DHP Family to host Women in Music event

Senior execs at DHP Family and Academy Music Group and the tour managers for London Grammar and Frank Turner will be among the women sharing their experiences of working in the male-dominated live music industry at next week’s Women in Music Event hosted by UK promoter DHP.

The event, on Wednesday 7 March at Rescue Rooms in Nottingham, will be introduced by Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body ALMR, and comprises panels featuring insights from women working in the business, as well as those advocating for change.

DHP Family’s Michele Philips says: “Our ambition is to shine a spotlight on the issues including, but not exclusive to, why women don’t apply for positions in venues anymore, and also provide a platform for positive change. We want to identify tangible things that can be done to address the shocking levels of gender imbalance that still exist throughout the industry.

“It feels like the right time for us to be trying to bring about change in our industry”

“The #MeToo movement has been incredibly powerful in that it’s given a voice to the marginalised, but also put the issue of inequality at the forefront of many discussions. It feels like the right time for us to be trying to bring about change in our industry, especially with it being 100 years since some women gained the right to vote. We should all be looking at ways in which we can make a difference.”

The company’s owner, George Akins, adds: “It’s really important to try and encourage more women to break into our industry. Nottingham is a hotbed for music companies: we have promoters, record companies, ticket agents and talent managers working across all genres of music on a national level. I really believe if we can address the imbalance in Nottingham it will have a strong effect across the country.

“Hopefully this event will show that there are roles and support for more women to get involved.”

For more information and a full line-up of panellists, visit the event’s Facebook page. To buy tickets, click here.

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