The findings of the report emphasize the significance of representation for non-male musicians at live music events, safety in nightclubs, the boys club mentality still prominent at many venues and performances, and dance culture in general.
“I no longer wear ultra-revealing clothing…
Or, if I am, you can be certain I am in a gay bar.”
DJ Paulette, who has spent over three decades as a DJ and even longer in the dance music scene, told that her experience of sexual harassment at work has not only caused her to adjust her behavior but also to question her commitment to the industry.
DJ Paulette explains: “It’s difficult to admit, but I’ve been sexually abused on the job. I reported it, but nothing happened, so I changed… I have ceased wearing skirts and dresses. Because I’m aware that while I’m bending over on the decks, people will take photos of my skirt.
“Certain acquaintances of mine have a collection of photographs of my rear end, to which I respond, “Stop doing that!” That is forbidden.”
Since then, she has stipulated in her rider (a list of requests provided to the host venue before a performance) that no one may stand behind her while she is behind the decks.
She continues: “It did make me consider quitting DJing, and I’m like, ‘Why am I doing this? If people continue to treat me this way and believe they’ve paid for more than just my DJing skills, I’ll quit.”
It’s not unexpected that only 5% of the music in the charts is from women and non-binary artists given the prevalence of workplace assault.
Today’s research, Progressing Gender Representation in UK Dance Music, is the first to apply detailed qualitative and quantitative data to the many hurdles and problems experienced by non-male dance music musicians.
It sheds light on the prevalence of overt and covert discrimination in live venues, festivals, radio airplay, and record companies, as well as the issue of venue safety.
The research was spearheaded by radio presenter and DJ Jaguar, who was motivated to become a DJ after hearing Annie Mac on a radio dance show.
Jaguar informed: “What you cannot see, you cannot be. And if you look at the lineups and notice that the bulk of the headliners is guys, you will not find yourself represented.
“And that’s the same whether it comes to hearing songs on the radio, in streaming, or on the charts [which are only by female musicians], which is 5 percent on the charts and 1 percent on the radio, which is very minimal. As a radio host, this saddens me greatly.
“And if you don’t imagine yourself in that area, you won’t think, “Maybe I’ll learn how to make house music or get some decks and learn how to DJ.” The report revealed that people do not feel safe, visible, or welcome.”
She also explains the “boys club” ethos that has long been connected with the dance music industry “The majority of this employment is traveling late at night on your own, frequently to places where drunk individuals congregate.
“You enter the green room before your set, where there are frequently many people drinking and smoking.
Sexual assault is also rampant in the nightlife business, and it is something that has to be spoken more and regulated.
The paper examines the several ways in which covert and overt discrimination emerges in the live music industry and at festivals, as well as in radio airplay, streaming services, and record companies.
The study analyzed the lineups of 22 festivals from 2018 to 2022. (omitting 2020 due to the COVID pandemic). In 2018, female and non-binary acts comprised an average of barely 14% of line-ups. The gender ratio favored male musicians significantly.
This increased, but only to 21 percent in 2021. And despite the progress, the survey discovered that a set of musicians were regularly hired across line-ups, fluctuating from year to year, preventing a larger group of more varied acts from breaking through.
DJ Jaguar has established two initiatives to overcome such difficulties and provide new participants with a fighting chance at success.
Future1000 is a free online school that teaches girls, trans, and non-binary youth ages 12 to 18 how to DJ, compose music and break into the industry. This year, the program will be open to all age groups.
She also founded the Jaguar Foundation, whose mission is to make electronic music more accessible to all, and which oversaw the report’s publication.
Music journalist Nicola Davies, one of the report’s primary authors, stated that: “Obviously, the dance music industry does not operate in a vacuum. It exists inside the greater music industry, which reflects our culture as a whole. To truly affect change, we must collaborate with everyone…
“And it shouldn’t always be only the marginalized who shout and bang the drum. It must include everyone.”
As dance music increases its proportion of listening for the first time in eight years, as reported by the International Music Summit (IMS), its diversity and female representation are more crucial than ever.
And with the business worth $6 billion (£5 billion) globally when the world returns to normalcy after the pandemic, there will be more eyes and ears on the UK music scene in the future.
