Women in Dance Music Face Rampant Misogyny, Safety Concerns
IBIZA, Spain — As the electronic dance music (EDM) world gathers in Ibiza for the annual International Music Summit, a darker reality lurks beneath the celebratory surface. While dance music’s popularity continues to soar, female DJs and artists are increasingly vocal about the misogyny, online harassment, and safety concerns they face in the industry.
Katie Boyle, one half of the drum ‘n’ bass duo Koven, has been singing live while DJing for 12 years. Despite her experience and influence,she says she is constantly battling online trolls.”There is a real bad misogyny online against women,” Boyle said, adding that critics often refuse to “believe they’re doing what they say they’re doing, and that’s been quite a hard thing to combat.”
Boyle isn’t alone. Veteran DJ paulette, who boasts a 30-year career that includes a residency at Manchester’s Hacienda, has experienced persistent sexual harassment.”I’ve spent time in DJ booths where I’ve had a skirt on and peopel have been taking pictures up my skirt,” she recounted. “People think upskirting is a joke… and I got fed up with it.” Even when wearing shorts, “people [were] with their hands all over me,” she said. now, she sticks to trousers. “But we shouldn’t have to alter the way we look for the environment that we work in.”
The online abuse isn’t limited to harassment. “You get trolled for everything, for the way you look – if you put on weight, if you’ve lost weight,” Paulette said. worse still, she and others report being told that as of their gender, they have a “sell-by date,” even by those within the industry.
BBC Radio 1 broadcaster and DJ Jaguar, a co-host of this year’s International Music Summit, echoed thes concerns, pointing to the stark gender imbalance visible even in Ibiza’s promotional billboards. “You can get off the plane and look at the billboards around Ibiza and it’s basically white men – David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and they are unbelievable artists in their own right – but the women headliners, there’s barely any visibility of them, it’s awful.” She added, “I will not stop talking about it as it is indeed the reality.”
Safety is another meaningful issue.Boyle recounted a terrifying incident: “I had someone run on stage and completely grab me, hand down my top, down my trousers, while I was on the stage, which is crazy as you think that’s happening in front of an audience. I mean, this guy literally had to be plied off me.” The experience led her “I need to bring someone with me to most places’. I didn’t feel safe travelling around by myself.”
Jaguar also described feeling unsafe in backstage environments.”You’re in these green rooms, there’s a lot of people there, drinking and doing other things… and I’ve walked into green rooms where I felt incredibly uncomfortable, especially when I was a bit younger. I was on my own, it’s like 2am, and you have to watch yourself.” She added that she has female friends “who have had drinks spiked when they were DJing,” a reality her male friends don’t share.
The gender imbalance is also reflected in festival lineups. Creamfields, one of the U.K.’s largest dance festivals, remains one of the least representative, with last year’s lineup being more than 80% male. While specific data on U.S. festivals isn’t readily available, anecdotal evidence suggests a similar trend.
Laila MacKenzie, founder of Lady Of The House, a community that supports women in dance music, says the online negativity exacerbates the issue. “There is a real damaging factor how people can be really nasty online and really nasty in the media and how that actually may discourage and demotivate women from stepping forward into their talent,” she says.
#ForTheMusic: Organizations Promoting Women in U.S. Dance Music
Several U.S. organizations are working to combat these issues and promote women in dance music. Women in Music offers mentorship programs and networking opportunities, while SheSaid.So provides a global network for women in the music industry, including electronic music. Local chapters of these organizations,and also initiatives like Female frequency in New York City,offer workshops,showcase events,and resources for aspiring female DJs and producers.
The Counterargument: Is It All About Merit?
One counterargument frequently enough raised is that the music industry is a meritocracy, and artists are booked based solely on talent and market appeal. While talent is undoubtedly crucial, this argument overlooks the systemic biases and barriers that women face. These include:
Limited access to resources and networks: Women may have fewer opportunities to connect with influential industry figures or secure funding for their projects.
Stereotypes and unconscious bias: Promoters and venue owners may unconsciously favor male artists or underestimate the appeal of female djs.
Online harassment and safety concerns: As highlighted by Boyle and others, these factors can discourage women from pursuing their careers or limit their willingness to perform in certain environments. The “bro culture” of electronic music: Historically, EDM has been dominated by men. in the wake of the #MeToo reckoning, some would-be male allies privately express anxiety about mentorship and professional bonds with women.
Moving Forward: A Call for Change
For many women in dance music, “the negative and the toxic energy is just louder sometimes,” said Boyle. Addressing misogyny and ensuring safety requires a multi-faceted approach.This includes:
Increased portrayal: Promoters and festival organizers must make a conscious effort to book more female artists and create more diverse lineups.
Zero tolerance policies: Venues and events should implement clear policies against harassment and assault, and provide adequate security to protect performers and attendees.
Online moderation: Social media platforms and online communities need to be more proactive in addressing online abuse and holding perpetrators accountable.
Education and awareness: Raising awareness about the challenges women face in the industry can help to challenge stereotypes and promote a more inclusive culture.
FAQ
Q: What are the main challenges facing women in dance music?
A: Women in dance music face misogyny, online harassment, safety concerns (including sexual assault), and a lack of representation in festival lineups and industry positions.
Q: what can be done to support women in the electronic music industry?
A: Support includes promoting diversity and inclusion in lineups, implementing zero-tolerance policies against harassment, increasing online moderation, supporting organizations that help women, and raising awareness of the issues.
Q: Are there organizations that specifically support women in electronic music?
A: Yes, organizations like Women in Music, SheSaid.So, and Female Frequency offer mentorship, networking, and resources.
Q: What is Lady Of The House?
A: lady Of The House is a community that supports and encourages more women to get involved in dance music.
Q: Is online trolling a major concern for female DJs?
A: Yes, online trolling is a significant issue, frequently enough involving misogynistic and demeaning comments that discourage women from pursuing their careers.
