Striking inequality: The gender divide in music persists

By Paris Desaunois
Anthropologist and Journalist

Despite growing awareness of gender inequality in the music industry, the playing field is far from level. In this exclusive feature for the upcoming issue of Radar Magazine, anthropologist and journalist Paris Desaunois explores how women continue to face underrepresentation, structural barriers and unsafe work environments – from festival frontlines to backstage roles.

We're publishing a hand-picked selection of previews online in the lead-up to our upcoming issue – stay tuned for more.

You’d think things are going really well with gender equality in the music industry… Right? Well, think again. Despite extensive discussions about gender equality in the music industry, new research by Live DMA, a European network of live music associations, paints a stark picture: women are still significantly underrepresented in nearly every aspect of the music sector. Once you start paying attention, the examples are everywhere.

According to the data, a striking 92% of headliners at European festivals are men. Even in smaller venues, only 30% of the performing artists are women. These numbers show more than just a lack of representation: they highlight the deep-rooted structural barriers that continue to disadvantage women.

“It remains very difficult for some festivals to commit in the way that we do,” says Robert Meijerink, Head Booker of ESNS. Since 2020, they’ve worked with a strict 50/50 quota for male- and female-fronted acts in their lineup. “Of course, it’s not always easy. We hear from metal festivals that say they can never achieve that kind of balance. But I believe it’s about having good intentions, and change starts with awareness.”

Women tend to overqualify themselves and complete multiple unpaid internships just to secure a foothold in the field. Job opportunities in the music sector are frequently accessed through informal networking and on-the-job learning – systems that inherently exclude newcomers, especially women. Even when women do break through, their skills are often questioned, and the workplace culture can feel unwelcoming. Slívová: “I've been with the company for 16 years, starting as a junior booker/assistant and working my way up. Getting the job was easy, but staying on top has been challenging. During this time, I had two kids and worked part-time, just to stay connected with the team. It was tough, but the company supported my decision, likely because they did not want to lose me as an experienced worker.”

These obstacles are not just professional: women in the music industry frequently report navigating unsafe and exploitative environments. At festivals and nightclubs, they face a heightened risk of sexual harassment and assault. Alarmingly, the responsibility for preventing such violence often falls on interns or unpaid staff, who typically lack the authority or training to intervene.

According to Live DMA, gender quotas could help increase the visibility of women in line-ups and decision-making roles. But quotas alone are not enough: real progress demands a cultural shift and investment in targeted initiatives, such as training programs, mentorship opportunities and the creation of safer, fairer working conditions. Slívová: “In the past, some men at festivals didn’t treat me as an equal partner. This was mostly with old-school production and tour managers. Thankfully, things are changing significantly: there are now more women in touring crews and artist management, and we’re receiving much more respect from our male colleagues.”