Lindsey Stirling Talks Gender Equality in the Electronic Music Scene

Lindsey Stirling Talks Gender Equality in the Music Industry

While on the Red Carpet during the Billboard Music Awards, musician Lindsey Stirling was stopped by a reporter to ask her a few questions.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMmXHj7oheg&w=560&h=315]

For those who don’t know her music, Lindsey Stirling is known as the “Dubstep Violinist”. She came to popularity when she became a quarter-finalist on Season 5 of America’s Got Talent in 2010, and gained more popularity with her debut album “Lindsey Stirling” in 2012.

She tells the reporter how difficult it was to put her music in a specific genre, saying “It’s definitely not classical” and “it’s definitely EDM inspired”. Stirling also notes how honored she is to be on the same level as artists like Kygo, The Chainsmokers, and Calvin Harris.

Later in the interview, she talks about how few artists in the Electronic Music scene are female. And I agree with her. There are very few successful female artists, and I have examples to prove my point.

(Disclaimer: This is an unbiased observation of genders, I have a lot of respect for the companies that put on these shows. These future shows, HSMF, Paradiso, etc. each have a huge lineup that I’m super impressed with.)

Hard Summer Music Festival 2017

I looked at the lineups for each day and found out approximately how many females were playing. On day 1, there are less than 8 scheduled to play, in relation to the other 20+ males scheduled to perform. On day two, I saw less than 5, against more than 20 males.

These Music Festivals Should Not Be Missed This Summer

Paradiso Music Festival 2017

I count only two artists that are female, Mija and Anna Lunoe. Ironically only two played last year as well, REZZ and Alison Wonderland.

These Music Festivals Should Not Be Missed This Summer

Bumbershoot 2017

Surprisingly, the ratio of Female artists to Male artists are closer than I’ve seen before. Lorde, Zara Larsson, Solange, and many more are scheduled to perform that weekend of September 1st.

For more information on Bumbershoot, Paradiso Festival, or Hard Summer Music Festival, use the links we’ve provided above.

Listen to Lindsey Stirling on Spotify Below!


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