11 all-women DJ collectives from across Latin America have signed and shared a statement denouncing gender-based violence and structural sexism in the music scene and beyond. The “Green Wave,” a swell of feminist activism in Latin America focused on legalizing abortion, may provide some context for the recent mobilization of women DJ collectives in the region.
Even though electronic dance music was born from BIPOC and LGBTQI+ communities, the current incarnation of dance music in North America is overwhelmingly white and male. This lack of diversity in dance music is no more present than on festival lineups across the United States. With the pandemic shutting down the live music industry, some members of the dance music community wondered if promoters would take this time to discover new artists and emerge from the ashes with diverse, innovative lineup offerings. As you dust off your dance shoes, let’s see how diversity on 2021 music festivals is tracking. Will 2021 welcome a shift in the festival rotation from previous years?
The fact that gender equality in House + Techno is a topic we still need to discuss in 2021 is in and of itself a massive red flag, and one we can’t keep ignoring or downplaying.
Widening the focus and breadth of its Keychange initiative, the PRS Foundation has announced plans to increase the scope of its efforts currently aimed at addressing the gender imbalance in music festival lineups.
With this pledge, the PRS Foundation’s work will include broader aspects of the music industry, targeting record labels, orchestras, conservatories, broadcasters, live music venues and agents.
