misconduct and bullying. The Government plans to bring in such measures in higher education but did not support the recommendation to do so for music despite the compelling evidence presented. Chair of the WEC, Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP said: “The Committee’s report laid bare a “boys’ club” where sexual harassment and abuse is common and where ‘endemic’ misogyny has persisted for far too long.   “Following its shocking findings, women across the music industry have spoken out in the clearest possible terms about the need for transformative change. Improving protections and reporting mechanisms through necessary legislative and structural reforms are essential steps to achieving that.   “Ministers are letting women down with their feet dragging over NDAs. We have had platitudes and reassurance, but still no action despite evidence that the use of NDAs is rife, in far too many sectors, and they are being used to protect perpetrators and silence victims. “WEC is calling on the Government to re-think its stance, equip CIISA with the powers required to drive the changes needed or risk falling short over the action needed to protect women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination.” https://lnkd.in/dG2m4mFA #misogyny #musicbusiness #nda #harassment #discrimation #equality

A groundbreaking study by Concerts SA, in collaboration with SAMRO, IKS Cultural Consulting, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, has unveiled the harsh realities faced by women in live music. Conducted in late 2023, this research surveyed 357 industry professionals, revealing profound gender inequalities 🎶🚨 . Key findings: - 56% of women earn less than R5,000 per month. - 63% face inappropriate remarks and mansplaining regularly. This vital research underscores the urgent need for systemic change to ensure fair pay, safe working conditions, and genuine representation for women in the industry. Despite the financial and psychological costs, an impressive 90% of women in the study feel confident in their place within the live music sector. It's time to address these disparities and support the incredible women who drive our industry forward. Read more about the study and join the conversation on how we can foster a more equitable and inclusive environment for all. #WomenInMusic #LiveMusic #GenderEquality #IndustryChange #SupportWomen https://lnkd.in/dCRJ7vp8

'On average, female musicians earn less than their male colleagues. The average annual income from music for men is £21,750, and for women it is £19,850........Female musicians who are Black, Asian, or from other minority ethnic groups were 10% more likely to earn in the lowest income band than white women, with 35% of ethnic minority women earning £7,000 or less, compared with 25% of white women.' https://lnkd.in/et_rUfC9

Over a month ago, DONNE | Women in Music released a report highlighting a significant gender disparity in classical music. The findings revealed that 92.5% of the repertoire played by over 100 orchestras worldwide was composed by men. Donne Report 2024: https://lnkd.in/eyrinkn6 Our additional analysis shows that 89.9% of chief conductors are men, with only 10.1% being women. This stark contrast underscores the need for greater diversity and inclusion in orchestral leadership and programming. The women who have managed to break through this glass ceiling include Marin Alsop, Simone Young, #ElimChan, Kristiina Poska, #DaliaStasevska, #EvaOllikainen Intermusica, Han-Na Chang, #AnnaMariaHelsing, #JoannaMacGregor, #NathalieStutzmann and Mei-Ann Chen Read more about these findings: https://lnkd.in/eKFwV_kP

In January, the UK parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) published the report for its Misogyny in Music inquiry, with strong criticism of the music industry’s culture and practices. It offered a number of recommendations to music companies, but also to the British government. Now the WEC has criticised the latter for its response. “It stopped short of accepting the cross-party Committee’s wide-ranging recommendations to transform industry protections,” said the committee in a press release. Those recommendations included giving freelance workers more protection; imposing a duty on employers to protect workers from sexual harassment; and barring the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases involving sexual abuse, harassment and misconduct, as well as bullying, harassment and discrimination. “Ministers are letting women down with their feet dragging over NDAs. We have had platitudes and reassurance, but still no action despite evidence that the use of NDAs is rife, in far too many sectors, and they are being used to protect perpetrators and silence victims,” said committee chair Caroline Nokes MP. Read The Full Story Here: https://lnkd.in/dv9Tsd8t #UKPolitics #MusicIndustry #Equality #musically #musicnews #readmore

🎵 "Breaking Down Barriers: Women in the Music Industry" 🎵 🔥 When #MeToo shook Hollywood, the music industry couldn’t escape the spotlight. Now, it’s time for our own reckoning. 💥 🚫 Gatekeepers—those industry insiders—hold the keys. They decide who gets airplay, who shines, and who stays silent. But here’s the twist: they’re also responsible for diversity. Let’s break the mold! 🌟 🎤 Empowering artists means diversifying gatekeeper roles. It’s time to amplify women’s voices, challenge norms, and create equal opportunities. 🙌 💰 Equal pay? Still a battle. But let’s bridge gaps—race, LGBTQ+, and beyond—through community and empowerment. 💡 👉 Read more 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eqqerr7a 🎶 #BreakingBarriers #MusicIndustry #WomenInMusic

The 25 Best Pride Songs of 2024 (So Far): Staff Picks https://ift.tt/SMigbl4 At a time of year where calls for increased representation reach a fever pitch, the LGBTQ+ community is especially in need of greater depiction in the music business. As a recent survey conducted by Queer Capita, The Orchard and Billboard found, nearly half of surveyed LGBTQ+ workers said they found the music industry’s current levels of representation to be lacking, while a mere 8% felt their respective companies provided adequate resources for their queer-identifying employees. Simply put, queer music professionals are ready to see real change happen for their community. Related Love Letters to the LGBTQ Community: Read the Notes From Doechii, UMI, Allison Ponthier… 06/01/2024 It’s a sentiment shared by the queer community at large today — while state legislatures around the U.S. have already introduced over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills, reporting shows that public reception of such legislation has shifted. The Human Rights Campaign released a polling memo in May, showing that according to a number of national polls, a majority of Americans agree that legislation against the LGBTQ+ community has gone too far. Yet in an industry where queer professionals feel they’re not being adequately platformed and a time where LGBTQ+ people are actively under attack, it sure feels like 2024 has been a banner year for queerness in music. Across genres and styles, LGBTQ+ artists have provided fans with some of the most-loved music of the last six months. Some queer artists have even managed to find massive success on the charts, a feat considered practically impossible in musical eras past. If the first few years of the 2020s marked a queer awakening in popular music, then 2024 may well serve as the start of an official queer renaissance. With so many excellent entries from LGBTQ+ musicians to choose from in 2024, which ones stand out amongst the rest? Below, Billboard staffers offer our picks of the 25 best songs from LGBTQ+ artists released in 2024. via Billboard https://ift.tt/3t6jFcM June 26, 2024 at 01:00PM