The music industry has long been criticized for its lack of diversity and representation, particularly when it comes to women. Cherym, a punk trio from Londonderry, is speaking out about the challenges they face as female musicians in a male-dominated industry.
Lead singer and guitarist Hannah Richardson explains, “When we first started in the music industry, it was pretty much a boys’ club. We were like, why can’t girls do it? There’s no reason why we can’t.” The band’s drummer and singer Allanagh Doherty adds that women are so overlooked in the industry that they are often mistaken for other bands’ girlfriends when they show up to gigs.
The recent line-up announcement for Slam Dunk festival, featuring only two acts with female musicians out of 20, has sparked disappointment and backlash from fans. This lack of representation is not a new issue, as research by the BBC in 2017 found that 80% of festival headliners were male.
Panic Shack, an alternative girl group from Cardiff, and ARXX, a Brighton duo, also share their experiences of facing gender bias in the music industry. They emphasize the importance of representation and diversity in giving aspiring artists the opportunity to explore different genres and styles of music.
As the conversation around gender equality in the music industry continues, it is clear that there is still much work to be done to ensure that women are given equal opportunities and recognition for their talent. The voices of Cherym, Panic Shack, ARXX, and other female musicians are a reminder that diversity and representation are essential for a thriving and inclusive music scene.
