LGBTIQ+ List 2025:
Melissa Ferrick | Paladin Artists

"Access enables learning, learning creates knowledge, and knowledge fosters equity."

By IQ | 18 June 2025

(She/her) Agent, Paladin Artists Hybrid Boston, MA & New York, NY, USA https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-ferrick-68608b25/    Melissa Ferrick, a genre and gender-defying songwriter with a 30-year career, joins Paladin  Artists as an agent.

She is also a Professor of Practice at Northeastern University, teaching music business, songwriting, and creativity psychology. Melissa holds an Ed.M. from Harvard  University. 

 

Tell us about the professional feat you’re most PROUD of in 2025 so far. 

I am…

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LGBTIQ+ LIST 2025:

Mika Christoffersen

Roskilde Festival

"Book more equitably. Dare to give the mic to women, queers, minorities and use your platform intentionally to showcase talent from all walks of life."

Ryan Cameron

Wasserman Music

"Authenticity is key to finding the corner of the industry where you can be yourself, while also being an asset to those around you."

Kiana Rodriguez

The Zoo XYZ

"Find your people. Build community not just for support, but to collaborate and create real change together. Don’t shrink yourself to fit the room. Your identity is your strength."

Anouk Ganpatsing

Friendly Fire

"We need to start creating safer spaces for underrepresented voices. And not just on stage, but behind the scenes as well."

Jane Chen

Live Nation

"Live music is becoming a true global melting pot, and I think we’re just getting started. It’s only going to get more global, more diverse, and more connected in the coming years."

Dean Reynolds

Ginger Owl Productions

"Stepping into a culture so vastly different from my own pushed me far out of my comfort zone, igniting a thrilling sense of adventure."

Nicki Macleod

DF Concerts & Events

"Don’t feel you need to be stereotyped into behaving a certain way – your sexual orientation is only a small part of who you are."

Katie Cavanagh

AEG Presents

"The industry needs to truly prioritise diversity and representation, creating opportunities for underrepresented voices to be heard."

Glyn Fussell

Mighty Hoopla / Fifth Floor Mgmt

"When the world gets more scary and fucked up us queers really dig our heels in and push forward – we always have and always will."

Allie Gaylon

WME

"It’s my responsibility to make sure that my clients feel comfortable and safe on the road."

Amy Hylands

CAA

"I’m proud of the growth I’ve experienced and of becoming a reliable voice in rooms where I never expected to be heard so soon."

Judith Ritz

FKP Scorpio

"So many people are working hard to change the status quo in terms of diversity, equality and sustainability. Still a long way to go but I can’t wait to see even more progress."

Ben Tipple

Co-op Live

"Seeing Co-op Live grow from an early team often to emerging as one of the most-celebrated live entertainment destinations in Europe has undoubtedly been the pinnacle of my career to date."

Chris Jammer

Pri0r1ty Ai

"The live music business has to evolve from what it was, as in many cases, the model that once existed is now broken."

John Shortell

Musicians’ Union

"I’d love to see true diversity and representation across all sectors of the music industry. There are some big conversations happening, but we need those conversations to translate into action."

Oliver McGillick

Rock for People/O2 arena Prague/Czech Philharmonic

"While “everything is possible” is definitely the essence of the live industry, I think it’s always important to remember that every single person involved in the process is still just and only human."

Shaq Milli

UTA

"I live by the famous quote from RuPaul: 'If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?'"

Christopher Tweed-Kent

Ticketmaster

"Given how technology, and now AI, is changing our everyday lives, I think that live music is only going to become more essential as a way for people to connect with what makes us human."

Paul Kemp

Brighton & Hove Pride

"Don’t let ego spoil your creativity. Don’t be afraid to take risks and if you fail, it’s all part of the learning process. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it!"

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