A discussion on gender parity in the music industry
The music industry doesn’t offer the same workplace protections or gender parity that other industries do. Discussion at the Sonos ‘Listen Better' panel reflected this.
Taking place at Sonos House in Sydney, as part of the Sonos 'Listen Better' initiative, the panel featured:
- Dr Bianca Fileborn (UNSW)
- Dr Catherine Strong (RMIT)
- Helen Marcou (Save Live Australia’s Music)
- Jane Slingo (Founder Younger Strangers)
- Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore and Michelle Grace Hunder (HerSoundHerStory)
- Bex Davis (Listen)
- Cameron Lam (APRA AMCOS).
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
"...And perhaps we can do it in a way that's not trying to fix women".- Dr Rae Cooper.
Working toward eliminating sexual violence at music festivals is a top priority. Image: Georgia Moloney
Long-term change
Jane Slingo reinforced the importance of encouraging and fostering the careers of women in behind-the-scenes industry roles.
“I’m interested to see what programs are happening at school that aren’t about musicianship and artistry; I’d love to see programs that actually show career paths if you’re not an artist as well. Can we get the female managers; the female agents?”.
Showing young women and non-binary folk that there is a career path for them outside of performing is an incredibly integral part of the long term hope for change in the industry.
