07 December 2017
Newsdesk
The Royal Albert Hall has today released research revealing the perceptions of gender inequality and discrimination in the music industry.
The research comes in advance of the charity’s much anticipated Women and the Hall festival that will play host to an eclectic programme from January to April 2018, examining the roles of women in Britain: past, present and future.
Of the 2000 British adults who were questioned about gender inequality, a third (33 per cent) believe there is sexism in the music industry.
A quarter (25 per cent) of Brits looking in from the outside feel that women do not have the same opportunities as men, when it comes to entering the music industry, and 40 per cent of women feel the industry is dominated by men.
Nearly half of women (45 per cent) believe that women are objectified within the music industry.
Over a third of women (36 per cent) feel there is sexism within the music industry, 17 per cent of men however, disagree - highlighting a stark contrast of experiences between the sexes.
Youngsters in the general public feel the most pessimistic about the situation, with almost a third (32 per cent) of 18-24 year olds not believing women have the same opportunities as men when it comes to breaking into the music industry.
“It is the responsibility of industry leaders, including the Royal Albert Hall, to ensure that music, and the arts more generally, is accessible to everyone, regardless of their gender”, commented Lucy Noble, Director of Events at the Royal Albert Hall.
With the poll revealing that the nation believes women are trailing behind men in opportunities and attitudes within the music industry, the Royal Albert Hall is championing women by celebrating all things female with the Women and the Hall festival, launching next year.
Ms Noble continued: “I am excited to begin the ‘Women and the Hall’ season which will give women the leading voice throughout an entire festival. Marking the 100th anniversary since women won the vote; the programme will celebrate the role women have played in shaping the history of both the Hall and the country and engage with important issues we face today.”
Talented performers from all genres and disciplines will be taking to the stage in early 2018 as part of the festival.
Highlights include comedian Deborah Frances-White who will record her comedy podcast, The Guilty Feminist, in front of a live audience, and cult spoken word event, That’s What She Said, to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Giving new female voices a platform the season will welcome Ayanna Witter-Johnson, black singer-songwriter and cellist, inspired by Ella Fitzergerald to the venue. Plus Deelee Dubé, who won the 2016 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, will take to the stage to celebrate Vaughan’s celebrated shows at the Hall in the 1950.
The Royal Albert Hall is proud of the part it played in providing a platform for the early Suffragette movement and is looking forward to welcoming Emmeline Pankhurst’s granddaughter, Helen Pankhurst, to take part in a live Q&A following a screening of Suffragette, starring Carey Mulligan, Meryl Streep and Helena Bonham Carter.
Ms Noble continued, “The Royal Albert Hall has a history of putting women at centre stage from hosting Suffragette demonstrations, to the World’s first Mini Skirt Ball in the 1960’s - the Spice Girls even shot their movie, ‘Spice World’, in the famous Hall. 2018’s festival is set to continue this celebration of women.
“We are proud to continue to celebrate women and equip them with the skills and resources to access the music industry and tackle the issue face on.”
For more information and to book tickets, please visit: www.royalalberthall.com
